Phoenix, AZ Criminal Defense Attorney
There are more than 70 million people who have criminal records in the United States. That number is bound to rise in the future. With a large portion of criminal defendants unable to afford their own attorney, it is no surprise that the United States has the largest prison population in the world. With that in mind, it is important that any person facing criminal charges has expert legal representation. Though the attorneys that work as public defender’s office are just as educated and capable as private lawyers, they lack one of the legal profession’s most valuable commodities: time. A public defender is typically bogged down with many criminal defense cases. In some instances, public defenders handle between 80 and 100 cases per week; many of them ending in rushed and unfair plea bargains. Hiring a Glendale criminal defense attorney can dramatically increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome in your case.
Criminal Defense Attorney
Before you hire an attorney that specializes in criminal law, it is imperative that you know what a criminal defense lawyer can and cannot do. Your attorney has an overarching swath of legal maneuvers at their disposal. With regard to your particular trial, they are the player/coach, but you are the owner of the team. It is their duty to assess your case, inform you of your options and potential consequences, investigate the facts, interview witnesses, confer with the prosecution, and ultimately competently represent you in the court of law. A Glendale criminal defense attorney that does not work as a public defense attorney will have far fewer cases. As a result, they will be able to focus more time on your case as well as maintaining contact with their clients.
Types of Criminal Defense Cases That We Handle
At Future First Criminal Law, we represent clients faced with a variety of criminal charges. Listed below, you will find a list of some of our more prevalent cases. This is by no means an exhaustive list.
- Alcohol, marijuana, and other drug offenses
- Juvenile offenses
- Traffic and DUI offenses (more on DUI offenses below)
- Violent crimes
- Theft and trespassing offenses
- Weapons offenses
Though the conviction rate in the US is at an all time high of 93%, it is imperative to remember that most of those defendants were not represented by an independent professional practicing criminal defense lawyer.
DUI Defense
Arizona is one of the toughest states for DUI arrests and convictions. In addition, it has some of the strictest laws and punishments for defendants found guilty of driving under the influence. If you are convicted of a DUI offense in Arizona, you face: a mandatory 24 hours in jail, a minimum of $250 in fines and a license suspension of up to 90 days. These consequences are real and happen every day. In the event that you are pulled over, it’s imperative that you don’t bolster the prosecutorial case against you. Respectfully refuse to participate in the voluntary field sobriety exercises and the hand-held breathalyzer, and contact a criminal defense lawyer at your earliest opportunity.
At Future First Criminal Law, we have successfully represented many of our clients faced with DUI charges. We work hard to develop the best defense approach to get our clients’ DUI charges reduced or dropped. While this will not be the case for every client that we represent, it will be for many. DUI charges are matters that we take seriously. Your social, professional and financial life is in the balance, not to mention your freedom. If you are faced with a DUI charge in Arizona, it is imperative that you work with an experienced Glendale criminal defense attorney.
When Do You Need A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Arizona criminal defense law is complex. Not only is a complete understanding of the law necessary, your attorney must have an understanding of the judge’s temperament, bench record, and the past cases that have set precedence. Your attorney must also be able to recognize the potential errors in procedure that the prosecutor may be guilty of. Listed below, you will learn the circumstances that warrant intervention from an independent criminal defense attorney:
- You have been charged with a crime – Whenever you are charged with a criminal offense, we strongly encourage you to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.
- You are appealing a criminal conviction – The law gives explicit directions and rules regarding appeals. If the process is not done correctly, it can foil your chances of overturning the conviction.
- You are guilty of the crime – Contrary to popular belief, guilty people need and deserve representation. If you have committed a crime, hiring a Glendale criminal defense attorney can help to negotiate reduced charges or a lighter punishment.
If you don’t care about the outcome of the case, it’s the only time that you wouldn’t need a criminal defense lawyer to handle your misdemeanor or felony charges.
The Sixth Amendment has given every citizen in the United States the right to legal representation. However, it does not guarantee that the public defenders will not be overworked and undercompensated. It is critical to your legal defense to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Glendale that has the time and know how to appropriately represent you.
Why Choose Future First Criminal Law?
At Future First Criminal Law we have years of successful experience in the courtroom. What sets us apart; our attorneys have experienced life as both the attorney and defendant. In his youth, Zachary Divelbiss was charged with crimes and even spent time in jail. At this time he realized that there was an inordinate amount of people of color, impoverished individuals, etc. that were being convicted of crimes because they did not have appropriate representation. We started this law firm to represent the very people that have far too often been overlooked by society and are all but guaranteed to be convicted of a crime unless they work with a talented and knowledgeable attorney that specializes in criminal defense law. If you would like to receive your free consultation, contact us today.