Gun and weapons charges in Arizona carry serious penalties and long-term consequences. Your Avondale gun and weapons crime defense lawyer with Suzuki Law Offices can help you understand what is at stake and what options may be available.
Our founding attorney, RJ Suzuki, is a former federal prosecutor. He and our Avondale violent crimes lawyers know how to build a defense that holds up in court. Contact our team today to discuss your case in a confidential consultation.
Gun and Weapons Charges We Regularly Defend in Avondale
Arizona law treats all weapons-related offenses seriously, even if it is your first time being accused of a crime. The specifics of your charge often determine whether the case is handled as a misdemeanor or a felony. Our team is here to help you make sense of what the charges mean and what your defense options might look like.
Prohibited Possession and Unlawful Use of Firearms
You can be charged with a serious crime just for having a firearm if the state believes you are not legally allowed to own one. That can include people with prior felony convictions, certain restraining orders, or even some mental health-related restrictions. These cases often involve a mix of state and federal rules, and it is easy to get caught off guard.
Your Avondale gun and weapons crime defense attorney from Suzuki Law Offices can help sort out whether the restriction actually applies to you. We review your history, the evidence, and the state’s justification for the charge. Our goal is to challenge what does not hold up and protect your rights from the start.
Misconduct Involving Weapons and Improper Transportation
Weapons charges often come up when someone is accused of carrying a gun where they should not have. That might be in a school zone, a public building, or concealed without a proper permit. Even if you did not intend harm, the state can still move forward with prosecution.
We also see cases where the issue is how the weapon was stored or transported in a vehicle. Arizona law has specific rules about accessibility, loaded chambers, and who is in the car. Our firm can help you clarify what really happened and push back when the charge does not fit the facts.
Using or Brandishing a Weapon During an Argument
Tempers flare, and sometimes a firearm is displayed in a way that makes others uncomfortable or alarmed. If someone reports that you pointed a gun, raised it during a dispute, or threatened to use it, the charge can escalate fast, even if the weapon was never fired. These cases often hinge on word-versus-word accounts and the interpretation of fear or intent.
We understand how emotional situations can be misrepresented in police reports. Our team will look at the video, witness statements, and context that might explain what actually happened. When your side of the story is ignored, we make sure it is heard.
Committed to providing exceptional legal service to each and every client through integrity, compassion and experience.
Get StartedArizona Penalties for Firearms Offenses and How They Escalate
Arizona law has harsh sentencing guidelines for weapons crimes. Penalties can escalate if the weapon was used during another crime or if the defendant has a criminal record. Knowing how these charges are classified is the first step toward understanding what you are up against.
Misdemeanor Charges vs. Felony Weapons Offenses in Arizona
Some firearms charges are misdemeanors, such as carrying a concealed weapon without a permit in a restricted area. Prosecutors may elevate the charge to a felony depending on where it happened, whether you have a prior record, or if another crime occurred at the same time.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3102, there are different categories of misconduct involving weapons, with varying penalties for each. Your Avondale criminal defense lawyer can help clarify the level of offense based on your circumstances. Felonies carry much harsher consequences than misdemeanors, including prison time and the loss of civil rights.
Sentencing Enhancements for Weapons Used During Other Crimes
Weapons charges often get added to other offenses, especially in violent crime cases. If a gun was present during an assault, robbery, or drug offense, prosecutors may seek a dangerous offense enhancement. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-704, the state allows for longer sentences and mandatory minimums when a firearm is involved in a qualifying crime.
These enhancements make it harder to negotiate plea deals and increase the risk of lengthy prison terms. Your Avondale misdemeanors defense lawyer can help determine whether the enhancement applies and what options are available. We look for errors in the charge and work to challenge enhancements that are not backed by strong evidence.
Federal Charges and Felony Firearm Restrictions
Some weapons cases cross over into federal court, especially when they involve interstate transport or restricted individuals. A person with a prior felony conviction who is caught with a firearm may face federal charges even if the weapon never left the state. These cases can carry mandatory prison time and are prosecuted more aggressively.
Our firm has experience handling both state and federal weapons offenses. We can help you understand how Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-702 applies to sentencing at the state level and when federal laws might come into play. When your freedom is on the line, you need a defense strategy that covers every angle.
Lawyer Near Me 602-682-5270Defenses Available in Arizona Gun and Weapons Cases
Just because you were arrested does not mean you will be convicted. The prosecution has to prove every element of the charge, and that is not always easy. Depending on what happened, there may be several possible defenses that apply to your case, such as:
- Lack of intent
- Mistaken identity
- Unlawful search and seizure
- Failure to read rights
- Misidentified weapon
- Possession by someone else
- Expired permit not knowingly carried
- Lack of criminal history
Some defenses are tied to how the police collected evidence or handled the arrest. Others come down to things like whether witnesses are believable or whether the footage or lab results match the story. Your Avondale gun and weapons crime defense attorney from Suzuki Law Offices will do everything in our power to build the strongest defense possible.
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Your Gun and Weapons Crime Defense Lawyer in Avondale is Here to Help
These cases can feel isolating, especially when you are unsure of what to expect next. Your gun and weapons crime defense attorney in Avondale with Suzuki Law Offices is ready to step in, answer your questions, and help you make sense of what comes next.
Speak with someone who understands how these cases work by contacting us today to learn about why we are your voice in action.
Call or text 602-682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form