Whenever an alleged victim is critically injured or killed, the criminal justice system demands those responsible be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. For this reason, violent crimes carry some of the harshest criminal penalties.
If you have been accused either because you made a terrible mistake or are innocent of allegations against you, you are going to need a reputable Chandler violent crimes lawyer to help you safeguard your future.
Our team of former law enforcement officials, investigators, and prosecutors have extensive knowledge and insight into how the state may proceed with the charges against you. We can use this information to your advantage and potentially help you circumvent a conviction.
Contact an experienced Chandler criminal defense lawyer at Suzuki Law Offices to request a free consultation today to learn more about the penalties associated with violent crimes and what to expect as your case plays out.
Violent Crimes are More Serious Than Other Offenses
Violent crimes are some of the most serious criminal offenses you can be accused of. These charges are almost always prosecuted as felonies, partly because victims are often critically injured or killed.
However, violent crime charges can also apply if you threaten to use force or actually use a dangerous or deadly weapon in an attempt to hurt someone else.
According to the Arizona crime statistics annual report, there were 29,767 violent crime cases across the state of Arizona in 2023. As of November 2024, there were 20,912 violent crime cases across the state. Locally, there were 504 violent crime cases in Chandler in 2023 and 288 violent crime cases so far in 2024.
With numbers this high, it is easy to see why the district attorney, police, and criminal justice system take violent crime charges so seriously. The goal is to punish offenders for egregious conduct.
But that does not mean that prosecutors always identify the right perpetrator, which is why you need a dedicated Chandler violent crimes attorney from Suzuki Law Offices to protect your rights.
Criminal Penalties Could Be Life-Altering
One of the reasons violent crime charges should be taken so seriously is that the consequences of a conviction are often catastrophic. For a low-level misdemeanor violent crime, you could be looking at 30 days in jail and maybe a $500 fine. However, even class one misdemeanors can carry over $2,000 in fines and up to six months in jail.
Repeat offenders can expect enhanced penalties. If you have multiple convictions on your record, the charges against you may be elevated to a more serious offense.
Additionally, you could face stacked criminal charges if the prosecutor alleges that you committed multiple violent crimes in a single event.
Incarceration
It will be up to your Chandler violent crimes lawyer to ensure you understand exactly what you are facing. Felony violent crime charges are far more serious than misdemeanors, so they will also carry more serious penalties.
As described by the Supreme Court State of Arizona Criminal Code Sentencing Provisions, the sentence you could face based on the class of your felony violent crimes charges include:
- Class two felony – Up to 21 years in prison.
- Class three felony – Up to 15 years in prison.
- Class four felony – Up to eight years in prison.
- Class five felony – Up to four years in prison.
- Class six felony – Up to three years in prison.
The most serious violent crimes, including manslaughter, aggravated assault, and murder, may carry even longer prison sentences. You could be looking at life without the possibility of parole if you are found guilty of murder.
You will also need to contend with the collateral consequences, which include being deprived of your family, living a considerable amount of your life behind bars, and being denied other freedoms you may have previously taken for granted.
The Death Penalty
First-degree murder is the most serious crime you can be accused of committing. Unfortunately, one of the riskiest parts of having a first-degree murder case go to trial is the risk of the death penalty.
The murder in question must have involved an aggravating circumstance and be premeditated for the death penalty to be available as described under ARS § 13-751.
Your Chandler armed robbery defense lawyer will do everything possible to get the death penalty taken off the table. In some cases, this may involve working out a plea agreement with the district attorney. You may need to agree to plead guilty to a lesser offense to avoid a death penalty conviction.
However, it will be up to you as to whether you want to accept the prosecution’s plea offer. Ultimately, the jury must unanimously agree to impose the death penalty. If the jury cannot come to a collective decision, expect a retrial.
Your Chandler Violent Crimes Attorney Can Represent You on Appeal
If you are found guilty in criminal court, that does not mean you need to simply accept your sentence. You have the right to appeal the jury decision as described under ARS § 13-4031. This is your constitutional right.
Our team will consider the circumstances of your case to determine which type of appeal is most appropriate for your case. Sometimes, a post-conviction relief petition is appropriate while other times, filing a petition for writ of habeas corpus makes more sense. From there, we can file our notice of appeal.
According to the Arizona Courts’ Criminal Appeals Overview, the notice of appeal must be filed within 20 days of your sentencing. Our team will go through your case with a fine-toothed comb, looking for legal nuances, details that may have been overlooked, or other mistakes that could have been made that could get your conviction overturned. If your appeal is successful, we may need to prepare for a retrial.
Hire a Reputable Violent Crimes Lawyer in Chandler for Help Today
When you are facing life behind bars with no chance of being able to live your life as a free person, having a compelling defense strategy at the ready is crucial.
You cannot afford to trust your case to a public defender who lacks the resources, energy, and time to devote to your defense. It is time for you to take your defense strategy seriously.
Enlist the services of a high-powered violent crimes attorney in Chandler from Suzuki Law Offices. We approach your case with integrity, purpose, and in earnest.
If you are ready to take back control of your life but are unsure of where to begin, start by filling out our quick contact form or calling our office to schedule a confidential consultation as soon as today.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form