When someone is charged with child molestation, the fear sets in fast. Your freedom, your reputation, and your life as you know it all hang in the balance. You need a child molestation lawyer in Glendale who will be honest with you, stay calm when things get hard, and actually fight for you at every turn.
Suzuki Law Offices has been defending clients since 2007. Our lead attorney, RJ Suzuki, is a former federal prosecutor, which means he knows exactly how these cases are built and where they can be challenged.
Our Glendale sex crimes lawyers are available 24/7, including weekends, and we treat every client like family. When the stakes are this high, you need Suzuki.
Defining Child Molestation Charges in Glendale, Arizona
Before you begin the process of fighting back against the child molestation charges you were facing, it is important to know what those charges entail. Child sex abuse charges can cover a broad range of crimes, each with its own particular sentences and penalties.
Child molestation is defined under Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1410 as intentionally or knowingly engaging in or causing a person under the age of 15 to engage in sexual contact, excluding sexual intercourse. Additionally, keep in mind that these charges become much more severe the younger the child is.
What are the Consequences of a Conviction?
A conviction can result in:
- Mandatory prison time with no possibility of probation or early release in many cases
- Lifetime sex offender registration under the Arizona Sex Offender Registration Act
- Lifetime probation following release in certain cases
- Loss of civil rights, including the right to vote and possess firearms
- Permanent damage to your career, housing options, and personal relationships
Because the consequences are so severe, the quality of your legal defense matters enormously from the very first day.
If you are facing these specific charges, keep in mind that you may have grounds for a defense, which your Glendale criminal defense lawyer can help you build. You do not have to accept these charges without defending yourself, especially with a legal advocate on your side to help you build a strong case.
Why the Investigation Phase Matters So Much
In child molestation cases, the investigation that happens before charges are even filed can influence everything that comes after. What you say and how evidence is collected all become part of the case record.
This is why calling a child molestation attorney in Glendale as early as possible is so important. The moment you suspect you are under investigation, or the moment an accusation is made, you should have legal representation in place.
At Suzuki Law Offices, we have former law enforcement investigators on staff who know how these investigations are conducted from the inside. They know what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to build a factual record that supports your defense.
Child Molestation Convictions: What Penalties to Expect
When you are charged with child molestation, the penalties can be harsh. This is a Class 2 felony, meaning you are already looking at a prison sentence, not including the many other penalties that may be placed against you if you are convicted of the sexual abuse of a child. That can upend the rest of your life and your future.
Understanding the scope of the penalties you may face for a child molestation conviction is important to prepare for your case. If you are unsure what to expect or whether fighting back is worthwhile, understanding what happens if you do not can help provide perspective on your case. Fortunately, your attorney can help you pursue a powerful defense that meets your needs.
Sentencing for Child Molestation Charges
When you are facing child molestation charges, keep in mind that you are dealing with a Class 2 felony and a Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC) charge (ARS § 13-705), meaning your penalties may be much harsher. Even a first-time offense may lead to a prison sentence of 10 to 24 years. This does not include the harsh fines you may also face.
One of the most serious parts of the DCAC charges is the lack of parole opportunities. That means if you are convicted and sentenced for child molestation, you will have to face the entirety of the sentence before you are released. In some cases, that can be as severe as a lifetime penalty.
Collateral Consequences for Convictions of Child Sexual Abuse and Molestation
If you are convicted of child molestation, the penalties do not end when you complete your sentence. You may have been released from prison and paid your fines, but you still have a criminal record now. That criminal record can haunt you and impact your reputation for years to come.
When you are charged with a felony like this, that information is available during the background check. That is something employers, landlords, and banks can all see during a routine background check. Often, this leads to denials of the many resources you need to live comfortably, making it the best way to protect your future.
This is not to mention the sex offender registry, which can follow you for decades or a lifetime. When convicted of child molestation, it is mandatory to register as a sex offender. That means you will have to follow strict residency requirements to notify people that you are a sex offender, among other penalties.
What About Pretrial Diversion and Plea Agreements?
As clients consider their options to defend themselves against a child molestation case, they may feel they have no other opportunities, and the case is open-and-shut. In these situations, they may seek out a plea agreement or pretrial diversion to avoid much harsher penalties.
Keep in mind that Arizona does not allow pretrial diversion for crimes as serious as child molestation charges. Even so, your Glendale child molestation defense attorney may be able to determine whether you are eligible for a plea agreement.
In these cases, the prosecution may offer a lesser charge or lighter sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, information, or other reasons. However, if you have a chance to avoid these charges entirely, we are here to build the strongest defense possible for your case.
Why Choose the Glendale Child Molestation Lawyer Team at Suzuki Law Offices
Facing child sexual abuse charges or other sex crimes in Arizona is not the time to settle for an attorney who is still learning. Felony charges under Arizona law carry serious prison sentences, and the legal process moves quickly once charges are filed.
Choosing the right sex crimes lawyer from the start can make an impact on how your case unfolds.
He Has Been on Both Sides of the Courtroom
RJ Suzuki is a former Assistant United States Attorney, a prosecuting attorney who spent years building sex crimes and criminal law cases for the federal government. He knows how prosecutors evaluate evidence, structure their arguments, and approach cases involving child sexual abuse charges.
That experience means he can anticipate the prosecution’s strategy before it develops and build your defense around it. Very few child molestation lawyers in Glendale can say that.
Former Law Enforcement Investigators on Staff
Most law firms refer the investigation work out. We handle it in-house. Our investigators are former law enforcement professionals who spent their careers conducting exactly the kinds of investigations that lead to felony charges like these.
We know how evidence is gathered, where procedural errors happen, and what red flags in the investigation could work in your favor. When we review your case, we are drawing on decades of real experience in criminal law, not textbook knowledge.
We Protect Your Legal Rights From Day One
Your legal rights apply from the moment you are contacted by law enforcement. Many people unknowingly say things that hurt their case before an attorney is ever involved. We make sure that does not happen.
From understanding the statutes of limitations that apply to your case, to evaluating whether a plea bargain makes sense, to preparing for trial, we guide you through every stage of the legal process.
We are Available When You Need Us
Felony charges and sex crimes investigations do not follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends. If something happens on a Saturday night, you should be able to reach your attorney. With Suzuki Law Offices, you can.
We Treat You Like Family
From the moment you sign with us, you receive a welcome email with your attorney’s contact information, your paralegal’s contact information, and a clear outline of what to expect next. You will not be left wondering who to call or what happens next. We make sure you know exactly where things stand from day one.
You Will Always Know Where Your Case Stands
We stay on top of communication because we know that uncertainty is one of the hardest parts of going through something like this.
Waiting for updates, not knowing what is happening with your case, and feeling like you are in the dark should not be part of your experience here. We reach out to you. You should never have to chase us down for answers.
What if the Accusation is Completely False?
False accusations happen more often than most people expect, and prosecutors treat them with the same urgency as any other sexual assault claim. An accusation alone can trigger an arrest and a legal process that moves fast regardless of the truth.
The system does not automatically sort out what really happened. That is the job of your defense attorney. We start by investigating the source of the allegations. Who made them and when? Are there inconsistencies in the timeline or the statements given?
Accusations involving vulnerable individuals, such as special needs students, or allegations made against clergy members or people of a certain social status can carry added complexity and bias that needs to be examined carefully.
Our Glendale criminal defense attorney team includes former law enforcement investigators who know how to identify those inconsistencies and build your defense around verified facts.
Seek Clear, Specific Legal Guidance From Our Child Molestation Attorneys in Glendale
When you are accused of a crime as serious as this, it can impact your life for the foreseeable future. Your life may be thrown into turmoil by these charges, and it can tear your family apart. Because of this, it is more important than ever to fight back when you are accused of crimes like these.
Your child molestation defense lawyer in Glendale at Suzuki Law Group understands how important your defense is, and we are here to provide a thorough investigation and defense for the charges you are facing.
Our team offers the tools needed to seek a reduction in the charges you were facing or potentially a complete dismissal of these charges. If you’re still wondering why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer, reach out for a consultation by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form