If you’re charged with aggravated assault, you’re facing years in prison, devastating fines, and a felony record that will impact your employment, housing, and fundamental rights for the rest of your life. The uncertainty and fear can be paralyzing, but you don’t have to navigate this crisis alone.
At Suzuki Law Offices, we‘re your voice in action, ready to defend your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Our aggravated assault defense lawyers in Maricopa are ready to help you with your case.
When you need a Maricopa violent crimes defense lawyer who combines legal experience with genuine compassion, we’re here for you. We provide excellence through passion, compassion, integrity, and experience—and we’re available 24/7, even on weekends.
The Spectrum of Aggravated Assault Charges in Arizona
Arizona law recognizes multiple pathways to aggravated assault charges under A.R.S. § 13-1204, each carrying different felony classifications and sentencing ranges. Causing serious physical injury constitutes one form of aggravated assault.
Our Maricopa criminal defense lawyers will scrutinize the evidence to challenge whether injuries truly meet Arizona’s legal definition of “serious physical injury.” This requires showing the injury created a reasonable risk of death, caused serious permanent disfigurement, or resulted in protracted loss or impairment of bodily function.
Using a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument during an assault automatically elevates the offense to aggravated assault. Deadly weapons are objects designed to cause death, like firearms or knives. Dangerous instruments are objects that, as used or threatened to be used, are capable of causing death or serious injury.
Who Accuses You of Assault Matters
Assaulting peace officers, firefighters, teachers, healthcare professionals, prosecutors, or code enforcement officers engaged in their duties results in aggravated charges regardless of injury severity.
The prosecution must prove you knew or reasonably should have known the victim’s protected status, creating potential defenses when circumstances were chaotic, or the victim was off-duty or not in uniform.
Investigating the Circumstances Surrounding Your Case
The circumstances leading up to the alleged assault often reveal defenses that aren’t immediately apparent from police reports or prosecution filings. Our Maricopa aggravated assault defense lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the full story of what happened and why.
Prior conflicts, threats made by the victim, or a history of aggression from the victim can support self-defense claims. Text messages, social media posts, and witness accounts of previous interactions help establish this history. Sometimes the alleged victim has a pattern of provoking confrontations or making false accusations.
The location and timing of the incident also matter. Was this a chance encounter or did one party seek out the other? Were you in a place you had a legal right to be, or were you trespassing? Was the area well-lit with good visibility, or was it dark and chaotic? These details affect whether your perception of threat was reasonable.
Challenging Police Investigation Methods
The initial police response sets the tone for the entire investigation. We’ll ask questions like:
- Did officers properly separate witnesses to prevent them from coordinating stories?
- Did they photograph the scene thoroughly, including evidence that might support your defense?
- Were all potential witnesses identified and interviewed?
Arrest procedures must comply with constitutional requirements. Police need probable cause to arrest you, meaning they must have reasonable grounds to believe you committed the offense. Illegal arrests can result in case dismissal or suppression of evidence obtained after the unlawful arrest.
Interrogation tactics sometimes violate your constitutional rights. Police must advise you of your Miranda rights before custodial interrogation. They cannot coerce confessions through threats, promises, or prolonged interrogation designed to wear you down. We review interrogation recordings to identify violations that would require suppression of your statements.
Negotiating From a Position of Strength
We don’t advise accepting plea offers until we’ve fully investigated your case and understand exactly what leverage exists. Many prosecutors make initial offers expecting defendants to accept quickly, but these offers often improve significantly when faced with strong defenses.
Charge reductions represent the most valuable negotiated outcomes. Reducing aggravated assault to simple assault eliminates felony consequences and dramatically reduces potential jail time. This keeps a felony conviction off your record and preserves your civil rights.
Sentence negotiations can secure probation instead of prison time, allowing you to remain in the community under supervision. For cases where some incarceration is inevitable, we negotiate for the shortest possible sentences with credit for time served.
Why Clients Choose Our Maricopa Aggravated Assault Defense Attorneys
Our reputation for aggressive, effective defense representation comes from 30 years of successfully defending clients throughout Arizona. We’ve handled thousands of criminal cases and built relationships with prosecutors and judges across the state.
The combination of prosecutorial experience and law enforcement backgrounds on our team gives us an advantage. We understand how the other side thinks and operates because many of us have been on the other side. Our team includes former and retired law enforcement investigators who know how police build cases and where mistakes typically occur.
We explain legal concepts in plain language, answer your questions promptly, and keep you informed about developments in your case. We‘re always available when you need to reach us—24/7, including weekends and holidays—because we understand how stressful criminal charges are.
Contact Us Today for Your Defense
Facing these charges requires immediate action. The prosecution is already working to build its case against you, gathering evidence and preparing for trial. Every day without experienced legal representation puts you at a disadvantage. You need Suzuki to protect your rights.
Call Suzuki Law Offices now for a confidential consultation with our aggravated assault defense lawyers in Maricopa. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your situation and begin developing your defense strategy. Don’t let these charges destroy your life when experienced help is just a phone call away.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form