If you have been charged with a criminal offense, I know just how helpless it can feel.
Depending on the offense, you could be facing either a misdemeanor or a felony. A Class 1 misdemeanor is the most serious of misdemeanor offenses and is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and 3 years of probation.
From sexual assault to white-collar crimes, you will never get fed a line of bull from me, just straightforward truth depending on the circumstances of your case, possible defenses, and potential outcomes. We take on a wide variety of defense cases, including...
In each case that I defend, no matter what charges my Client is facing, the goal is always to get the state to dismiss their case long before the trial or to negotiate a plea agreement that benefits the person who made a mistake.
Experience in the Courtroom matters!
Since 2011, I have built my career defending clients accused of serious criminal offenses.
Assertive in the courtroom and when questioning my clients, I may not appear like the most empathetic person that they've ever met. However, when facing the challenge of a lifetime in prison with the severe allegations afforded against them, your situation can't and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Regardless of how my bedside manner is perceived, you can rest assured that my passion for defending my clients runs deep.
Aggravated Assault
Did you know that Aggravated assault is considered a felony in Phoenix, AZ?
Depending on the severity of the offense and if it involved a weapon or the intent to commit a severe crime, the absence of those factors, you may be charged with simple assault, considered a misdemeanor.
The list of penalties below is listed in order of the most severe to the least. If the offense is charged as Dangerous, prison would be mandatory if convicted of a dangerous aggravated assault.
Class 2 aggravated assault
Prison term of up 7-21 years. Minimum (Presumptive) sentence Is 10.5 years
Class 3 aggravated assault
Term of up to 15 years. Minimum (Presumptive) sentence is 7.5 years
Class 4 aggravated assault
Prison term of 4 to 8 years. The minimum (Presumptive) sentence is 6 years.
Class 5 aggravated assault
Prison terms of 2 to 4 years. The minimum (Presumptive) sentence is 3 years.
Class 6 aggravated assault
Prison terms of 18 months to 3 years. The minimum (Presumptive) sentence is 27 months.
Burglary Defense
Burglary in Arizona is considered a felony offense. A criminal act that will permanently be on your record, you may also serve jail time, face potential restitution, fees, fines, and other imposed penalties.
All burglary charges in Arizona are classified as felonies. A conviction has a potential sentence that exceeds one year in state prison.
First Degree Burglary (Residential)
A class 2 felony offense, first-degree burglary is punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison, 7 years of probation, and a fine of $150,000 plus surcharges.
First Degree Burglary (Commercial)
A class 3 felony offense, first-degree burglary is punishable by up to 8.75 years in prison, 5 years of probation, and a $150,000 and surcharges.
Second Degree Burglary
Sentencing for second-degree burglary penalties varies based on the violent or non-violent offense.
A class 3 felony offense is punishable by up to 8.75 years in prison, 5 years of probation, and a $150,000 and surcharges.
Third Degree Burglary
A class 4 felony for third-degree burglary is punishable by a maximum punishment is 3.75 years in prison, 4 years of probation, and a fine of $150,000 plus surcharges.
Possession of Burglary Tools (s)
Class 6 felony for possession of burglary tools carries a maximum punishment of 2 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation, and a $150,000 fine and surcharges.
In addition to the penalties above, you will also be subject to social consequences.
A felony conviction means that you could also lose your job, be turned down for a job, professional licenses and certifications can be suspended or revoked. You'll lose your right to vote and your Second Amendment right to own and possess a firearm.
Domestic Violence
Arizona defines domestic violence as a criminal, abusive act performed by a member of a family or a household upon another member. Domestic relationships include spouses, former spouses, children, present and previous intimate partners, dating relationships, and elderly residents.
Furthermore, the Maricopa County Attorney's office says 90 percent of domestic violence cases are prosecuted as the most serious of the misdemeanor offenses, and the penalties are as follows.
Punishable by up to six months in jail
$2,500 in Fines plus surcharges
Domestic violence classes (Up to 52 hours)
A second domestic violence conviction allows prosecutors to ask for a harsher sentence.
A third conviction may be charged as a more severe felony with time in state prison and more substantial fines.
Drug Possession Charges
If you have been charged with possession of drugs in Phoenix, AZ, the consequences are severe, even if it's your first-time offense. Ranging from a Class 1 felony, which is the most severe to a Class 6, which is the least critical, you are facing felony charges.
Class 6 felony
Class 6 felony carries a maximum punishment of 2 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation, and a $150,000 fine and surcharges.
Class 6 felonies can include charges such as possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, aggravated D.U.I., theft, and possession of marijuana.
Class 5 felony
A class 5 felony offense carries a maximum punishment of 2.5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation, and a $150,000 fine and surcharges.
Some examples of class 5 felony offenses include theft of a credit card, unlawful flight from law enforcement, criminal damage, theft, and aggravated assault on a police officer.
Class 4 felony
A class 4 felony is punishable by a maximum punishment is 3.75 years in prison, 4 years of probation, and a fine of $150,000 plus surcharges.
Class 4 felony offenses include aggravated D.U.I., possession of narcotic drugs, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons, forgery, identity theft, and burglary.
Class 3 felony
A class 3 felony offense is punishable by up to 8.75 years in prison, 5 years of probation, and a $150,000 and surcharges.
Examples of class 3 felony offenses include theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, possession of marijuana for sale, theft, burglary, aggravated robbery, and trafficking stolen property.
Class 2 felony
A class 2 felony offense is punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison, 7 years of probation, and a fine of $150,000 plus surcharges.
Class 2 felony offenses include possession of narcotic drugs for sale, possession of dangerous drugs for sale, manslaughter, aggravated assault, sexual assault, child prostitution, armed robbery, assisting a criminal street gang, burglary, discharging a firearm, theft and fraudulent schemes.
Class 1 felony
A class 1 felony offense is the most serious crime a person can be charged with, and it is reserved for murder charges only.
A class 1 felony carries a minimum of 25 years to life and has a maximum penalty of the death penalty.
Drug Trafficking
In the state of Arizona, if you have been charged with distributing, or trafficking a controlled substance with intent to sell, you will be facing a felony. Felony offenses are the most severe criminal charges you can face in Arizona.
Dangerous Drug Distribution/Sales/Trafficking/Transportation/Manufacture Penalties
If found guilty of selling dangerous drugs you will be facing a class 2 felony.
Class 2 felony penalties
Punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison
7 years of probation
Fine of $150,000 plus surcharges
Furthermore, if you are convicted of selling methamphetamine (meth) you will be sentenced to a minimum of 5 years with a maximum of 15 years behind bars.
If found guilty or selling, transporting, production, or distributing marijuana, the punishments vary based on weight.
Possession of under two pounds of marijuana can be a:
Class 6 felony if it’s found to be for personal use
Class 4 felony if it’s for sale
Class 5 felony if it was personally produced
Class 3 felony if it’s transported or imported into Arizona
Possession of two to four pounds of marijuana can be a:
Class 5 felony if it’s for personal use
Class 3 felony if it’s for sale
Class 4 felony if it was personally produced
Class 2 felony if it’s transported or imported into Arizona
Possession of four or more pounds of marijuana can be a:
Class 4 felony if it’s for personal use
Class 2 felony if it’s for sale
Class 3 felony if it was personally produced
Class 2 felony if it’s transported or imported into Arizona
Narcotic Drug Distribution Penalties
Arizona’s narcotic drugs law, ARS 13-3408, makes it illegal to possess, use, administer, acquisition, sale, manufacture or transportation of dangerous drugs.
A conviction for selling a narcotic drug is a class 2 felony.
Class 2 felony penalties
Punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison
7 years of probation
Fine of $150,000
Surcharges
Fraud Defense
Fraud involves the willful manipulation of finances for personal gain by using fraudulent and dishonest methods. Those charged with fraud are facing serious criminal charges and should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
Outlined under A.R.S. 13-2310, a fraud scheme is defined as the following.
Any person who, pursuant to a scheme or artifice to defraud, knowingly obtains any benefit by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, or material omissions, is guilty of a class 2 felony.
Reliance on the part of any person shall not be a necessary element of the offense described in subsection A of this section.
A person who is convicted of a violation of this section that involved a benefit with a value of one hundred thousand dollars or more is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except pursuant to section 31 233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41 1604.07 or the sentence is commuted.
Insurance Fraud Defense
Insurance fraud in Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding communities is often considered a class 6 felony. The penalties for an insurance fraud conviction include jail, fines, restitution, and employment loss.
In the state of Arizona, you can commit insurance fraud in several different ways.
Automobile accidents & insurance
Disability benefits
Medicaid
Casualty
Unemployment insurance
Health care claims such as medical
Sex Crimes
Sex crime accusations can arise from accidental or unintentional conduct, including the alleged offender being unaware that their actions were illegal. As with all criminal sexual allegations, regardless of the situation, the entire scope of the repercussions are immeasurable.
Sexual Assault
Sexual Conduct with a Minor
Sexual Exploitation
Indecent Exposure
Child Molestation
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual abuse
Violent sexual abuse
Other sex crimes
Good people sometimes find themselves in bad situations, and to me, that does not mean that those caught in a bad situation are criminals or even guilty of a crime.
White Collar Crime Defense Attorney
In today's society, a white-collar crime typically involves a professional who wears a white business shirt and collar. When a fraudulent crime is committed by a professional in business attire, it's considered a white-collar crime.
Fraud involves the willful manipulation of finances such as insurance fraud for personal gain by using untrue and dishonest methods, thus defrauding an institution.
The penalties for D.U.I. in Arizona are some of the harshest in the country. A conviction carries the following.
Mandatory jail
Mandatory fines
License suspension
Ignition interlock device
Depending on the blood alcohol concentration and history, jail can range from 1 day to 6 months for misdemeanors and up to 15 years for a felony.
When you need an experienced, reliable criminal defense, contact Phoenix, AZ Criminal Defense Attorney Aaron Black, or call to set up a free telephonic consultation today at 480-729-1683.
Representing clients in all Arizona federal, state, county and city courts, I serve clients in the following cities.
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, I wanted to inform clients and potential clients I am still available for consultations. I am always available by phone, text and/or email. We can also use Facetime for social distancing. The criminal justice system is not stopping due to COVID-19.
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Featured Reviews
Your rights are thoroughly defended with Aaron Black
- Mark A.
He worked on my case the day I met him and had the charges dropped down before my court date.
