If you have been charged with committing a crime, you may be facing severe consequences in the form of penalties and prison time. Being accused of a criminal offense does not necessarily mean that you are guilty of a crime. Often, allegations involve an individual that was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Criminal charges and the process of defending your legal rights can bring on severe emotional and financial stress to your life. Do not face this potentially life-changing process by yourself. At Grand Canyon Law Group, a Buckeye criminal defense lawyer understands the serious nature of criminal allegations and will fight by your side to defend your rights.
State law classifies criminal charges as felonies or misdemeanors. Felonies are more serious charges with heavier punishments, potentially including prison time. Dangerous crimes that could cause injury or death to someone are felonies, along with other non-dangerous crimes.
Misdemeanor charges are less severe and usually involve punishments such as jail time and fines. While state law separates misdemeanors into three classes, felonies are separated into six. Class 1 is the most severe level for both types of offenses and therefore carries the harshest penalties.
Grand Canyon Law Group defends many criminal case types, including:
If you are facing a felony or misdemeanor charge in Buckeye, our team could help you build a strong defense. Our dedicated criminal defense attorneys are former prosecutors with the extensive understanding of the legal system needed to defend your case the right way.
An individual accused of committing a crime is afforded many substantial rights under the United States Constitution. These rights include:
Additionally, an accused individual is afforded the presumption of innocence, which means they are assumed innocent of the charged crimes until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a judge or jury. A seasoned criminal defense attorney in the area could help ensure that an accused individual’s rights do not go unprotected.
A sentencing range is the potential range of time in prison that a judge may sentence an individual to following a conviction. The sentencing ranges will differ based on the classification and nature of the charges that resulted in the conviction, with penalties for felony convictions providing the most substantial ranges.
Where an individual’s sentence falls within the sentencing range depends on any mitigating factors or aggravated factors. Certain mitigating factors can decrease a sentence, while aggravating factors can increase it beyond the normal sentencing range. Mitigating factors can include age of the defendant, mental illness, and addiction. Aggravating factors can be prior offenses, use of a deadly weapon, and age of the alleged victim.
Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-702 lays out the sentencing ranges and guidelines for first-time felony convictions. Generally, courts call for a sentence close to the presumptive sentence absent any aggravated or mitigating factors. It is important to note that prior convictions can increase the sentence ranges. An experienced Buckeye attorney could further explain the sentencing guidelines and the factors that determine specific sentencing ranges to someone facing criminal charges.
Being accused of committing a criminal offense can be a frightening experience, especially for individuals who have not previously encountered the legal system. A criminal case can have lasting effects on your life, so do not face this potentially life-changing event on your own.
Having an experienced Buckeye criminal defense lawyer by your side throughout the process could ease some of the stress of this process and ensure that your rights are protected. Schedule a free consultation with a member of the Grand Canyon Law Group today.