Have you been charged with a crime? While there is a full range in severity of crimes, there is unfortunately also a full range of outcomes that can happen for any particular crime, including fines, probation and incarceration, and those are just the penalties which federal, state and local governments can impose on you if convicted. You could easily have more to lose besides money and time, including your reputation, your career, your way of living, and relationships with others. You have rights, and if you want the best possible outcome for your case then contact Civitas Law Group today.

Do I Need A Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you’ve been charged with a crime in the Phoenix area or anywhere in Arizona, then yes, you need a criminal lawyer. The more appropriate question to ask yourself is whether you should allow the government to appoint a lawyer to you or make the choice yourself? When the government appoints a lawyer to you, they are respecting your right to legal representation, but how good will that lawyer be? Will they even care about your case or simply provide their duty as a means checking off this requirement to give you representation? If you want more assurances than a random selection, make your own choice. Yet, you should also be aware that some law firms will contract out with third parties. They are essentially selling your case to other lawyers, so you’re not actually getting representation from the firm you selected; select Civitas Law Group and this won’t happen. We’ll provide the personal attention and relentless representation that you need, in-house.

The next question to ask your self is if the criminal attorney you’re considering can represent you for the particular crime you’re being charged with. Civitas Law Group covers many areas of criminal law, including those listed below.

Criminal Charges That Would Require A Defense Attorney

Criminal defense includes representation for clients charged with any crime, felonies and misdemeanors, including but not limited to the following:

• DUI, Vehicular Crimes
• Theft
• Fraud
• Assault
• Violent Crimes
• Domestic Violence
• Property Crimes
• Drug Crimes
• School Discipline, Title 9 Cases
• Probation Violation
• Federal Crimes

What is the Process of Criminal Law?

Criminal law begins when either a crime is committed or suspected. The police conduct a proper investigation and make an arrest. If there is anything improper about their investigation, that can make it easier to win the case, such as when they violate search and seizure rules. Following an arrest the police should inform the suspect of their Miranda rights which include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Failure to inform the suspect of these rights or failure to respect these rights makes it easier to win the case.

Crimes are separated into four categories: felonies, misdemeanors, inchoate offenses, and strict liability offenses. Felonies are more severe than misdemeanors. Nine major felonies include murder, robbery, manslaughter, rape, sodomy, larceny, arson, mayhem and burglary. Misdemeanors would include offenses such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, and perjury. See more detailed descriptions about felonies, misdemeanors and other crimes.

The stages of criminal defense include an arraignment in open court, discovery proceedings, and—if it comes to it—trial by jury. The arraignment in open court is when the judge describes the charges against the suspect and asks for a plea. If the defendant pleads guilty at this stage then they receive sentencing and they forego the option to a plea bargain. During discovery proceedings the prosecutor must turn over all evidence to be examined by the defense, including police reports, lab results, video recordings, and other evidence.

Over 90% of cases in the US result in a plea bargain, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest in exchange for a lighter sentence. However, a nationwide statistic does not determine what will happen in your case. Each case is considered on an individual basis. If a plea bargain cannot be reached then the case will proceed to trial by jury which will ultimately determine whether you are acquitted or receive a sentence.

Most crimes consist of an act and a mental state. In most cases the prosecution will need to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you as the defendant had both. Therefore some common defenses include the following:

• Failure of proof – the whole point of the legal system is to ensure that law-abiding citizens are not oppressed or unjustifiably imprisoned. Therefore the burden of proof lies with the prosecution.
• Mistakes (including Mistake of Law or Mistake of Fact)
• Justifications – a commonly known justification is self-defense, but there is also defense of property, defense of others, and necessity. Necessity means the act was committed to avoid a greater harm.
• Excuses – includes duress, voluntary or involuntary intoxication, or insanity. These are considered partial defenses, which means the defendant still holds some liability, but they do not meet the requirement of “mental state” and thus the defendant cannot be found guilty.

If you are acquitted (found not guilty by the jury), then the next step is to make sure all applicable arrests and charges are removed from your record.

DUI Attorney

A commonly-known DUI is drinking and driving. Yet, driving under the influence of other substances besides alcohol can get you a DUI. In 2020 Arizona legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Arizona, did not however legalize driving while under the influence of marijuana or any other substance that can affect alertness, and those who use marijuana either medicinally or recreationally may not have recognized that. If you take any medications that specifically say on the label, “do not drive while consuming”, then you can be charged for a DUI if you do.

Why Choose Civitas Law Group To Be Your Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Civitas Law Group gives you the personal attention that you can only get from a small law firm, yet has the experience and expertise to give you big law firm results for your case. Many big law firms simply treat their clients like a number, passing them through the pipeline of legal assistants and junior attorneys. As mentioned before your case could even be “sold” to a third party. We won’t treat you that way. We give you the attention you need in addition to relentless representation.

Contact Civitas Law Group Today

If you’ve been charged with a crime, then contact Civitas Law Group today for the attention and relentless representation that you need to maintain your rights.

Call 602-301-5953 or send us an email.