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Phoenix Felony Defense Lawyer

Phoenix Felony Defense LawyerWere you recently arrested and charged with a felony in Phoenix, AZ? Do not hesitate to contact our Phoenix Felony Defense Lawyer for an immediate case evaluation.

Our Phoenix criminal defense attorneys are ready and willing to help you fight the charges and protect your future. Call to arrange your free consultation today.

Why You Should Hire Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney Craig Orent After a Felony Arrest

court house buildingDuring his long and distinguished legal career, Craig Orent has stood up for the people of Phoenix time and time again. Over the years, he has helped numerous clients get their felony charges dropped or reduced.

When you hire him and his skilled team at Orent Law Offices to assist you with your case, he will:

  • Conduct an independent investigation into your arrest
  • Walk you through your legal options
  • Protect your constitutional rights at all times
  • Help you devise an effective defense strategy
  • Search for evidence to help your case
  • Guide you through the Arizona criminal justice system
  • Negotiate a plea bargain deal with the prosecuting attorney
  • Represent you in a court of law, if necessary

Do you want to have a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix like Craig Orent help you fight back against your Arizona felony charge? Then please pick up the phone and schedule a free consultation at our law office in Phoenix at your earliest convenience. Our team has years of experience in the industry and is ready to go to bat for you.

What is the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor?

The state of Arizona divides its list of criminal offenses into two main categories:

But what is the difference between the two groups?

In the Grand Canyon State, and throughout the U.S., misdemeanors are criminal offenses that carry a potential jail term of less than one year. Convicts almost always serve out their sentence in the county jail.

Felonies, on the other hand, are more severe crimes that come with a potential prison term of more than one year. When the state finds an individual guilty of felony offenses, it does not send them to the county jail. It places them in state prison.

Have you been arrested in connection with a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense in Maricopa County, AZ? If so, please contact Craig Orent and his team at Orent Law Offices as soon as possible. We know how the justice system works and would be happy to help you fight back against the state’s accusations.

Types of Felony Cases Our Phoenix Law Firm Can Handle

The statutory knowledge and industry experience of the team at Orent Law Offices allows us to handle a wide variety of felony cases on behalf of the residents of Phoenix, Arizona. Some of our principal practice areas include:

Sex Crimes

A short sampling of the sex offenses our legal team defends clients against would include:

When the state of Arizona convicts people of these crimes, it forces them to register as sex offenders.

Drug Crimes

Law enforcement officers in Phoenix frequently charge people with drug crimes like:

Over the years, our law firm has defended a myriad of clients against these charges.

Theft Crimes

A brief list of some of the most commonly charged theft offenses in Phoenix would include:

Our attorneys have successfully helped many clients get their theft charges dismissed or reduced.

Violent Crimes

The Phoenix Police Department regularly arrests local residents for violent crimes like:

The legal team at Orent Law Offices knows how to help defendants fight back against these criminal charges.

Weapons Crimes

During his legal career, Craig Orent has defended Phoenix residents against a wide range of gun crimes, like:

No matter what kind of felony criminal offense the state of Arizona is accusing you of committing, you can always rely on Craig Orent and his team to defend you. We have been serving clients in the Phoenix area for years, and we are ready to take on your case.

Consequences of Felony Convictions in Phoenix, Arizona

The consequences of a felony conviction in the state of Arizona can be quite severe – and typically come in three distinct forms:

  • Criminal punishments
  • Collateral consequences, and
  • Sex offender registration

These consequences can have a substantial negative impact on the lives of all who face them.

Felony Convictions – Criminal Punishments

In Arizona, people with felony convictions face the following criminal penalties:

  • Class 6 Felonies: As long as 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000
  • Class 5 Felonies: As long as 2.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000
  • Class 4 Felonies: As long as 3.75 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000
  • Class 3 Felonies: As long as 8.75 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000
  • Class 2 Felonies: As long as 12.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000
  • Class 1 Felonies: Death or life imprisonment and a fine of up to $150,000

First-time offenders almost always receive more lenient fines and prison sentences than people with prior criminal records.

Felony Convictions – Collateral Consequences

In addition to fines and prison time, convicted felons in Arizona also receive permanent criminal records. Their record can cause them to experience a variety of negative collateral consequences, like:

  • Trouble Landing a Job: Small and large businesses in Phoenix frequently reject applications from felons.
  • Professional Licensing Issues: Convicted felons often lose their professional licenses.
  • Difficulty Finding Housing: Apartment communities in Arizona regularly refuse to rent to convicted criminals.
  • Immigration Issues: Federal agencies regularly deport felons after they get out of prison.
  • Loss of Voting Rights: The vast majority of convicted felons in the state of Arizona do not have the right to vote.
  • Loss of Gun Ownership Rights: Felons cannot purchase, use, or carry a gun in Arizona.

Often, the only way to put an end to these collateral consequences is to have a court set aside the offender’s criminal conviction.

Felony Convictions – Sex Offender Registration

When the state of Arizona convicts people of sex crimes, it requires them to register as sexual offenders – typically for the remainder of their lives.

Registered sex offenders in the Grand Canyon State usually have to adhere to rules, regulations, and restrictions like:

  • Employment Restrictions: Registered sex offenders typically cannot work with kids or vulnerable adults.
  • Residential Restrictions: In Arizona, sex offenders must live more than 1,000 feet away from schools.
  • Notification Requirements: The state of Arizona sometimes requires sex offenders to let their neighbors know about their status.
  • Communication Restrictions: Registered sex offenders in the state of Arizona do not have the right to communicate with any minors without obtaining prior consent.
  • Computer Monitoring: Law enforcement officers can monitor the computer activities of registered sex offenders in Arizona.
  • Alcohol Restrictions: The state of Arizona often forbids sex offenders to drink alcoholic beverages.

Have you been charged with a crime in Phoenix? Then you would be wise to hire one of the premier criminal defense lawyers in Arizona – Craig Orent. He may be able to use his legal nous and knowledge of state law to help you avoid the consequences of a felony conviction.

Common Defenses Against Felony Charges in the State of Arizona

All felony criminal cases are unique in their own way. However, there are several defense strategies that consistently prove to be effective at helping defendants secure favorable outcomes, such as:

Innocence

The most obvious way to get a judge or prosecutor to dismiss felony charges is to prove that the defendant is innocent. People who wish to use this defense strategy typically need to provide a mountain of relevant evidence to the court.

Lack of Evidence

To convict a Phoenix resident of any felony, prosecutors must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. When a defense attorney can successfully argue that the prosecution has not put forward enough evidence to meet their burden, they can frequently get their client’s charges dropped.

Constitutional Rights Violations

When investigating and arresting someone on a felony charge, state prosecutors must not violate their constitutional rights. If a defense lawyer can show that a violation occurred, they may be able to have a piece of key evidence suppressed – and substantially improve their client’s chances of securing a not guilty verdict.

Your Knowledgeable Felony Defense Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona

When the people of Phoenix need a lawyer to help them fight back against their felony criminal charges, they know they can count on Craig Orent and his team at Orent Law Offices. Over the years, we have achieved a plethora of favorable results for our clients. To learn more about how we can assist you with your case, give reach out to us via phone or email as soon as possible.

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