Mesa Criminal Defense Attorney

Trusted Criminal Defense Lawyer in Mesa, AZ

Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm handles criminal defense for a wide range of charges in Mesa and throughout Maricopa County. Facing criminal charges is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through, but an experienced Mesa criminal defense attorney can make the process far more manageable and protect your rights from the first police contact to the final outcome. Mr. Davidson has built a reputation among Mesa colleagues and judges as a serious and aggressive advocate, and he works to uphold that reputation with every case he accepts.

As a Mesa Criminal Defense Attorney, Mr. Davidson’s main practice areas include:

• DUI
• Domestic Violence
• Sex Crimes
• White Collar Crimes
• Drug Crimes
• Child Abuse

Whether you need Mesa legal representation now or simply have questions about a criminal charge, our firm is ready to help. Mr. Davidson spent five years as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, primarily in the Major Crimes Division, where he tried more than 70 jury trials. That experience gives him a perspective most Mesa lawyers do not have: he knows how prosecutors weigh evidence, decide what to charge and approach plea negotiations. Having worked on both sides of the courtroom, he can see every angle of your case and build a stronger defense strategy.

Why Hire a Former Prosecutor for Your Mesa Criminal Case?

A former prosecutor knows how the State builds a case, and that knowledge is one of the most useful tools a defendant can have. Joshua S. Davidson brings:

• Inside knowledge of charging decisions. He spots weak evidence, gaps in police reports and procedural errors early, often before the first court date.
• Real trial experience. More than 100 jury trials over his career. Prosecutors negotiate differently with a lawyer they know is ready to go to trial.
• Leverage in negotiations. He pursues dismissals, reduced charges, diversion and lighter sentences from a position of credibility.
• Recognized standing. An AV Preeminent peer rating and membership in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
• Direct access. You work with Mr. Davidson himself, and the firm answers calls 24/7.

If you need legal representation in Mesa, or if you just have questions regarding your criminal charge, we will be glad to help you. Due to his time as a prosecutor in Maricopa County, Mr. Davidson has a different view of the criminal justice system than most lawyers in Mesa. Because he has worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney in Mesa, he can see all sides of a case and come up with more effective defense strategies as a result.

Where Are Criminal Cases Heard in Mesa?

Most criminal cases from Mesa are heard in one of two courthouses inside the city: Mesa Municipal Court for misdemeanors and the Maricopa County Superior Court Southeast Facility for felonies. Knowing which court and which prosecutor’s office you are facing shapes the entire defense strategy.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Penalties in Arizona

Arizona sorts crimes into three misdemeanor classes and six felony classes. The class of the charge sets the maximum jail or prison time, fines and probation. The ranges below are for a first-time offense; prior convictions or a “dangerous” designation increase them significantly.

What Happens After an Arrest in Mesa?

A Mesa criminal case usually moves through seven stages. Having a lawyer involved from the first stage gives you the most options.

1. Arrest and booking. Stay calm, do not resist and say, “I want to remain silent and speak to a lawyer.”
2. Initial appearance. Within 24 hours of arrest, a judge sets release conditions such as bond or release on your own recognizance.
3. Arraignment. You enter a plea, usually not guilty, and the court sets the next dates.
4. Discovery and pretrial conferences. Your attorney reviews police reports, body-camera video, lab results and witness statements.
5. Motions. Your attorney can move to suppress evidence from an illegal stop or search, or to dismiss the charges.
6. Resolution. The case ends in dismissal, diversion, a negotiated plea or a trial.
7. Sentencing. If there is a conviction, your attorney argues for the lightest possible sentence and alternatives to jail.

DUI arrests carry a second case. The Arizona MVD can suspend your license separately from the criminal case, and the deadline to request a hearing is short. Learn more about MVD hearings after a DUI arrest.

Common Defense Strategies in Mesa Criminal Cases

Every case is different, but these are among the strategies Mr. Davidson uses most often:

• Challenging the stop, search or arrest under the Fourth Amendment and moving to suppress the evidence.
• Challenging statements taken without proper Miranda warnings or after you asked for a lawyer.
• Attacking breath and blood test results in DUI cases, including calibration and chain-of-custody issues. See challenging DUI evidence.
• Self-defense and justification under A.R.S. §§ 13-404 and 13-405.
• Witness credibility and lack of intent, which often decide assault, domestic violence and sex crime cases.
• Diversion programs offered by the Mesa City Prosecutor and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office that can end in dismissal.
• Negotiating reduced charges, such as DUI to reckless driving, or felony to misdemeanor.

Can You Clear a Criminal Record in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona offers several ways to limit the damage of a past case:

• Set aside (A.R.S. § 13-905): After you complete your sentence, the court can set aside the conviction and dismiss the charge.
• Record sealing (A.R.S. § 13-911): After a waiting period, you can petition to seal arrest, charge and conviction records from most public background checks.
• Marijuana expungement (A.R.S. § 36-2862): Certain past marijuana offenses can be fully expunged.

FAQs

What Should I Do If I Am Arrested in Mesa, Arizona?

Stay calm, do not resist, and clearly say that you want to remain silent and speak with a lawyer. Do not consent to searches, do not discuss your case with police or on recorded jail calls, and do not post about it online. Contact a Mesa criminal defense attorney as soon as possible, ideally before your initial appearance, which usually takes place within 24 hours of arrest.

Which Court Will Handle My Criminal Case in Mesa?

Misdemeanors that happen inside Mesa city limits, such as most first-time DUIs, shoplifting and misdemeanor domestic violence, are heard in Mesa Municipal Court at 250 E. 1st Ave. Felonies are prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and are usually heard at the Maricopa County Superior Court Southeast Facility at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa. Federal charges go to the U.S. District Court in Phoenix.

Will I Go to Jail for a First-Time DUI in Mesa?

Arizona requires at least 10 consecutive days in jail for a first-time DUI under A.R.S. § 28-1381, but the judge may suspend 9 of those days if you complete alcohol screening and any required treatment. An extreme DUI (BAC of 0.15 or higher) carries a 30-day minimum. An experienced DUI lawyer may be able to challenge the traffic stop or the breath or blood test, or negotiate a reduction to a charge such as reckless driving.

Why Should I Hire a Former Prosecutor as My Mesa Defense Lawyer?

A former prosecutor knows how the State evaluates evidence, decides what to charge and approaches plea offers. Joshua S. Davidson spent five years at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, mostly in the Major Crimes Division, and has tried more than 100 jury trials. That inside perspective helps him find weaknesses in the State’s case early and negotiate from a position of strength.

Can a Criminal Charge in Arizona Be Dismissed or My Record Cleared?

Yes, in many cases. Charges can be dismissed when evidence was obtained illegally, witnesses are unreliable or the State cannot prove every element of the offense, and some first-time defendants qualify for diversion programs that end in dismissal. After a conviction, Arizona lets you petition to set aside the judgment under A.R.S. § 13-905 and, after the required waiting period, to seal the record under A.R.S. § 13-911

Serving Mesa and the East Valley

Mr. Davidson represents clients from every part of Mesa, including Downtown Mesa, Dobson Ranch, West Mesa, Red Mountain, Las Sendas and Eastmark, as well as students at Mesa Community College and ASU Polytechnic. He also defends clients in nearby Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Queen Creek. See all areas we serve.

Don’t risk harsh penalties, a permanent record or the loss of your license. Contact Mesa criminal defense attorney Joshua S. Davidson today for a free, confidential consultation. Call (602) 493-3600, available 24/7, or schedule your consultation online.