Scottsdale Misdemeanor Charges Lawyer

Trusted Misdemeanor Charges Attorney in Scottsdale, AZ

An arrest can be a life-changing experience in several ways, and it’s vital to know what to expect as your criminal case proceedings unfold and what you should do first after arrest and booking. Misdemeanors may be less severe than felonies, but conviction for some misdemeanors in Arizona can still lead to serious penalties. A Scottsdale misdemeanor charges lawyer is the ideal resource to consult if you have been charged with any type of misdemeanor offense.

Experienced Criminal Defense Counsel for Misdemeanor Charges in Scottsdale, AZ

Joshua Davidson has nearly 30 years of experience ready to be applied to your defense. As a former prosecutor, he can provide unique insights that few other criminal defense attorneys in the area can match and knows how local prosecutors seek convictions. When you or a loved one are charged with a misdemeanor, you need a defense attorney you can trust to help you avoid conviction if possible or mitigate your sentence if necessary.

Recent crime statistics from throughout the state show that there is a downward trend in criminal activity in Scottsdale over the past few years. Violent crime decreased about 12% between 2023 and 2024, with 374 violent crimes reported in the area that year. There were a total of 434 violent crimes reported in Scottsdale in 2023, a 7% decrease from 2022, and the violent crime rate that year was 15% lower than the rate reported in 2021.

While crime rates in Scottsdale have consistently trended downward for the past few years, hundreds of people in Scottsdale and surrounding communities of Arizona are arrested for various offenses every year and face criminal proceedings in the Scottsdale City Court.

An arrest can be scary and even traumatic, especially if you are sure you have done nothing wrong and have been wrongfully accused of a crime you did not commit. If you have broken the law, you still need a defense attorney to protect your rights.

Joshua Davidson and his team can help you build a comprehensive defense against the misdemeanor charges that the state has filed against you. The first steps you take after your arrest are crucial, so it’s vital to know where you can turn for support and guidance in this challenging and uncertain situation. Our team is confident we can protect your rights and help you reach a positive conclusion in your case.

First Steps to Take After an Arrest in Scottsdale

When a police officer informs you that you are under arrest for any criminal offense in Arizona, it is vital that you comply with their instructions so you are not hit with additional charges for resisting arrest or obstruction. Even if you are certain that you did not break the law, complying with the arresting officer’s instructions is your safest course of action in this situation.

You have the Constitutional right to remain silent after an arrest. You are not required to act as a witness against yourself, so you have no obligation to answer any questions or provide any statements to the police after you are placed under arrest. It is generally advisable to comply with officers’ instructions and say nothing until you are allowed to contact an attorney.

You have the Constitutional right to legal counsel, and once you are permitted to make phone calls, it’s important to reach out to a Scottsdale misdemeanor charges attorney at your first opportunity. The more time your defense attorney has to build your case, the better your chances are of reaching favorable results. Experienced criminal defense in Scottsdale is an invaluable asset, so it’s crucial to connect with legal counsel you can trust right away.

An experienced Scottsdale misdemeanor charges lawyer can review the charges against you, the police report from your arrest, and all other immediately available evidence to start building a defense strategy on your behalf. Many criminal offenses in Arizona can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending on severity:

• Assault can include threatening another person with imminent harm, and someone could face misdemeanor assault charges even if they never made physical contact with the alleged victim.
• Many drug offenses in Arizona can qualify as misdemeanors, such as simple possession of small amounts of illicit substances. Generally, the severity of drug offenses in Arizona varies based on the type of drug and the quantity the defendant had in their possession.
• Some sex crimes can be charged as misdemeanors. However, even at the misdemeanor level, penalties for most sex crimes in Arizona are severe, and many include long-term sex offender registration that may interfere with your life in several ways.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol can potentially qualify as a misdemeanor charge in Arizona. Generally, a first-time DUI arrest that did not involve an accident will typically lead to a misdemeanor DUI. However, felony charges are more likely for repeat offenders, or if an intoxicated driver caused an accident resulting in injuries or death.
• Theft is the unlawful taking of another party’s property. Low-level theft offenses such as shoplifting typically qualify as misdemeanors. Defendants could still face fines, jail time, and restitution to the victim if they are convicted of misdemeanor theft in Scottsdale.

The Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm can develop a strategy aimed at helping you avoid conviction if at all possible, but we may also be able to negotiate a lighter sentence if the prosecution’s case against you is strong enough to secure a conviction. You may have more defenses available to you than you initially realized, so it’s vital to hire a misdemeanor charges lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest so they can start building your defense.

Defending Against Misdemeanor Charges in Scottsdale

In every criminal case in Arizona, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant is guilty of the offense in question “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This means the prosecutor must present evidence that is compelling enough that no reasonable person could doubt whether the defendant is guilty. This is a much higher standard than many people realize, and it is your defense attorney’s mission to prevent the prosecutor from meeting it.

The team at the Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm will work diligently to help you determine the most viable defenses available to you:

• In some misdemeanor cases, defense attorneys focus on proving lack of intent. Some criminal charges can only result in convictions when prosecutors are able to prove that defendants acted with the intent to commit a crime that they knew was wrong.
• Your defense attorney may seek to prove that your rights were violated in some way. If the police did not establish probable cause or otherwise violated the procedural rules that applied to your arrest, then any of the evidence they obtained because of this violation of your rights could be deemed inadmissible.
• A skilled Scottsdale misdemeanor charges lawyer can identify holes in the prosecution’s case. If the prosecution lacks evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant cannot be convicted.
• Self-defense could be a viable argument if you were charged with some form of assault but only committed the act in question to protect yourself or another person. Some of these cases reveal that the accuser or alleged victim was actually the aggressor.

These are just a few possible examples of how an experienced Scottsdale misdemeanor charges attorney could construct your defense. If you did not commit the offense in question, or if you believe the charges filed against you are overblown or based on mistakes of fact, you need defense counsel you can trust to help you avoid conviction. However, if you have broken the law, you still need a defense attorney who can potentially mitigate your penalties.

A good attorney may identify several possible options for reducing the penalties you face for a misdemeanor conviction. Mitigating factors can include your criminal record or lack thereof; many criminal court judges in Arizona are willing to consider diversionary sentencing or alternatives to jail time for first-time offenders. If you are charged with a drug offense due to a substance abuse disorder, your attorney may be able to argue for counseling instead of jail time.

Some criminal cases can be dismissed on procedural grounds, and others end in plea bargaining between the prosecution and the defense. When the prosecution has a strong case and is certain they can secure a conviction, they may offer a plea bargain in an effort to reduce litigation costs and streamline proceedings. While this is not a guaranteed option in every case, your defense attorney can determine whether accepting any such deal would be advisable for you.

You could face lengthy courtroom proceedings if your case progresses to litigation. Joshua Davidson has decades of proven experience on both sides of the courtroom and has successfully resolved more than 150 jury trials. If your misdemeanor case must be resolved through litigation, it is vital to hire a misdemeanor charges lawyer you can trust to represent you in these proceedings.

Ultimately, the outcome of a misdemeanor case in Scottsdale could influence your life in various ways. This is a daunting situation, and securing legal counsel you can trust as soon as possible after your arrest is one of the most effective ways to protect your future. If you are ready to learn how an experienced Scottsdale misdemeanor charges lawyer can help, reach out to Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm at your first opportunity.

FAQs

What Are Misdemeanor Penalties in Scottsdale?

Misdemeanor penalties in Scottsdale vary based on the nature and severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal record. Some first-time offenders may be able to avoid jail time with the help of their attorney, but many misdemeanors in Arizona can result in several days to several months in county jail, fines, and restitution for any damages caused to others.

How Can My Defense Attorney Have a Misdemeanor Charge Dismissed?

Your defense attorney could potentially have a misdemeanor charge dismissed by proving that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, by establishing an alibi that proves you could not have committed the offense in question, by calling the validity of the prosecution’s evidence into question, by proving that you are the victim of a civil rights violation, or by proving that you were arrested due to mistaken identity.

Can I Be Sued for Committing a Misdemeanor in Arizona?

You could be sued for committing a misdemeanor in Arizona if your actions resulted in damages to another party. Most misdemeanor cases focus on low-level offenses, and sentencing judges may order a defendant to pay restitution for small amounts of damages caused to others. However, a defendant may still face a civil claim from the victim seeking compensation for any economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s actions.

Why Should I Hire a Misdemeanor Charges Lawyer in Scottsdale?

You should hire a misdemeanor charges lawyer in Scottsdale to have a better chance of securing a case dismissal, if possible, or mitigate your penalties if conviction is unavoidable. Do not assume that a misdemeanor isn’t serious; you could still face life-changing consequences if convicted, and you may have more defenses available to you than you initially realized. It’s crucial to have defense counsel you can trust to have a better chance of a favorable outcome.

What Does it Cost to Hire a Misdemeanor Charges Lawyer in Scottsdale?

The cost to hire a misdemeanor charges lawyer in Scottsdale typically depends on how much time they must spend handling your case. Most of the criminal defense attorneys in Arizona charge hourly rates and track time spent handling each case. Make sure you fully understand your chosen attorney’s billing policy so you are ready to handle your legal expenses.

Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm can provide the aggressive and results-driven defense representation you need after you have been charged with any misdemeanor offense in Scottsdale. You have a short time to build your defense after your arrest, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Scottsdale misdemeanor charges lawyer you can trust.