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Being accused of a sex crime is one of the most difficult charges to face. A skilled Scottsdale sex crimes lawyer can help protect your rights and build a strong defense. Under Arizona law, a person convicted of a sex crime could face mandatory jail or prison time, and depending upon the extent of the accusation, could face a lifetime of being a registered sex offender.
As an experienced sex crime defense attorney in Scottsdale, Joshua S. Davidson realizes that many sex crime allegations can be false. Motivated by anger, revenge, divorce, and child custody battles, some people fabricate accusations against innocent people, forever tarnishing their reputations in the process.
As a Scottsdale sex crime defense attorney, Joshua S. Davidson handles many different types of sex crime cases:
In Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, and Tempe, the penalties resulting from a sex crime conviction range from probation and community service to jail and prison sentences. If found guilty, most sex crime convictions carry with them a mandatory lifetime sex offender registration, a label with a social stigma unmatched in our society. If you are required by law to be a registered sex offender, that label may determine where you are able to live and work indefinitely.
Being convicted of a sex crime could ruin your reputation, strain relationships, and make future life endeavors more difficult. In order to prevent this from happening, you need to contact a Scottsdale sex crimes attorney who has the knowledge and skill to help clear your name.
Mr. Davidson’s time as a prosecutor gave him a significant amount of experience with sex crimes. As your Scottsdale sex crime defense lawyer, he can bring a two-sided viewpoint to your case and provide you with an effective defense.
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Call (602) 493-3600Sex offense investigations continue to be a major focus of law enforcement agencies across Arizona. This is due in part to the frequency of sexual violence cases that occur throughout the state and throughout Maricopa County. The AZ Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence reported that at least one in three women and almost one in four men have been victimized by sexual violence.
Based on data collected for its annual crime reporting efforts, the Arizona Department of Public Safety recorded 2,789 sexual assault cases across the state of Arizona. Sexual assault offenses only had a clearance rate of 12.66%. This means law enforcement agencies throughout the state cleared just over 12% of reported sexual assault cases from their dockets.
Statistics provided by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission also show just how serious Arizona takes these offenses. After analyzing convictions from 2019 to 2023, Commission analysts determined that around 82.7% of arrests ending in at least one sexual assault conviction served time in prison. Meanwhile, about 9.1% served a jail sentence.
Arizona Revised Statutes established six categories of sexual offenses. These categories are listed below:
Arizona takes sexual offenses very seriously and imposes some of the most severe criminal penalties in the nation. The potential sentence depends on the nature of the offense, age of the alleged victim, defendant’s criminal record, and whether prosecutors classify the crime as one of many Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC). Felony sex crimes often carry mandatory prison sentences that limit or prohibit probation.
Jail, probation, fines, community service, counseling, and other court-ordered conditions may be available for less serious offenses. For example, misdemeanor indecent exposure convictions may not require prison time. Felony convictions can lead to years in prison. Mandatory minimum sentences of decades in prison are even possible for some offenses involving children. Life in prison is possible for some defendants depending on the circumstances of the case.
Sex offenders are required to register under Arizona sex crime laws in many cases. Failure to comply with the registration process can lead to felony charges. Like penalties for other offenses, the length of time you must be on the registry varies by offense. Sex offender registration can impact where you can live, work, and go to school.
Additional penalties can include lifetime probation, sex offender treatment classes, internet restrictions, and bans on contact with minors. Firearm possession restrictions may apply when Arizona law requires defendants to surrender their weapons.
It is also important to consider that you may face certain collateral consequences of a conviction. In some cases, a conviction makes it more difficult to get a job, professional license, housing, education, or volunteer opportunities. Because these penalties do not end when a sentence is complete, knowing all penalties you’re facing is an essential part of your criminal case evaluation.
Felony sexual violence criminal cases are handled at the Maricopa County Superior Court. Misdemeanor cases are handled at the Scottsdale City Court on 3700 North 75th Street in Scottsdale.
Many sex crime allegations involve police investigations before any charges are filed. Detectives may interview witnesses, preserve electronic evidence, seek search warrants for phones or computers, review surveillance video, and work to identify forensic evidence. Anything you say to police early in the investigation could end up being used against you in court.
An attorney can also assess whether investigators followed your rights under the U.S. Constitution when gathering evidence. Your attorney can review forensic testing methods, analyze witness statements looking for inconsistencies, and evaluate whether prosecutors can prove each element of the crime.
Sex crime attorneys can also provide invaluable legal advice before you speak to investigators. They can draft court documents, meet with prosecutors on your behalf when appropriate, and represent you during every stage of the criminal process. Defense attorneys are often crucial in sex crime cases because they frequently involve scientific evidence, digital data, and professional witnesses.
All charges dismissed
Reduced to reckless driving/no jail
Not guilty at trial
A Scottsdale sex crimes lawyer, like Joshua S. Davidson, handles a broad range of charges under Arizona law. These include sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, child molestation, indecent exposure, luring a minor, sex abuse, child pornography, cybercrimes, prostitution/solicitation, sexual misconduct, and failure to register as a sex offender.
Each of these charges carries its own set of penalties and legal complexities, which is why retaining an attorney with specific experience in Arizona sex crime defense is critical from the very moment you are accused.
The consequences of a sex crime conviction in Scottsdale can be devastating and life-altering. Depending on the nature and severity of the charge, penalties can range from probation and community service to lengthy prison sentences.
More significantly, most sex crime convictions in Arizona carry a mandatory lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender, a designation that may directly impact where you are permitted to live, work, and travel. Beyond the legal penalties, a conviction can permanently damage your professional reputation, personal relationships, and future opportunities. This is why building a strong, proactive legal defense as early as possible is absolutely essential.
Yes, and it happens more often than many people realize. Attorney Joshua S. Davidson has seen firsthand that sex crime allegations are sometimes fabricated or exaggerated, often stemming from emotionally charged situations such as bitter divorces, child custody disputes, or personal vendettas.
Arizona law takes all sex crime allegations seriously, which means even an unsubstantiated accusation can upend your life before any trial takes place. An experienced Scottsdale sex crimes defense attorney can thoroughly investigate the credibility of the accusation, challenge inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s account, and work to expose any motive behind a false claim.
Hiring a defense attorney who has previously served as a prosecutor like Joshua S. Davidson, a former Maricopa County prosecutor, gives you a significant strategic advantage. Having worked on the other side of the courtroom, Attorney Davidson understands exactly how prosecutors build sex crime cases, what evidence they rely upon, and where their arguments are most vulnerable.
This unique dual perspective allows him to anticipate the prosecution’s strategy, identify weaknesses in their case, and craft a defense tailored to counter their approach. Simply put, knowing how the opposition thinks is an invaluable asset in a high-stakes sex crimes case.
Yes. While the firm has a dedicated office in Scottsdale, Attorney Joshua S. Davidson and his team represent clients facing sex crime charges throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, and Tempe. Regardless of where your case is being heard in Maricopa County, our firm is equipped to provide aggressive, experienced criminal defense representation.
The firm is also available 24/7, so if you or a loved one is facing a sex crime accusation in any of these areas, you can reach out at any time for a free consultation at (602) 581-7969.
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The Scottsdale Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm represents clients facing a wide range of sex crime charges. As an experienced Scottsdale sex crimes defense attorney, Joshua S. Davidson knows firsthand how hostile prosecutors, judges, and juries can be when dealing with sex crime charges.
Sex crimes in Arizona have a stigma attached to them unmatched by other crimes, and a conviction could result in a lifetime of consequences. If you or someone you care about is facing sex crime charges in Scottsdale, you should seek the representation of a qualified lawyer immediately.
As a Scottsdale sex crimes defense attorney, Joshua S. Davidson handles many different sex crime cases involving molestation, sexual conduct with a minor, sexual assault, and cybercrimes, such as the possession or creation of child pornography. Additionally, the team takes on cases involving indecent exposure, lewd conduct, child abuse, prostitution, and all other forms of sexual abuse and misconduct.
Regardless of what specific charges you may be facing, all Arizona sex crime offenses are extremely serious and carry extreme penalties. It is vital that you consult a Scottsdale sex crimes lawyer who is capable of handling your case in the most effective manner possible.
Scottsdale Attorney Joshua S. Davidson’s time as a prosecutor instilled him with a wide view of the law, and as a Scottsdale defense attorney, he is better equipped to see all sides of a sex crimes case. If you need to defend yourself against sex crime charges, contact Davidson Criminal Defense & DUI Law Firm in Scottsdale.
Use of Rule 404C by Prosecutors in Sex Crimes Cases
Risk Assessments in Sex Crimes Cases
Evidence in Sex Crime Cases
Entrapment in Sex Crimes Cases
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