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Criminal Law Blog

Understanding Violent Crime Charges in Arizona

January 28, 2022

Being charged with a violent crime in Arizona is a serious allegation. If you are accused of a violent crime, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side from the very start of your case. These kinds of charges almost always carry prison sentences, and charges can be upgraded with additional accusations that lead to the potential of aggravated sentencing. You need to work with your defense attorney to aggressively fight the charges from the very moment you are accused. Here is what you need to know about violent crime charges in Arizona

What is a violent crime charge?

There are many kinds of violent charges, but generally, they refer to a crime that involves the use of physical force or a dangerous or deadly weapon. In the case of the most common violent crime charge issued in Arizona, assault, you do not have to have used the weapon or physically harmed the accuser at all—simply having the weapon is enough to be charged with a violent crime. In addition to assault, other types of violent crime include domestic violence, armed robbery, sexual assault, manslaughter, and homicide. 

Are these crimes always felonies?

It is very rare for a violent crime to be charged as a misdemeanor crime. Instead, these charges are usually felonies of different classes. Violent crimes range from class two felonies, which are the most serious, to class six felonies, which carry the least punishments. In addition to the class of the crime, prosecutors can add “allegations” to charges. Allegations are aggravating factors in the crime that can make the accused subject to more prison time than the felony charge alone would typically carry. Allegations can include things like being on parole or probation when the crime was committed. 

What should I do if I am accused of a violent crime in Arizona?

Violent crime cases are extremely complex, and you should never try to navigate them alone. Call a criminal defense attorney as soon as you are brought in for questioning, and don’t speak to anyone without an attorney present. 

Janet Altschuler knows the Arizona court system and is ready to protect your rights throughout your case, fighting hard to get the best outcome for you. If you’re facing charges, call our criminal defense attorney in Tucson at (520) 200-5003.

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