Felony Crimes and Penalties in Arizona: An Overview
Facing criminal charges of any kind can be stressful and overwhelming, but the right criminal defense lawyer in your corner can make a world of difference. Here at The Weingart Firm, PLLC, we have over four decades of experience representing those charged with crimes here in Arizona, and we stand ready to put that experience to work for you. Contact a dedicated and skilled Tempe criminal lawyer from our firm for a free initial consultation today.
Mark Weingart has over four decades of experience defending against DUI allegations and previously served as a Tempe city court judge presiding over DUI cases. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, DUI, or a more severe offense like aggravated DUI, our firm has the expertise and experience to defend your constitutional and legal rights.
Arizona has among the nation’s toughest drug laws and punishments for drug possession and delivery. If you’re facing drug-related or hazardous drug-related criminal charges, you must retain experienced counsel. The Weingart Firm, PLLC has decades of expertise defending Arizonans accused of drug crimes.
Domestic violence allegations are among the most serious charges a person can face, not only because of the potential criminal penalties, but also because of the immediate consequences that often follow an arrest. In many cases, individuals are removed from their homes, prohibited from contacting family members, and subject to strict court orders long before their case is ever resolved. If you’re accused of domestic violence, a skilled Tempe criminal defense lawyer from The Weingart Firm, PLLC can effectively defend your rights.
Assault charges can arise from a wide range of situations, many of which begin as verbal arguments or misunderstandings that escalate unexpectedly. Depending on the circumstances, an assault charge may be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, and the penalties can vary significantly based on factors such as alleged injuries, the use of a weapon, or the identity of the alleged victim.
Arizona has several laws governing the possession, use, and transportation of firearms and other weapons, and violations of these laws can carry severe penalties, including substantial fines and time in prison. In some situations, people are charged not because they intended to use a weapon unlawfully, but because of misunderstandings about permit requirements, prohibited locations, or prior convictions that affect eligibility to possess a firearm. Regardless of your circumstances, you can depend on a Valley of the Sun criminal lawyer to fight for the best outcome possible on your behalf.
Theft-related offenses can range from relatively minor shoplifting allegations to serious felony charges involving significant amounts of money or property. Regardless of the amount involved, a theft conviction can have long-lasting and far-reaching consequences, including a permanent criminal record that may affect your ability to obtain housing and employment.
Few criminal allegations carry the stigma and life-altering consequences associated with sex crime charges. Even before a case is resolved, individuals accused of these offenses often face damage to their reputations, strained personal relationships, and significant emotional stress. A sex crime conviction can result in prison time, mandatory registration requirements, and restrictions that can affect where a person lives or works. Our firm is here to provide those accused of sex crimes in the Valley with a fair and thorough defense.
White-collar crimes, such as embezzlement, forgery, and identity theft, are often investigated extensively before charges are ever filed, and by the time an individual learns that he or she is under investigation, prosecutors may already have gathered a substantial amount of financial and documentary evidence. Often, these cases are technical. They involve bank records, electronic communications, and detailed financial transactions that must be analyzed very carefully.
We are capable of defending minors against a variety of offenses, including violent ones. In addition, our skilled criminal attorneys in Phoenix & Tempe, Arizona, defend juveniles accused of crimes such as underage DUI, possession and use of drugs, and possession and use of counterfeit identity cards. No matter the charges you are facing, we zealously defend your child’s rights and future.
In Arizona, many violent crimes carry the possibility of prison, and offenses designated as dangerous under A.R.S. § 13-105 require mandatory prison with no eligibility for probation. Through self-defense arguments, we seek to decrease the likelihood that you will be punished for violent offenses. Our legal professionals will investigate the charges made against you and ensure that your viewpoint is taken into account.
If you take one thing from this page, take this. Arizona law separates felonies into dangerous and non-dangerous offenses under A.R.S. § 13-105. A dangerous offense involves the discharge, use, or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or the intentional infliction of serious physical injury. That single designation changes everything. A dangerous felony carries mandatory prison and eliminates probation entirely. The same underlying charge, without the dangerous allegation, may leave a first-time defendant probation eligible. This is why so much of a serious criminal defense turns on contesting the dangerous designation rather than the charge itself.
Felony charges are prosecuted in Maricopa County Superior Court, not the municipal courts that handle misdemeanors, and the process moves faster than most people expect. If you are in custody, your initial appearance happens within roughly 24 hours of arrest. The State then establishes probable cause either through a preliminary hearing or, more commonly in Maricopa County, a confidential grand jury proceeding you and your attorney cannot attend. Arraignment follows within 10 days of the charging document if you are in custody, or 30 days if you are not. Deadlines start running immediately, which is why early representation matters.
When people are charged with crimes, they are often unsure of what they should say, what they should do, or even what the police are legally allowed to ask of them. The truth is, regardless of the charges you’re facing, you still have important constitutional rights. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area or anywhere in Arizona, you should keep the following in mind:
No matter the charges you’re facing, it’s imperative that you hire a seasoned Tempe criminal defense lawyer who can effectively represent your interests. Here at The Weingart Firm, PLLC, we put our decades of experience to work for each of our clients, and we’re here to fight for you, too. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation so we can get started working on your case. We proudly serve clients throughout Maricopa County and across the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, including in Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Goodyear.
© 2026 The Weingart Firm, PLLC. All rights reserved. Attorney advertising.
