Arizona classifies criminal offenses into felony, misdemeanor, and minor offenses. The classification is in order of seriousness, with felony offenses being grave crimes compared to misdemeanors and minor offenses. A felony conviction almost guarantees a loss of personal freedom upon conviction, including life imprisonment. In some instances, a conviction may lead to the death penalty.

A felony charge includes serious crimes like murder, rape, aggravated assault, felony DUI, some domestic violence offenses, some white-collar crimes, burglary, and the sale of an illegal drug or controlled substance. Accordingly, Arizona severely punishes felony crimes with a conviction having immense consequences, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines.

A felony is such a serious offense that even after serving your prison sentence, you may no longer be able to enjoy some civil rights like owning a gun or working in specific industries. Interestingly, even an arrest without a conviction is likely to have a negative impact, including damaging your reputation, among other collateral consequences like losing employment opportunities.

With a felony charge likely to change your life completely, you need to protect your legal rights. You should not face felony charges without solid legal representation. If you are in Phoenix, AZ, you can contact our well-qualified Phoenix felony defense attorneys at Huselid & Huselid Law.

Penalties for Felony Offenses in Arizona

Arizona further categorizes felonies in order of seriousness into several levels, from a Class 6 felony to a Class 1 felony. Class 1 felonies are the most serious and include crimes like murder. Penalties for felony offenses in Arizona are according to these classifications and include:

Class 1: life in prison or the death penalty for first-degree murder and not less than 16 years up to life imprisonment for second-degree murder.

Class 2: a prison sentence of a minimum of four years for a non-dangerous crime and a maximum of 35 years if there are aggravating factors.

Class 3: a prison term of not less than two years and six months for non-dangerous crimes and up to 25 years for more serious crimes and repeat offenders.

Class 4: a prison sentence of between 18 months and 16 years, depending on the nature of the crime and if it is a repeat offense

Class 5: a prison term of a between nine months and 7.5 years, depending on a crime’s unique circumstances

Class 6: a prison sentence of between six months and six years. The court can sometimes reduce a Class 6 felony to a class 1 misdemeanor.

A felony conviction may also have additional penalties depending on the type of crime, including fines of up to $150,000, court-ordered restitution, a drug treatment program in place of imprisonment, and registration as a sex offender.

Common Defenses to a Felony Charge in Arizona

In criminal charges, the prosecution has the burden of proof. However, you must develop a solid defense strategy to overcome felony charges. While every felony offense is unique, there are some common defenses that skilled criminal defenses attorneys use against felony charges, including:

1. Alibi – the defense strategy involves showing you could not have committed the crime as you were somewhere else when the crime was committed. It applies to felony offenses like burglary, but you need evidence to support your alibi defense. You can provide testimonies and witness to support your case.
2. Self-defense – this involves showing that your actions were not intentional, but you acted in self-defense or defense of others under dangerous circumstances. The defense may be applicable in felony charges like murder and aggravated assault.
3. False accusations – the defense involves showing that someone is falsely accusing you of a crime you did not commit. The accusation may be malicious or due to a mistake of fact, including mistaken identity.
4. Unlawful arrest – the defense involves showing police misconduct during your arrest, including a violation of your constitutional rights. For instance, the police coerced a confession, arrested you without probable cause, or failed to give a Miranda warning.

Contact a Phoenix Felony Defense Attorney

A felony conviction almost guarantees imprisonment, besides derailing your life in many other ways. However, a skilled felony defense attorney can fight for your legal rights while guiding you through the complex criminal justice system. If you are facing felony charges in Phoenix, AZ, contact our skilled and experienced Phoenix felony defense lawyers at Huselid & Huselid Law. We are committed to defending your rights and using the best defense strategy to get the court to either reduce or dismiss the felony charges. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about our criminal defense services.