Arizona Criminal Defense Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Arizona criminal defense attorneys who understand the state’s mandatory-minimum framework, its tough drug and DUI laws, and the new record-sealing pathway under A.R.S. § 13-911.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with an Arizona attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Arizona criminal defense case review

A Arizona attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Arizona criminal defense case

When you submit a Arizona criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Arizona law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Arizona who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a criminal defense claim in Arizona

Day 0
Arrest or charge.
Say nothing beyond identifying yourself and ask for a lawyer. Do not consent to searches. Everything after this is built on what you did not say.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Arizona criminal defense attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Days 1–14
First appearance and bail.
Your attorney addresses release conditions and gets the charging documents. In Arizona, this is where the tone of the case is set.
Weeks to months
Discovery and motions.
Police reports, video, lab work, witness statements. Motions to suppress or dismiss are filed where the evidence was obtained improperly.
Before trial
Negotiation or trial.
Most cases resolve by dismissal or plea; some go to trial. Your attorney advises on the risk of each with the actual evidence in hand.
Resolution
Outcome and record.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for Class 1 felonies (homicide); 7 years for most other felonies (A.R.S. § 13-107)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 1 year
1 year for most misdemeanors (A.R.S. § 13-107(B)(2))
Sentencing Structure: Presumptive sentencing
Presumptive sentencing under A.R.S. § 13-701 et seq. — mitigated/minimum/presumptive/maximum/aggravated terms for each felony class; mandatory enhancements for priors and dangerous offenses
Expungement / Record Sealing: Record sealing
Record sealing under A.R.S. § 13-911 (effective 2023) and set-aside of conviction under A.R.S. § 13-905. Marijuana expungement under A.R.S. § 36-2862 (Prop 207).
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail set
Bail set under Ariz. R. Crim. P. 7; constitutional right to bail (Ariz. Const. Art. II, § 22) with enumerated exceptions for capital offenses and certain felonies
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Arizona’s sentencing structure is one of the most rigid in the country. Felonies fall into six classes (Class 1 through Class 6) under A.R.S. § 13-701 to § 13-710, with presumptive, aggravated, and mitigated terms set by statute and prior-felony enhancements that can multiply exposure. Arizona’s “dangerous offense” and “repetitive offender” enhancements add mandatory minimums on top of presumptive ranges. The state legalized recreational marijuana in 2020 (Prop 207, A.R.S. § 36-2850 et seq.) and allows adults 21+ to possess up to 1 ounce, but other drug charges remain aggressively prosecuted — particularly fentanyl, methamphetamine, and trafficking. Maricopa County (Phoenix) is the fourth-largest county in the U.S. and processes a massive criminal docket. Arizona prosecutors plea-bargain extensively, but charge enhancement allegations (priors, dangerous nature, narcotics) are often used as leverage. Effective in 2022, A.R.S. § 13-911 created a new pathway to seal eligible criminal records — a major change after decades with no general expungement option.

Exhibit B

When to call a criminal defense attorney in Arizona

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Criminal Defense cases we take in Arizona

Which one is closest to yours?

DUI / Extreme DUI / Aggravated DUI

Arizona has the country’s toughest DUI scheme. Standard DUI (A.R.S. § 28-1381): 10 days minimum jail (9 suspended with interlock). Extreme DUI (.15+): 30 days. Super Extreme (.20+): 45 days. Aggravated DUI (3rd in 7 years, child under 15, suspended license): Class 4 felony with prison.

Sound like yours? A Arizona attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

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Exhibit D

How much do Arizona criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Arizona · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Arizona are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Arizona work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under ER 1.5(d) of the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Flat fees are typical for misdemeanors and many felonies; complex cases (homicide, capital, federal, multi-count) usually use hourly billing with a retainer. Many attorneys offer payment plans. The Maricopa County and Pima County public defender offices represent indigent defendants.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Arizona criminal defense compensation can include

A Arizona criminal defense recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Charge Dismissal

Outright dismissal through motion to suppress, lack of probable cause, speedy trial violation (Ariz. R. Crim. P. 8), or prosecutorial decision under Ariz. R. Crim. P. 16.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Arizona criminal defense questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Arizona attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Arizona police — especially Phoenix PD, Tucson PD, and DPS — use sophisticated interrogation tactics including pre-Miranda “casual” conversations that are fully admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and your right to counsel under Miranda. Don’t try to “explain” your way out.

Yes. Arizona Class 1 misdemeanors carry up to 6 months in jail and $2,500 fines under A.R.S. § 13-707. Many misdemeanor convictions (DUI, DV, theft) trigger collateral consequences — license suspension, immigration impact, federal firearm bans, employment issues. Diversion (TASC, deferred prosecution) is often available but only if negotiated before plea.

State cases go through Arizona Superior Court (felonies) or Justice/Municipal Court (misdemeanors). Federal cases in Arizona — there’s a massive volume given the border — are filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, Prescott) and follow the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Federal drug, immigration (8 U.S.C. § 1326 reentry), firearm, and human smuggling cases are extremely common at the Arizona border.

Arizona plea agreements under Ariz. R. Crim. P. 17 are negotiated between the County Attorney and your defense lawyer. The state typically offers a plea early — and the offer often gets worse if rejected. Your attorney evaluates whether to take diversion, plead to lesser counts, plead with stipulated sentence, or proceed to trial. Maricopa County’s plea practices differ meaningfully from Pima County’s, which differ from rural counties.

Yes — Arizona created a new sealing pathway in A.R.S. § 13-911 (effective January 2023). After completing your sentence and a waiting period (2–10 years depending on offense class), you may petition to seal the record. Set-aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 has been available longer — it doesn’t erase the conviction but adds a notation that it was set aside. Marijuana possession convictions are eligible for expungement under A.R.S. § 36-2862 (Prop 207, 2020).

Arizona handles juveniles under 18 in juvenile court under A.R.S. Title 8, but the state automatically prosecutes 15- to 17-year-olds as adults for certain serious offenses (Class 1 and 2 felonies involving dangerous offenses) under A.R.S. § 13-501 — Arizona’s “direct file” statute is broader than most states. Juvenile records can be destroyed under A.R.S. § 8-349 once the person turns 18 (or 25 for serious offenses), but adult prosecutions create permanent records.

Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. Per se BAC is .08 (.04 commercial, any amount for under-21) under A.R.S. § 28-1381. Extreme DUI (BAC ≥ .15) and Super Extreme DUI (BAC ≥ .20) carry escalating mandatory jail. Aggravated DUI (third offense in 7 years, DUI with a child under 15, DUI with a suspended license) is a Class 4 felony. Ignition interlock is mandatory for all DUI convictions for at least 12 months under A.R.S. § 28-3319.