Assault Defense

Assault lawyer in Tempe with a former judge and prosecutor on your side

assault lawyer Tempe starts with one step: call Oliverson Law at (480) 582-3637. Your case may go through Tempe Municipal Court, and the arrest may involve Tempe Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, or both.

A Tempe assault case can move fast, and the first court date matters.


What can a Tempe assault case end up costing you?

Start by looking at the charge level, then match it to the court and the penalty range. In Tempe, a misdemeanor assault charge under ARS 13 1203 is usually heard in Tempe Municipal Court at 140 E 5th St, while a felony assault under ARS 13 1204 goes to Maricopa County Superior Court. That split changes what you face and how fast you need to act.

For simple assault, the source says intentional injury can mean up to 6 months jail and $2,500 fines. Fear of injury can mean up to 4 months jail and $750 fines. If your case has a domestic violence tag, the source says the court can add mandatory treatment, a firearm ban, and no contact orders. If you are also asking about license suspension, how long a DUI stays on your record, what a DUI lawyer costs, jail time, aggravated DUI, or criminal defense, get those questions on the table early so you know what else may be at risk.

Take the paperwork from your arrest and check the charge wording line by line. Then call an assault lawyer Tempe residents can reach quickly at (480) 582-3637. The sooner you do that, the sooner someone can compare the citation, the police report, and the first court notice before deadlines start to move.


How do penalties get worse for a repeat or serious assault in Tempe?

Start by checking whether the accusation is simple assault, aggravated assault, or assault with a DV designation. The source says aggravated assault for serious injury is a Class 3 felony with 2 to 8.75 years prison. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is listed as a Class 3 dangerous offense with 5 to 15 years mandatory prison. That is a very different risk than a misdemeanor in Tempe Municipal Court.

Next, look at the sentencing add ons. The source says prior felony history under ARS 13 703, dangerous offense allegations under ARS 13 704, and aggravating or mitigating factors under ARS 13 701 can change the range. That means you should not guess based on the charge title alone. You need the actual allegation, the record, and the charging paper before you know what the court may do.

If there is a DV tag, start preparing for stricter bail conditions, mandatory counseling, and a firearm ban. If the incident happened near Mill Avenue, ASU campus, Tempe Town Lake, Loop 202, US 60, or Loop 101, expect body cam footage and multi agency reports to matter. A strong assault attorney Arizona case plan starts with those facts, not with assumptions.


Which Tempe court will handle your assault case?

Start by reading your citation or release paperwork. The source says Tempe Police Department and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office paperwork should tell you the venue, and that early paperwork can shape your first move. Misdemeanor assault under ARS 13 1203 goes to Tempe Municipal Court at 140 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281. Felony assault under ARS 13 1204 goes to Maricopa County Superior Court, Tempe Division, at 18380 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85032.

Then check whether the case has a DV tag under ARS 13 3601. The source says a DV designation can affect whether the matter stays in municipal court or moves to superior court, depending on charge severity. That is why you should not wait for the court date to figure it out. You need to know who is prosecuting it, too. The source names the City of Tempe Prosecutor for misdemeanor matters and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for felony matters.

Tempe cases often involve enforcement by Tempe Police Department, backup from Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and highway patrol along US 60 and Loop 101. The source also says ASU events, nightlife on Mill Avenue, and overlap near Tempe Town Lake can shape arrest procedures. If you are searching for an assault attorney Arizona cases require, start with the right court first.


How do you defend an assault charge in Tempe?

Start with the first report and every piece of video. The source says the defense process begins with an initial assessment at Tempe Municipal Court, then evidence review from Tempe Police and Maricopa County agencies. Ask for the citation details, the body cam footage, and the report from any officer or deputy involved. If the incident happened near Mill Avenue, Rio Salado Parkway, ASU campus, or Tempe Marketplace, those details can matter because the source says those areas see frequent enforcement and camera use.

Next, look for errors in the arrest procedure and gaps in the story. The source says pretrial motions may challenge probable cause or evidence admissibility before a Tempe Municipal Court judge. That means your lawyer should compare what the police wrote with what the footage shows and what the witnesses actually said. If the charge moves to Maricopa County Superior Court, the defense may shift to plea negotiation or trial preparation.

Keep your side of the story simple and documented. Do not post about the case. Do not contact the other person if there is a no contact order. If your arrest also touched other charges, including DUI, aggravated DUI, or criminal defense issues tied to the same stop, tell your lawyer now so the defense can track every case together instead of splitting the facts apart.

  • Save every paper from the arrest.
  • Write down names, times, and locations.
  • Ask for the body cam and reports.
  • Call before the first court date.

What should you do right now after a Tempe arrest?

Start with the date, time, and court name on your paperwork. Then call Oliverson Law at (480) 582-3637 and ask for a case review. The source says Derek answers his own phone, is available 24/7, and there is no fee to talk. That lets you get your next step clear before the court clock gets ahead of you.

Next, gather the release paperwork, citation, bond conditions, and any messages tied to the incident. If the arrest involved Tempe Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, or DPS on US 60 or Loop 101, those records help your lawyer understand who made the stop and what evidence exists. If there is a domestic violence tag, a no contact order, or a weapon allegation, say that right away because the source says those facts can change the penalties and the court path.

Do not wait to see whether the case goes away on its own. Tempe cases move through municipal or superior court, and the source says early intervention gives the best chance to challenge the arrest. If you are also worried about license suspension, how long a DUI stays on your record, what a DUI lawyer costs, jail time, or aggravated DUI, ask those questions in the same call so nothing gets missed.


Why trust a former judge and prosecutor with your Tempe case?

Start with experience that covers every side of the courtroom. Derek Oliverson is listed in the source as a former judge, former prosecutor, and former police officer, and that matters because he has seen how reports are written, how offers are made, and how cases are decided. Use that kind of background to pressure test the police version before you walk into Tempe Municipal Court or Maricopa County Superior Court.

Next, use that same background to spot weak points fast. A former police officer knows what should be in a report. A former prosecutor knows what evidence the state will lean on. A former judge knows what gets attention in court. That combination can help you build a criminal defense plan that matches the charge, the venue, and the facts near Mill Avenue, ASU, Tempe Town Lake, or the Rio Salado corridor.

David Tangren is also listed as co counsel in the source, so you are not relying on one set of eyes. That matters when you need someone to read the paperwork, review the body cam, and track the charge from Tempe Police through the court system. If you are looking for an assault lawyer Arizona clients can actually reach, call the number and get the facts checked before the first appearance.


What are the DUI penalties in Arizona?

Simple Assault, Intentional Injury

Class 1 Misdemeanor. Up to 6 months jail and $2,500 fines.

Simple Assault, Fear of Injury

ARS 13 1203(A)(2). Class 2 Misdemeanor. Up to 4 months jail and $750 fines.

Aggravated Assault, Serious Injury

Class 3 Felony. 2 to 8.75 years prison.

Aggravated Assault, Deadly Weapon

ARS 13 1204(A)(2). Class 3 Dangerous. 5 to 15 years mandatory prison.

Assault with DV Designation

Enhanced penalties. Mandatory treatment, firearm ban, and no contact orders.


Why Tempe clients choose Oliverson Law

Former Judge

Derek Oliverson has been on the bench, so he knows how a court reads the file before it ever hears your side. Use that to build your defense around what the judge will actually see.

Former Prosecutor

He has also worked as a prosecutor, so he knows what the state looks for in an assault case. That helps you attack weak proof early, before the other side locks in its theory.

Former Police Officer

He has written reports from the law enforcement side, so he knows where mistakes show up. That can matter when Tempe Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, or DPS are involved.

David Tangren

The source names David Tangren as co counsel. That gives you another lawyer looking at the same facts, the same footage, and the same court path.


Read What Our Clients Say


Questions people ask us

Start by checking the charge level on your paperwork. The source says misdemeanor assault under ARS 13 1203 is heard at Tempe Municipal Court at 140 E 5th St, while felony assault under ARS 13 1204 goes to Maricopa County Superior Court at 18380 N 40th St. A DV tag can change the path, so do not guess.

Yes, if the evidence is weak, the arrest was not handled properly, or the witness story falls apart. The source says early intervention matters, and the defense may challenge probable cause or evidence admissibility in Tempe Municipal Court. Get the reports and video reviewed before your first hearing.

The source says a DV designation can lead to mandatory treatment, a firearm ban, and no contact orders. It can also affect bail and court assignment. Tell your lawyer right away if the paperwork mentions ARS 13 3601 so the defense can plan for the stricter rules.

The source says cases in Tempe and Maricopa County can take from a few months to a year or more. The exact pace depends on case complexity, court schedules, and plea talks in Tempe Municipal Court or Maricopa County Superior Court. Start early so delays do not box you in.

The source says fees vary by case complexity and that Oliverson Law offers free consultations and transparent fee structures. Call (480) 582-3637 and ask what your charge, court, and next date may mean for the work ahead. That call can also cover related concerns like license suspension or a DUI issue.


Serving Tempe and Maricopa County, Arizona

Oliverson Law defends DUI and criminal cases across Tempe, Maricopa County, and central Arizona. Pick your city below for local court details, or reach our Tempe office directly.

Don’t see your city? Call (480) 582-3637. We defend clients across Maricopa County and central Arizona.


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Written by Derek Oliverson
Founding Attorney · Former Judge, Former Prosecutor & Former Police Officer · Defending Arizona since 2009

Derek Oliverson founded Oliverson Law in 2009 and has worked every side of an Arizona courtroom, as a judge, a prosecutor, and a police officer. With co-counsel David Tangren, a former Pima County prosecutor, the firm holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating from more than 150 client reviews. Call (480) 582-3637 for a free, confidential case review.

Call now for help in Tempe

You do not need to sort this out alone. Call (480) 582-3637 now and get a clear next step from Derek Oliverson or David Tangren.

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