Phoenix Criminal  Defense Lawyers 

The criminal lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC can help you if you are facing criminal charges or arrest. If you are convicted of a crime in Phoenix, Arizona, you could face jail time and fines, but also additional consequences for having a criminal record. If you are under investigation for a crime or have been arrested, it is important to understand that you are innocent until proven guilty. You have the right to remain silent. And you have the right to ask to speak to a criminal defense attorney. If you are facing criminal charges, you need a criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona who can dedicate the time to building the strongest possible case.

The Phoenix, Arizona criminal defense lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC handle a wide range of cases. We help individuals facing charges including domestic violence charges, assault charges, theft charges, drug crime charges, DUIs, extreme DUIs, underage DUIs, vehicular crimes, weapons offenses, and more. Some of these charges can result in long jail sentences, fines, the loss of a driver’s license, and other collateral consequences. If you are facing serious charges, you need a Phoenix, Arizona criminal defense lawyer dedicated to your case.

Oliverson Law, PLLC is a nationally recognized criminal law firm in Phoenix, Arizona. Our attorneys have received Premier 100 ratings from the American Academy of Trial Attorneys and have been recognized in the “Nation’s One Percent” by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Our lawyers have been working to defend the rights of those facing criminal charges for more than 30 years. Furthermore, our Phoenix, Arizona criminal lawyers bring their unique backgrounds from law enforcement, the judiciary, and from working on the prosecution. Our lawyers understand the criminal justice system from multiple angles and are here to fight for the rights of the innocent and the accused. Contact our criminal lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC today to learn more about how we can help you fight your charges.

How a Misdemeanor Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona Can Help You

Individuals facing misdemeanor charges often ask, “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” Arizona divides crimes into misdemeanors and felonies, with felony convictions carrying longer prison or jail sentences than misdemeanor charges. Misdemeanor charges often involve smaller theft charges, non-violent offenses, and DUI charges. Some examples of misdemeanors in Arizona include disorderly conduct, smaller drug crimes, reckless driving, and more. Even though misdemeanors are considered lesser criminal charges than felonies, this doesn’t necessarily mean that a person with a misdemeanor conviction “gets off easy.” Even if you don’t spend a single day in jail for a misdemeanor charge, you could face serious collateral consequences that go along with having a criminal record. What are collateral consequences?

According to the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction, misdemeanor offenses carry some serious collateral consequences including:

• Notification of federal authorities if a person convicted of a misdemeanor was present illegally in the U.S. This can result in deportation or issues with renewal of your green card or application for citizenship.
• If you are a teacher, the state board will be notified about your misdemeanor conviction.
• If you live in public housing, the public housing authorities would be notified of your misdemeanor conviction. This could have consequences for your ability to access public housing or your loved one’s ability to continue to access public housing if you will also live with them.
• Licensure issues. You could be denied a temporary Behavioral Health examiner’s license, have your appraiser’s license suspended or revoked, have your medical license suspended or revoked, have your pest management license denied, have your psychologist license denied, or be ineligible for a speech or language pathologist license, if you are found guilty of a misdemeanor. In short, a misdemeanor conviction could impact your ability to obtain or retain professional licensure.
• If you are an athletic trainer or massage therapist, your conviction would be reported to the board.
• You could be denied legal bar admission if you have a misdemeanor conviction.

Some of these consequences are discretionary, while other situations can result in immediate action and consequences. Every case is unique. If you are facing misdemeanor charges, a criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona can help you understand how a conviction could impact your life specifically.

You could also face other serious consequences, according to the Vera Institute. Individuals with misdemeanor charges face additional collateral consequences that include:

• Increased surveillance from child protective services and the risk of losing custody.
• Unemployment and lost income through either a lost job, denied work opportunities, or lost licensure.
• Eviction from public housing or denial of housing opportunities.
• Loss of certain public benefits.
• Loss of educational opportunities, through denial of student loans or admissions.
• Loss of your driver’s license.

If you are facing misdemeanor charges or even a felony charge, some individuals consider pleading guilty to a misdemeanor to avoid jail time, but may not always be aware of the consequences of pleading guilty. Yet, even if you do happen to avoid jail time, a criminal conviction won’t always let you off the hook when it comes to collateral consequences. Before you plead guilty to a crime or take a misdemeanor plea deal, you may want to speak to a misdemeanor lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona. The Phoenix, Arizona misdemeanor attorneys at Oliverson Law, PLLC can review the specific charges against you, help you understand the specific collateral consequences you might face if you plead guilty, and help you navigate your options. In some cases, a misdemeanor lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona might be able to fight to get your charges reduced or dropped, and in some cases, your attorney discovers that the evidence against you isn’t strong. Reach out to the misdemeanor lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC today. We can help you navigate the criminal justice system and help you find solutions to your situation.

At Oliverson Law PLLC, our Phoenix criminal defense lawyers are a former judge and felony prosecutors with 40+ years of combined experience. Call today to set up a free consultation to review your case.

Trespassing Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona

Criminal trespass can be either a felony or misdemeanor conviction depending on the nature of the trespassing charge. Misdemeanor criminal trespass is divided into first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree charges. Here are some examples of the different ways criminal trespass charges can be classified and understood:

• A person can face Third Degree Criminal Trespass charges when he or she is accused of remaining on private property after being asked to leave.
• A person can face Second Degree Criminal Trespass charges when he or she is accused of entering a nonresidential property or fenced-in private property.
• A person can face First Degree Criminal Trespass when he or she is accused of entering a residential property, looking into a residential structure to violate a resident’s privacy, or taking minerals from a property.
• A person can face felony trespass charges if he or she is accused of illegally entering a residential structure; burning or defacing a religious symbol on a person’s property; or when a person enters a facility offering public services illegally.

One of the big distinctions in trespassing charges involves whether the property trespassed was commercial property or residential property. If you are being charged with trespassing on private property, you could face additional penalties. Even so, any trespassing charge carries serious potential consequences.

Criminal trespass charges can carry serious jail penalties and collateral consequences. Fortunately, a person who is facing criminal trespass charges might have the ability to defend against these charges. Sometimes a person is arrested for criminal trespass, even though the person didn’t intend to trespass. For example, if there was no clear signage and you didn’t know you were on private property, you may have a defense to criminal trespass charges. If you believed you had permission to be on a property, you may also have a defense against criminal trespass.

If you are facing criminal trespass charges, you want a Phoenix, Arizona criminal trespass lawyer at Oliverson Law, PLLC on your side. Our criminal trespass attorneys can review your case, help you understand your options, and fight to have your charges dropped or reduced. Criminal trespass charges can escalate into more serious charges, like burglary if you are accused of stealing property while trespassing. It is important to have a trespassing lawyer on your side. Contact the Phoenix, Arizona trespassing lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC today.

Contact our Phoenix, Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you are facing criminal charges, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you build a strong defense, fight your charges in court, or speak to prosecutors to have your charges reduced or dropped. How can a criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona help you? Here are some ways our criminal defense attorneys help clients:

• Investigate Your Case. When police investigate your criminal charges, they work to build a case that would convince a jury or a judge that you are guilty. Your criminal defense attorney in Phoenix, Arizona can review the evidence against you, speak to witnesses, and find limitations in the state’s case against you. Sometimes the state doesn’t have a very strong case. For example, if you are facing drug charges and the evidence is solely based on field drug tests that have been known to produce false positives, your lawyer can ask that the drugs be tested in a lab or get the case thrown out if this is the only evidence the state has on you. Sometimes people accused of theft charges or trespass are wrongly identified by eyewitnesses. A criminal defense lawyer can look at all the evidence against you and fight for your freedom and innocence.
• Help You Understand Your Rights. Individuals sometimes take plea deals, but they are not always aware of the collateral consequences they face for taking these deals. Even if you don’t spend a single day in jail, having a criminal record can negatively impact your life. A criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona can help you understand your rights, investigate officers’ conduct during your arrest (to see if your civil rights were violated), and help you navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. Individuals facing DUI or drug charges may not be aware that they can sometimes find alternatives through drug court or by agreeing to substance abuse treatment. Your Phoenix, Arizona criminal defense lawyer can help you explore the full range of options available.
• Standing By Your Side Every Step of the Way. Whether you are facing police questioning or need to go to trial, your criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC can help you navigate police interrogations, and help you navigate the criminal justice system.
• Peace of Mind. Facing criminal charges can be stressful for people and their families. Having a criminal defense lawyer on your side can make all the difference in the world. While the state is required to appoint a public defender to your case if you cannot afford a lawyer on your own, many of these lawyers are overworked and may only be able to devote mere hours to your case. When so much is at stake, you need a lawyer who is able and willing to give your case the time and attention it needs and deserves.

These are just some of the ways your Phoenix criminal defense lawyer can help you. A criminal defense lawyer can also help you decide whether to take a plea deal or go to court, and help you understand other options that may be available, including drug court or treatment programs.

If you are facing criminal charges in Phoenix, Arizona, much may be at stake. Your freedom, your reputation, and sometimes even your job and your future might be on the line. You need a criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona that has your best interests in mind. The criminal defense attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC are here to help you. We understand the unique challenges you might be facing and can help you navigate the criminal justice system. Contact our criminal defense lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona today.