A criminal defense attorney in Phoenix represents individuals who have been arrested, charged, or are under investigation for a crime in Arizona. At Feldman Royle Ahl, our attorneys review police reports, analyze evidence, identify constitutional violations, negotiate with Maricopa County prosecutors, and - when necessary - take cases to trial. We handle everything from the initial arrest through sentencing, appeals, and post-conviction relief. Our goal in every case is to protect your rights, minimize consequences, and pursue the best possible outcome whether that means a dismissal, reduced charges, or a not-guilty verdict at trial.
The cost of hiring a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix depends on the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the experience of the attorney. Misdemeanor cases generally cost less than serious felony or federal cases, which require significantly more preparation and court time. At Feldman Royle Ahl, we offer a free initial consultation so you can understand your situation and discuss fees before making any commitment. We believe experienced criminal defense should be accessible - contact us at (602) 899-8000 to discuss your case and get a clear picture of what representation will involve.
Public defenders are licensed attorneys, but they carry extremely high caseloads - often hundreds of cases at a time - which limits the time and resources they can dedicate to any single client. A private criminal defense attorney in Phoenix works with a smaller caseload, giving your case more focused attention, more thorough investigation, and stronger preparation for negotiations or trial. If you are facing felony charges, DUI, sex crimes, or any offense that could result in prison time, the difference in representation can directly affect your outcome. At Feldman Royle Ahl, we offer a free consultation so you can make an informed decision about your defense.
Arizona has some of the strictest sentencing standards in the country. Felony convictions are classified from Class 6 (least severe) to Class 1 (most severe), and penalties range from probation and fines for lower-level offenses to mandatory prison sentences and even the death penalty for Class 1 felonies such as first-degree murder. Beyond imprisonment, a felony conviction in Arizona can result in loss of voting rights, loss of the right to possess firearms, restrictions on employment and housing, and immigration consequences. Many felonies also carry mandatory prison terms even for first-time offenders under Arizona law. If you are facing felony charges in Phoenix or Maricopa County, contact Feldman Royle Ahl immediately for a free consultation.
Yes - criminal charges in Arizona can be dismissed before trial under several circumstances. Common grounds include insufficient evidence, violations of your constitutional rights (such as an unlawful search or seizure under the Fourth Amendment), improper police procedures, witness credibility issues, or prosecutorial discretion. As former prosecutors, the attorneys at Feldman Royle Ahl understand exactly how Maricopa County prosecutors evaluate their cases - and where those cases are vulnerable. We begin looking for dismissal opportunities from the moment we are retained. Pre-trial dismissals and charge reductions are among the most common outcomes we pursue for our clients across Phoenix and Maricopa County.
If you are arrested for DUI in Phoenix, you will typically be taken into custody, booked, and may face an administrative license suspension through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) within 15 days of your arrest - separate from any criminal court proceedings. You will be charged under Arizona's DUI laws, which include misdemeanor DUI (BAC of 0.08% or higher), Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.15% or higher), and Super Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.20% or higher), each carrying mandatory jail time, fines, and license suspension. Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation. Contacting a Phoenix DUI defense attorney as early as possible - ideally within the first 24 hours - gives you the best chance of challenging the stop, the testing procedures, and the evidence before charges are fully processed.
You should contact a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix as soon as possible - ideally before making any statements to law enforcement. Under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Anything you say after an arrest can and will be used against you. Early involvement by an experienced defense attorney allows us to preserve critical evidence, intervene before formal charges are filed in some cases, and begin building your defense strategy from day one. At Feldman Royle Ahl, we are reachable by phone, email, and text. Call (602) 899-8000 immediately if you or a loved one has been arrested in the Phoenix area.
Yes. Feldman Royle Ahl handles both Arizona state criminal charges and federal criminal charges filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Federal cases - which may involve drug trafficking, money laundering, wire fraud, RICO, identity theft, child pornography, and other offenses - are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office with substantial investigative resources from agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and IRS. Federal sentencing guidelines are strict and often result in longer sentences than comparable state charges. Our attorneys are admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, and bring the same aggressive, strategic defense approach to federal cases that we apply to state court matters.
In Arizona, criminal offenses are classified as either misdemeanors or felonies based on their severity. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses divided into three classes - Class 1 (most serious, up to 6 months in jail), Class 2 (up to 4 months), and Class 3 (up to 30 days). Felonies are more serious offenses ranging from Class 6 (minimum prison exposure) to Class 1 (maximum penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty). The key practical differences include the length of potential incarceration, whether the sentence is served in county jail or state prison, and the long-term consequences - felony convictions carry significantly greater collateral consequences including loss of civil rights, firearm restrictions, and impacts on employment and housing. Both misdemeanor and felony charges warrant experienced legal representation.
Do: Clearly and calmly state that you are invoking your right to remain silent and that you want an attorney present before answering any questions. You are required to identify yourself in Arizona (provide your name) if lawfully detained, but you are not required to answer other questions. Be respectful and do not physically resist.
Do not: Answer questions without an attorney present, consent to a search of your vehicle, home, or belongings without a warrant, make statements you believe are harmless - even casual conversation can be used against you. Do not assume that cooperating will result in leniency; prosecutors use statements made to police as evidence regardless of your intent. Contact Feldman Royle Ahl at (602) 899-8000 as soon as possible - the sooner we are involved, the more options are available to protect your case.
Initial Consultation and Listening
Thorough Case Review & Strategy Development
Clear Communication & Transparent Guidance
Advocacy & Personalized Representation
Result-Focused Resolution & Ongoing Support
Respect, Compassion & Commitment
Facing criminal charges in Arizona means going up against experienced prosecutors backed by the full resources of the state. You need a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix who has been on that side of the courtroom - and knows how to beat it.
At Feldman Royle Ahl, our founding attorneys are former prosecutors who spent years handling serious felony cases before dedicating their careers to criminal defense. That experience gives us a distinct advantage in every case we take - from DUI and drug charges to sex crimes, homicide, and white-collar offenses across Maricopa County.
Our founding attorneys spent years as prosecutors in Arizona courts before switching sides. We know exactly how the Maricopa County Attorney's Office builds its cases — and more importantly, where those cases fall apart.
From Maricopa County Superior Court to Justice Courts across the Valley, our criminal defense attorneys have handled thousands of cases involving DUI, felony charges, sex crimes, drug offenses, and violent crimes in the same courtrooms where your case will be heard.
We measure success by outcomes — charges dismissed, cases reduced to lesser offenses, and not-guilty verdicts delivered at trial. Every case gets the same relentless preparation whether it settles or goes before a jury.
An arrest doesn't wait for business hours. Our Phoenix criminal defense attorneys are reachable by phone, email, and text — so you're never left wondering what happens next.
We don't handle divorces, personal injury, or business disputes. Criminal defense is all we do — which means every resource, every strategy, and every attorney at this firm is focused entirely on defending your case.
Our attorneys have been called on by ABC News, CNN, Fox News, and NPR as trusted legal commentators — a reflection of the credibility and expertise we bring to every client we represent.
We have handled thousands of cases across Phoenix, and throughout Maricopa County - and we measure our work by results. Charges dismissed. Sentences reduced. Not-guilty verdicts at trial.
Call (602) 899-8000 for a free consultation - because the sooner we're involved, the more options you have.
After police have investigated your case, they will either make an arrest, request an arrest warrant or submit the charges to the prosecutor for charging. The initial arrest is the first of the 8 steps in the criminal justice process and can often be one of the more stressful.
Most people think domestic violence only occurs between a husband and wife or those in a romantic relationship. While a crime between a husband and wife would certainly qualify as “domestic violence,” many people are surprised to learn that the crime of “domestic violence” under Arizona law includes a far broader range of disputes beyond those between family members or romantic partners.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus and its ongoing threat to public health, our firm is taking extra precautions to protect our clients and staff while we remain open and committed to meeting your legal needs. To minimize exposure, we are taking measures to reduce contact among our clients and staff. When possible, meetings will be conducted…
