Given the Senate President’s decision, Arizona criminal justice reform likely won’t happen in 2021. When you’re dealing with a criminal case, you need a tough attorney. You need someone who has an extensive knowledge of Arizona court procedures, the court system and criminal law. If you’re being prosecuted, you can trust Todd Coolidge.
“I remember at one point in the trial they wanted to imply that he was lying. When Todd was conducting the cross-examination, he used one of the officer’s body camera videos to show a single frame that clearly showed what he had said. It was a beautiful moment when that needle in a haystack was unveiled. And that’s just one example of the kind of detail Todd Coolidge brings to his cases.” — Steven Brown
Compulsory convictions for dangerous crimes against children and sex offenses
Compulsory convictions for these types of crimes can be serious. For example, a conviction for rape or sexual assault could carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The presumptive sentence for rape is seven years, with a maximum of 14 years.
In most cases, the person must have the serve your full sentence without the possibility of parole
Possible defense against felony charges
In some cases, the mitigating factors listed above may be sufficient to justify the charges against you or all being dropped, for example when you are under extreme pressure have been compelled to commit a crime and are willing to testify against the party who compelled you to do so should the prosecutor or judge agree to drop the charges against you.
When you cannot argue that substantial mitigating circumstances are sufficient to have the charges reduced or dropped, the most common defense in a criminal proceeding is to argue that your constitutional rights were violated during or after the arrest became. For example, the arresting officer may not have read your Miranda rights, you were denied access to an attorney, or evidence against you was illegally obtained without a warrant.
Under what circumstances can a judge impose increased or reduced sentences on convictions for serious crimes?
For defendants with a first offense, a non-dangerous crime, both mitigating and aggravating circumstances are discussed. In order to reduce a sentence below the minimum penalty, the accused must demonstrate at least two mitigating circumstances. Mitigating factors may include the defendant’s age and role in the crime. In order to increase the penalty beyond the maximum penalty, two aggravating circumstances must also exist. Aggravating factors can include the victim’s age, whether a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument was involved, and whether or not an accomplice was present at the crime.
With the exception of certain drug convictions, anyone convicted of a first offense, a non-dangerous offense, is eligible for parole. The range of penalties for general crimes includes the type of crime, the reduced prison sentence, the mandatory minimum, the presumed prison sentence, the mandatory maximum and the aggravated prison sentence. The sentencing scheme is as follows:
Need help with Arizona criminal charges?
These penalties are very harsh and are usually reserved for Arizona criminals who have committed serious and often violent crimes.
If you face felony charges in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Tucson, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Peoria, Glendale or any other Arizona city, JacksonWhite criminal defense attorneys can ensure you avoid it hard sentences.