Phoenix Violent Crime Lawyer

Violent Crime Attorney in Phoenix, AZ

Being accused of a violent crime can completely derail your life, and a conviction can have long-lasting and far-reaching consequences. You may face prison time and fines, but also reputational damage, limitations on employment and housing opportunities, and much more. When your life hangs in the balance because of criminal charges, you need an experienced Phoenix violent crime lawyer to help you defend your rights and your reputation.

Grand Canyon Law Group – Your Trusted Criminal Defense Attorneys

Facing charges for a violent crime is a stressful and overwhelming experience, and you need a Phoenix criminal defense lawyer with extensive knowledge of the law and confidence in the courtroom to help you defend yourself and protect your future. At Grand Canyon Law Group, we bring decades of combined experience and a dedicated staff to every case we take on.

Some of our criminal defense attorneys have been prosecutors themselves, meaning they have inside knowledge of how prosecuting attorneys work and how they build their cases. This gives our attorneys an upper hand as they put defenses together for our clients. They can anticipate moves the prosecution might make, allowing them to be uniquely prepared to counter them.

We pride ourselves on being available to our clients at any time of the day or night, because we know that legal emergencies do not wait for business hours. Our Phoenix office is located at 76 East Mitchell Drive, making it very convenient for our Phoenix clients to stop in, and we are always available by phone.

What Is Considered a Violent Crime in Phoenix?

In Phoenix, violent crimes are those that involve either the use of force to cause bodily harm or death or the threat of force. If, during the commission of a crime, the victim is injured or killed or reasonably believes they could be injured or killed, it is likely that the crime qualifies as a violent one.

In 2025, there were 11,734 cases of violent crime reported by the Phoenix police department. The following are some of the offenses that are considered violent crimes under Arizona law. 

Murder

When people consider violent crime, they often think of murder and related offenses. There are several categories of murder charges under Arizona law. The least serious murder-related offense is negligent homicide, which consists of accidentally causing another person’s death by acting negligently.

Manslaughter charges apply when the defendant did not intend to cause death but acted recklessly, resulting in another person’s death. Manslaughter charges may also apply if a person commits second-degree murder in response to significant and legitimate provocation on the part of the victim.

Second-degree murder and first-degree murder both involve intentional killing. The difference between the two charges lies in whether or not the crime was premeditated, meaning whether or not the offender planned the murder ahead of time. Premeditated murder results in first-degree charges, while unplanned but intentional killing results in second-degree charges.

Assault

The simple definition of assault is intentionally causing physical injury or harm to another person. Like murder, not all assault charges are equal. According to Arizona law, assault charges are classified as follows: 

• Simple assault: Simple assault is knowingly and intentionally causing bodily harm to another person, knowingly putting another person in a situation that is likely to result in bodily harm, or touching someone with the intent of injuring them or insulting them.
• Aggravated assault: Aggravated assault usually begins with the same actions as simple assault, but it involves aggravating circumstances such as the infliction of serious injury, injuring a person while they are tied up or otherwise bound, the use of a deadly weapon, and others. There were 8,165 aggravated assault incidents handled by Phoenix police during 2025, making it by far the most common violent crime in the city.

Assault charges may also accompany other forms of violent crime if actions that constitute assault are taken during the commission of the other crime.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping may not be an offense most people think of when they hear about violent crime. Nevertheless, kidnapping does fall under the violent offense umbrella because it entails the threat of force. Even if no one is physically injured in the course of a kidnapping, the victim’s belief that they are in imminent physical danger, which kidnappers use to elicit compliance from the victim, is enough to classify the offense as a violent crime.

Trafficking, whether for sex or other purposes, is also considered a violent crime and is closely related to kidnapping.

Sexual Offenses

Sexual offenses, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual crimes involving minors, are considered violent in Arizona. Like kidnapping, these offenses involve, at a minimum, the threat of physical harm to make a victim comply. Therefore, they are considered violent crimes.

Robbery

Robbery is considered a violent crime under Arizona law because it involves the threat of force to take property from a victim. Like kidnapping, committing a robbery involves making the victim afraid for their physical safety to make them comply with your demands. Robbery is different from burglary in this way. Burglary only involves breaking into someone else’s property and is not usually considered a violent crime.

This is not an exhaustive list of crimes that could be considered violent under Arizona law, but it does cover many of the most common ones. When it comes to whether or not a crime is considered violent, the bottom line is whether or not anyone was hurt or was afraid they would be. If the offense involves injuries or threats, law enforcement is likely to classify it as a violent crime.

Why Should You Hire a Violent Crime Lawyer?

Violent crime charges are serious, and they should be treated as such. If you have had charges filed against you, or if you think charges may be filed soon, you would be well advised to hire a violent crime lawyer at your earliest opportunity. Getting your lawyer involved from the very beginning can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.

Your attorney can begin helping you protect your rights by gathering as much information as possible about your case. Your attorney is legally entitled to see any evidence the prosecution has against you, and starting early can give your attorney a leg up as they begin building your defense. They may even find inconsistencies in the evidence early on that result in the case being dismissed or prove to law enforcement that you are not responsible for the crime in question.

How an Attorney Can Help

Aside from helping you put a defense together and representing you in court, your attorney can also provide valuable legal oversight during the investigation and pre-trial process. If you can, avoid answering any law enforcement questions without your attorney present, as your lawyer can advise you on how to communicate with law enforcement in a way that does not require you to incriminate yourself.

Law enforcement officers are required to follow strict procedural rules when they investigate a crime. If they fail to observe regulations, such as the requirement for a warrant if they want to search your property, any evidence they find could be inadmissible in court. In some cases, procedural mistakes even result in entire cases being dismissed. A seasoned attorney can keep a close watch for any violations of your rights during the handling of your case.

Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges

If your case does proceed, your attorney can choose a defense strategy based on the circumstances of the case and any evidence or information you are able to provide to them. The goal of a criminal defense is to either prove a client’s innocence or cast doubt on the prosecutor’s version of events. If a person undeniably committed the crime in question, their defense attorney might also try to show the judge and jury their client’s perspective.

Some common defenses against violent crime charges include the following: 

• Alibi: If you were not present at the time and place the alleged crime was committed, and you can prove that, your attorney is likely to put forward an alibi defense. An alibi can be proven through various means, including witness statements, photos, video surveillance footage, employment time cards, and other such records.
• Mistaken identity: In some cases, a defense attorney may assert that, while the alleged crime was committed as the prosecution claims, their client is not the person responsible.
• Insufficient evidence: In any criminal case, it is the responsibility of the prosecution to prove that the defendant committed the crime. Therefore, casting doubt on the prosecution’s version of events is often an effective defense strategy.
• Lack of intent: Often, violent crime charges consider the defendant’s intentions and whether or not they intended to cause harm. Your attorney may argue that you did not intend to hurt anyone or that the incident in question was an accident, depending on the available evidence and your version of events.
• Insanity: Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that, due to mental illness, psychosis, or other lapses in sanity, people commit violent crimes while unable to process or understand their own actions. In these cases, defense attorneys may argue that their client is not guilty by reason of insanity and that they did not know right from wrong or understand the implications of what they were doing at the time of the crime.
• Self-defense: The use of violence, and even deadly force, can be justified if it is done in self-defense. An attorney may argue that their client acted in self-defense if the client believed that their life or the life of another was in imminent danger at the time of the violent act.

These are just a few examples of possible defenses against violent crime charges. Your attorney can work with you to assess the particulars of your case and decide what approach to take when preparing your defense. In many cases, it makes sense to combine more than one strategy to adequately defend a client.

FAQs

Are All Violent Crimes Felonies in Phoenix?

No, not all violent crimes are considered felonies under Arizona law. Some less serious crimes may be classified as misdemeanors rather than felonies. For example, simple assault, with no weapon or intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm, may be a misdemeanor. Whether a violent crime is charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depends on the type of offense and the surrounding circumstances, such as whether or not a weapon was involved.

How Much Does a Violent Crime Lawyer Cost in Phoenix?

What you pay for a violent crime defense lawyer can vary significantly from person to person and from case to case. The ultimate expense for a lawyer depends on how complex your case is, how long it takes to resolve, and the hourly rate and fee structure set by your attorney. Many criminal defense lawyers require clients to pay an up-front fee called a retainer to begin working on a case.

Is Theft Considered a Violent Crime in Phoenix?

No, theft is not usually considered a violent crime in Phoenix. Robbery, on the other hand, is a violent crime. Theft involves taking another person’s property secretly, whereas robbery involves taking another person’s property by using force or threatening to use force. This is why robbery is classified as a violent crime while simple theft is not.

Is Arson Considered a Violent Crime in Phoenix?

Yes, unlike in some other states, arson is usually classified as a violent crime in Arizona. Arson involves intentionally setting a fire, which can result in serious injury or death to people in the area. Because of the disregard for danger associated with arson, it is considered a violent crime by the state of Arizona.

Contact A Phoenix Violent Crime Lawyer At Grand Canyon Law Group

If you find yourself facing charges for a violent crime in Phoenix, do not hesitate to secure legal counsel. The sooner you bring an experienced lawyer into your situation, the better your chances for a favorable outcome. At Grand Canyon Law Group, we are prepared to defend you, no matter what challenges may come. Contact us today to discuss your needs and find out how we can

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