Criminal Law FAQs
1. What are some of the purposes of criminal laws in Arizona?
2. What is a felony offense in Arizona?
3. What should I do if I am arrested?
4. What should I do if there is a warrant for my arrest?
5. Will my criminal case go to trial?
6. Will my attorney help me prepare for trial?
7. What should I do if I want to hire Jamal F. Allen as my attorney?
What are some of the purposes of criminal laws in Arizona?
Some of the purposes of criminal law, as codified in Title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, include: (1)To give citizens fair warning of proscribed conduct; (2) To deter; (3) To define acts or omissions along with the required mental which amount to proscribed conduct; (4) To impose just and deserved punishment; and (5) To promote accountability in sentencing.
What is a felony offense in Arizona?
A felony offense is any crime that is punishable by at least one year imprisonment.
What should I do if I am arrested?
You should, to the extent possible, remain calm. The police officers have a job to do and if you aggravate the situation it could cause more harm than good. Next, you should strongly consider refraining from giving a statement. The decision to give or not give a statement is yours.
You should know that anything you say to the police officers may be used against you in a court of law. This is true even if you believe you did nothing wrong. After being arrested many people are nervous, stressed and sometimes under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such situations, the statement you provide could be misconstrued or twisted in such a manner as to subject you criminal liability. It is often best to invoke your right to remain silent and request the assistance of an attorney.
What should I do if there is a warrant for my arrest?
If you believe there is a warrant for your arrest then you should immediately contact a criminal defense attorney. Warrants may issue if police officers believe there is probable cause to believe you committed crime, for failure to appear in court, for alleged probation or parole violations, etc. The warrant usually will not go away on its own.
Consulting a qualified defense lawyer like Jamal F. Allen will permit you to discuss your legal options, consider and/or arrange self-surrender, and have counsel present during any release or probation violation hearing. In some instances, Mr. Allen may be able to move the court of jurisdiction to quash the warrant so you may appear in court without fear of arrest.
Will my criminal case go to trial?
Every case is different. As you probably have heard, prosecutors have an extreme amount of power and discretion in our system of criminal justice. Most criminal cases may be favorably resolved prior to trial through diversion, plea agreement, dismissal, or some other compromise. The cases that do proceed to trial are usually those wherein the prosecutor seeks jail, prison or some other sanction the accused (our client) believes is inconsistent with the facts of her or his case.
The decision to proceed to jury trial is yours alone. Your attorney, of course, will provide you counsel and guidance in these regards but, ultimately, you make this important decision.
Will my attorney help me prepare for trial?
Yes. The best attorneys, like Jamal F. Allen, begin thinking of a client's possible jury trial once they are hired. As the case progresses, your attorney and his qualified investigators will collect statements, photos, reports, and other information critical to your defense. Your attorney will explain and ensure you understand the importance of the evidence.
Your attorney will also inform you who will or will not participate in your trial. Near the end of the trial preparation process you should be more relaxed and have a clearly defined understanding of what will take place from jury selection through closing arguments.
What should I do if I want to hire Jamal F. Allen as my attorney?
You should call Allen & Associates, PLC today at 480-820-300 to set up a free consultation. Also, you may send us an email or contact us through this site. Attorney Jamal F. Allen and his experienced legal staff are prepared to answer your questions and help you today.
