Mesa, Arizona Self Defense Lawyer

Tempe Aggravated Assault Attorney

Criminal cases and the events that led up to the charges are not always black and white. There are often circumstances that explain why someone may have acted as they did — and allow them to assert a legitimate self-defense claim. Self-defense can be extremely difficult to prove in court, so claiming it requires experienced criminal defense counsel. You need counsel with command of the justification defenses available under title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

Jamal F. Allen is a former Maricopa County prosecutor. He knows that prosecutors are likely to attack self-defense claims. You need a lawyer who can put the states case on trial.

If you have been charged with a crime and believe you were justified in using or threatening to use physical or deadly force, contact our Mesa, Arizona office to schedule a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, Jamal F. Allen today.

We Will Not Assume You Are Guilty

At Allen & Associates, PLC we have successfully asserted self-defense claims on behalf of clients charged with:

  • Negligent homicide
  • Aggravated assault
  • Reckless endangerment

In Arizona, you may bring a gun into a bar as long as you are not drinking. If someone tries to attack you with a bat or knife, you can draw and possibly use your gun in self-defense. You may also defend a loved one from an attack or robbery in circumstances where you are in imminent danger and self-defense is the only option. See ARS. Title 13, Section 400.

The burden is on the defense to prove self-defense. Unlike the prosecution, however, which has to prove every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the defense only needs to show that the self-defense claim is legitimate. The prosecution then has to refute the claim.

In order to prove self-defense when firearms are involved, we sometimes consult with tactical weapons specialists, private investigators and detectives to probe details that may support your claim to self-defense. Attorney Allen is a gun rights advocate who believes that self-defense claims in weapons cases are often very winnable.

In many criminal cases where the defendant claims self-defense, unfortunately, the prosecutor’s first, second and last offers usually involve prison time. Our team will do everything we can to help negotiate lesser charges or a reduced sentence. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.