Phoenix criminal defense attorney

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Criminal Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona

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Being charged with a crime in Arizona can have serious, potentially life-changing consequences, and these consequences only increase in severity once a conviction is made. Whether it is a simple drug charge or theft crime or a much more serious violent felony, prison time, hefty fines, probation and parole, and a permanent criminal record are just a few things you can expect when convicted of a crime. Aside from these, other far-reaching repercussions may include the loss of your job, your ability to drive, your right to vote, and your access to living arrangements and education. What’s more, having a criminal record can pose difficulties with intimate relationships and child custody matters as well as the loss of several public benefits, among other things. For these reasons, it is imperative that your rights are preserved and that legal representation is obtained. Choosing the right Phoenix criminal defense attorney can make the difference between a case that’s dismissed and a case that results in conviction and an immense range of penalties.

Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony at either the state or federal level, renowned Phoenix criminal lawyer Belén Olmedo Guerra will fight to defend your rights and freedom.

What is a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Criminal defense attorneys are precisely what they sound like. They are attorneys who represent individuals accused of crimes. Should you be accused of committing a crime, you have the right to defend yourself. A criminal defense attorney can assist you in navigating the criminal justice system, preparing and asserting your legal defense, and ensuring that your rights are safeguarded at all times.

It is often extremely frightening to be questioned by police, a court, or a prosecutor on your own. Criminal defense attorneys specialize in dealing with such situations—working with law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges on a regular basis—so that you don’t have to go at it alone. These professional connections, along with a long background in state and federal law, can help your case’s outcome significantly. Your attorney will create a strategic legal defense, navigate jury selection, negotiate a plea deal, and advocate for you at trial, among many other things.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

Criminal defense attorneys take on a very difficult job. Every situation is unique, and depending on the circumstances, different strategies are required. Before taking on a new case, a criminal lawyer like Belén Olmedo Guerra will meet with you for an initial consultation. You will discuss the specifics of your case and provide your attorney with as much information as feasible during this session. Following that, she will be able to estimate the penalties that may be imposed as a result of your criminal offenses. She will then inform you of what she can do to assist you as your case progresses. From this consultation, you will decide if the Belén Law Firm is the right fit for you.

Once the criminal attorney-defendant relationship is set, your attorney will get straight to work on building and strengthening your defense. This will likely include the following:

Reviewing discovery
Developing your defense theory
Interviewing relevant witnesses
Selecting witness for court
Conducting legal research on similar cases
Scheduling and holding meetings to discuss case details
Gathering and reviewing evidence in your favor
Providing legal advice
Retaining expert witnesses, if applicable
Conducting pre-trial and trial interviews
Composing pre-trial and trial motions
Engaging in oral arguments
Making a motion to have your case dismissed before a trial begins, if appropriate
Advising you on potential plea deals
Fighting to get the best plea deal possible
Choosing a jury
Defending you at trial

Difference Between Prosecutor and Defense Attorney

In criminal law, there are two types of attorneys: prosecuting attorneys and defense lawyers. Prosecuting attorneys work for the city, state, or federal government to prosecute the accused in a court of law. A defense lawyer, also known as a criminal attorney, works on the other side, defending the accused and working to prove their innocence or otherwise lessen their charge.

Criminal defense lawyers work with four different types of crimes: misdemeanors, felonies, inchoate offenses, and strict liability offenses. Inchoate offenses may also be known as “preliminary” or “incomplete” crimes, as they refer to the act of preparing or intending to commit another crime. Strict liability offenses, on the other hand, do not require the prosecution to prove intention, knowledge, recklessness, or negligence. It also does not take into account any prior intent or mental state at the time of the crime’s occurrence.

Types of Crimes We Handle

Criminal lawyers often work with many different types of crimes. Belén is equipped to handle all types of criminal charges, including both state and federal criminal charges. This means Belén can practice in both state and federal courts, which not all criminal attorneys can do. Our law firm consists of three main divisions which guide our strategy when identifying issues and formulating a customized criminal defense plan in each case. The main Divisions are: (i) White Collar Crime, (ii) Professionals & High Profile Individuals, and (iii) Blue & Grey Collar Division, which includes non-financial crimes such as violent crimes, drug-related charges, and major felony charges. She also provides defense for juvenile crimes in Arizona, as well.

Here are some of the case types that the legal team at Belén Law Firm handle on a regular basis:

Misdemeanors
- Petty theft
- Public intoxication
- Vandalism
- Trespassing
- Prostitution
- Simple assault
- Hazing
- DUIs
  - Extreme DUI, Super Extreme DUI, aggravated DUI, etc.
- Resisting arrest
  - Passive resistance
- Other petty crimes
Felonies
- Murder
  - Both first-degree murder and second-degree murder
- Homicide
  - Vehicular homicide, negligent homicide, etc.
- Sex crimes
  - Sexual assault, rape, statutory rape, child pornography, online solicitation of a minor, etc.
- Kidnapping
- Assault in Arizona
- Aggravated assault
- Domestic violence
- Theft crimes
  - Burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, shoplifting, motor vehicle theft, etc.
- Resisting arrest
  - Using or threatening physical force or creating the risk of injury to an officer
- White-collar crimes
- Drug crimes
  - Drug trafficking, manufacturing, distribution, simple possession, etc.
- Other violent crimes
- Weapons charges

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

The best time to hire a Phoenix criminal defense attorney is as soon as possible. This is because criminal accusations, whether or not you are at fault, entail a difficult and emotionally draining process. You’ll need someone with enough legal experience to guide you through the complexities and nuances of the American criminal justice system and steer you toward a positive outcome.

At Belén Law Firm, we maintain a diverse team that we feel affords our clients the best possible criminal defense for a range of offenses. The specific charge levied against our clients is not paramount in guiding our strategy, as we believe a carefully crafted, unwavering defense is superior to a reactionary one. As a result, the quicker you are to hire our team of criminal defense lawyers, the more time we will have to build up and strengthen your defense.

Overall, it is invaluable to you and your case that you have the comfort and security of knowing someone is doing everything they can to fight for your legal rights and ultimately, your freedom.

How Much is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

It is difficult to provide an exact price point of how much you can expect a criminal defense lawyer’s services to cost, as there are a number of variables that determine the final price. Every attorney, state, and case is different and relies on its own unique circumstances. It also depends on whether your attorney bills by the hour or by the case and if they require a retainer up-front. Given this, costs for criminal defense could start anywhere from a thousand dollars and scale up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When scouting for a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, consider the phrase “you get what you pay for.” An in-demand, experienced, and successful Phoenix criminal lawyer such as those at Belén Law Firm might cost a bit more than other less-experienced firms. However, rest assured that it will pay off in the end.

If you’re facing a criminal charge, it could take months of hard work to secure you the best outcome. That will come at a price. Freedom also comes at a price. Your criminal defense lawyer will aggressively work towards your freedom, so you must determine how much that is worth to you.

Types of Defenses to a Criminal Charge

There are plenty of criminal defense strategies your Phoenix criminal lawyer may use on your behalf, though each strategy ultimately depends on the details surrounding the case. An attorney can help you identify your best legal strategy after consulting with you and learning these crucial details.

Here are some (but certainly not all) of the possible criminal defense strategies that may be available to you:

Self-defense. If an individual believes that physical force is necessary to protect themselves, the self-defense defense may be applicable.
Defense of property or premises. An individual may use the defense of property or premises if they reasonably believe physical force was necessary to prevent theft of their property or criminal trespassing onto their premises.
Defense of a third person. If an individual has sufficient reason to believe that physical force is necessary to defend a third party from harm, they may use the defense of a third person.
Duress. If an individual was forced to engage in violent crime by threat or immediate use of physical force that could result in serious physical injury, they could use this defense.
Lack of sufficient evidence. There must be enough physical evidence present to prove your association to the crime in question. As a result, insufficient evidence may be a valid defense and ultimately lead to a dismissal of charges.
Lack of mental state. An individual can use the lack of mental state as a defense if they did not have the appropriate mental state at the occurrence of the crime, or if they did not act knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally.

Why You Need a Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are considering representing yourself in a criminal case, remember that there is a reason you are legally entitled to a lawyer when you are charged with a crime. It is incredibly difficult for any person to handle their own case. Even the most experienced lawyers will typically opt to hire outside legal counsel to defend themselves in the event that they are charged with a crime. This is because being charged with a crime can be a dizzying and disorienting experience.

Think of it this way: handling a criminal case on your own is like trying to man a sailboat, of which you’ve had no prior experience, in the middle of a storm-ridden sea. A top criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate the choppy seas of the law and do so with far more accuracy and precision than you could accomplish on your own. Obtaining the assistance of an experienced, qualified Phoenix criminal defense attorney can help steer you back to shore without incident.

Contact Top Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Belén Olmedo Guerra Today

At the end of the day, a case comes down to evidence – not allegations. We treat all of our clients like high-profile cases; we believe that every case deserves high-stakes, high-profile treatment and that each of our clients should receive celebrity attention from their criminal attorneys. If you are looking for a 24-hour criminal defense attorney in Phoenix who offers aggressive representation, contact the Belén Law Firm today and request your free consultation. You may do so by calling our criminal defense law firm at 602-715-0908 or by sending us a message through our online intake form.

Criminal Defense Practice Areas

The Belen Law Firm is foremost a criminal defense firm that handles several types of criminal charges and offenses:

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What Our Clients Say

"We first hired Belen and her highly esteemed team of expert litigators. For her integrity and professionalism, but during the course of our representation, we gained a degree of personal trust and reliance far exceeding our expectations. Belen demonstrated an amazing level of genuine care and compassion and an implicit desire to keep us informed and knowledgeable of each step in the process. She is a diligent and hard worker and leaves no stone unturned. Our representation was nothing short of brilliant, creative and successful! She is without a doubt the Lady I want in my corner. I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone interested in winning their case with the least amount of headaches throughout the process."

"Belén is hands down the BEST defense attorney out there. She has the heart, compassion, determination, backbone and most of all, the desire to help her clients. Belén’s expertise and experience helped mitigate our case to receive a reduced sentence. She spent thousands of hours over the year and a half she represented our family to challenge the prosecution at every corner and on every angle. She went above what most attorneys do by hiring her own experts and investigators to ensure she went to battle fully loaded. Due to her dedication, determination and commitment, my family felt extremely satisfied and confident that she obtained the best outcome with a reduced sentence. Belén is a stand up human being who, not only represented our family, but became family. If you want the best defense attorney, Belen is your choice!"

"At a time where we felt helpless and, quite frankly traumatized, Belen stepped in and reassured us that we had options and assured us she would work her hardest for a satisfactory resolution. My teenage son needed defense against law enforcement and my family needed legal advice and support in the worst way. Despite being beaten black and blue by police officers that said he was resisting arrest, they also charged him with two felonies. We were all at a loss and Belen was able to keep us grounded as we went through the process explaining every step along the way. She worked extremely hard to expose the truth about the officer involved, and because of her hard work, the felonies were dropped. My son can go on with his life without having his record and character tarnished by these unjust accusations."

"Hire this one! I spoke to several firms before using Belen. Every other firm connected me to a sales person who refused to allow me to speak with an attorney. Belen was put on the phone when I called at 7pm on a Saturday. Belen cared about my son. He had a warrant for his arrest and did not know until he was pulled over and hauled off to jail. Belen went to the jail on Saturday, stood with my son in jail in front of the jailhouse court judge and told that judge how it was. My son walked out 2 hours later without paying for bail. The following week, she called the prosecutor and was able to get the plea reinstated from years prior that resulted in the case being fully dismissed. Also, her fees for everything were lower than the other attorneys who were trying to get me to pay over the phone. I highly recommend Belen!"