Our Experienced AZ Lawyers Provide Aggressive Defense Strategies for Your Criminal Case
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Flagstaff or Northern Arizona, you could face harsh punishments if you are convicted. However, you may have defenses that can help you beat the charges—even if you are guilty. The experienced Flagstaff criminal defense lawyers at Griffen & Stevens, PLLC understand the ramifications a criminal conviction can have on your life and are committed to mounting an aggressive defense strategy to assist you in reaching a favorable outcome in your criminal case. 
Facing criminal charges in Flagstaff or Northern Arizona can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. Arizona's criminal justice system imposes harsh penalties for convictions, ranging from hefty fines to a lengthy prison sentence.
However, even if you believe you are guilty, it is essential to understand that you have rights and options. You could have strong defenses to the charges you face even if you think you committed the crime.
Retaining a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. The legal team at Griffen & Stevens, PLLC are experienced criminal defense lawyers who will protect your legal rights. We will also provide you with a robust defense that could help you get the charges dropped or reduced to a less severe charge.
Raising All Possible Defenses in Your Arizona Criminal Case Is Vital
It is crucial to raise any defenses you may have in your criminal case. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor, such as marijuana DUI or shoplifting, or a violent crime like murder, raising all your possible defenses can have a profound impact on the outcome of your criminal case. Raising your defenses could lead to the dismissal of charges or a reduction to a less severe offense through a plea bargain.
Working closely with your attorney to identify and assert viable defenses dramatically increases the likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome in your case. This can also help you avoid the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction, which could impact your ability to obtain a job, education, housing, and much more.
Common Defenses That Can Help You in a Flagstaff Criminal Case
Our dedicated criminal defense lawyers will thoroughly investigate the evidence the police are using against you and identify potential defenses tailored to your case. Here are some common defenses we may be able to utilize in your criminal case:
Innocence
It’s possible you could be falsely accused of committing a criminal offense. If you are innocent of the crime you have been accused of, your attorney will work to gather evidence and witnesses to support your innocence. The ways we may able to prove this include the following:
- You were mistakenly identified. We may be able to argue that a witness mistakenly identified you as the person who committed the crime.
- Someone else committed the crime. Another way to fight false charges is to establish that another individual committed the offense.
- Evidence was mishandled. The police may have engaged in an illegal search or seizure of evidence against you, not collected it properly, or conducted DNA or other testing incorrectly. We may be able to file a motion to exclude this evidence or raise serious questions about its reliability.
Reasonable Doubt
One fundamental principle in the U.S. criminal justice system is that you are presumed innocent when charged with a crime. The prosecution must establish all the elements of the offense you are accused of committing and prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Your attorney will challenge the evidence presented against you, poking holes in it and casting doubt on the prosecution's case. Arguing that the prosecutor failed to meet their burden of proof is a powerful defense in criminal cases that can convince the jury to find you not guilty at a trial—even if you may be guilty.
Alibi
An alibi defense can be a persuasive defense if you can provide evidence or witnesses placing you elsewhere at the time of the alleged crime. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, and your cellphone records are types of evidence our criminal defense attorneys may use to support an alibi defense.
Self-Defense
Your lawyer will determine if self-defense is a viable defense to the charges you face. This defense requires you to show the following:
- You were defending yourself or someone else.
- You used a reasonable amount of force, given the threat you faced.
Duress
If you committed the crime under duress, meaning you were threatened with harm if you didn't act, our lawyers can argue that you were coerced into committing the offense. The threats against you must have been credible and imminent for duress to be a viable defense.
Entrapment
If law enforcement officers induced you to commit a crime that you wouldn't have otherwise committed, you may be able to raise entrapment as a defense. This defense can be difficult to prove if you have had prior convictions for the same crime.
Insanity
If you were not mentally capable of understanding the nature of your actions at the time of the offense, you may have a defense of insanity. Under ARS §13-502, you could be found guilty but insane if you can prove that you have a mental illness or disease that prevented you from knowing that the criminal act you are accused of committing was wrong.
Failure to Receive Miranda Warnings
If law enforcement failed to advise you of your Miranda rights under the U.S. Constitution during your arrest, any statements you made may be inadmissible in court. If the prosecution cannot use a confession or statements you made, their case against you could be significantly weakened, or they may be forced to dismiss the charges.
Other Constitutional Violations and Police Errors
Your attorney will examine whether your constitutional rights were violated during your arrest. In addition, they will scrutinize the methods used by law enforcement to collect evidence, challenging any errors or misconduct that may have occurred.
Common violations of your constitutional rights or police errors that may be used in your defense include the following:
- Illegal search and seizure. If the police did not have a valid search warrant or probable cause to stop you without a warrant, your constitutional right against unlawful searches and seizures may have been violated. This could result in crucial evidence being used against you being inadmissible in court.
- Right to be represented by an attorney. You have a constitutional right to be represented by a criminal defense lawyer in your criminal case. If you exercise this right but the police continue questioning you without providing you with a lawyer, your statements could be suppressed.
- Police errors. The police could make many mistakes in their criminal investigation and collection of evidence against you. Not securing the crime scene, improper collection of evidence, breaks in the chain of custody once evidence is collected, and errors in forensic testing could be grounds for filing a motion to suppress evidence the police used to arrest you.
How You Can Help Your Lawyer Defend You
It is crucial that you work together with your criminal defense lawyer to fight the criminal charges you face. As a team with your attorney, there are several ways you can contribute to your defense:
- Answer your lawyer's questions honestly. Be truthful with your attorney about the details of your case. This will enable them to provide you with the best possible defenses.
- Discuss your objectives in resolving your case. Communicate your goals and concerns with your criminal defense lawyer so they can tailor their defense strategy to meet your needs.
- Remain silent. Don't talk about your case with anyone other than your attorney to avoid inadvertently incriminating yourself.
- Provide any requested documents promptly. Cooperate with your lawyer's requests for documents and information, as timely access to evidence is crucial to building a strong defense.
- Remain informed about your case. Stay updated on the progress of your case and any developments that may arise. Also, be certain that your attorney knows how to contact you.
- Attend all court hearings. Make sure to attend all scheduled court hearings and appointments with your lawyer. You could face additional charges if you do not go to required court hearings, and this may weaken your attorney's ability to defend you.
- Stay off social media. Avoid posting about your case on social media, as anything you say can be used against you in court.
- Follow your lawyer's advice. One of the most important ways to help your experienced criminal defense lawyer is to follow their advice. They are looking out for your best interests. They can assist you in meeting your goals better if you follow their guidance while your criminal case is being resolved.