If you’re facing criminal charges in Flagstaff, or anywhere in Northern Arizona, the stakes are immediate. Your freedom, your record, your job, and your future may all be impacted by criminal charges. You may already know you need a criminal defense lawyer, but not all criminal defense representation is the same.
One of the strongest indicators of advanced competence is certification as a Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona. Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC is proud to share that our firm includes an attorney who has earned that distinction: Ryan J. Stevens, our certified Criminal Law Specialist. While our firm has multiple criminal defense attorneys, this certification strengthens our entire defense team, improving the strategy, preparation, and advocacy we bring to clients across Flagstaff and Northern Arizona.
Here’s what that means for you, and why it matters when your case is on the line.
What Is a “Certified Criminal Law Specialist” in Arizona?
A Certified Criminal Law Specialist is an attorney who has met the rigorous standards set by the State Bar of Arizona. It’s not a title someone can simply claim. It reflects verified experience and advanced proficiency in criminal law. For clients in Flagstaff and the surrounding region, that translates into a key advantage: your defense team has direct access to a lawyer with demonstrated, high-level criminal-law knowledge, supporting a maximally informed and strategic defense.
The Benefits of Choosing a Criminal Defense Firm with a Certified Specialist in Flagstaff
A Higher Level of Strategy for Flagstaff and Northern Arizona Cases
Criminal cases can turn on details, such as whether a stop was lawful, whether a search was constitutional, whether statements were voluntary, whether lab results stand up, and whether the State can prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Having a certified specialist on our team helps raise the strategic ceiling of our representation. From misdemeanor allegations to serious felonies, our firm is built to challenge the government’s case and protect your rights at every stage.
Better Issue-Spotting Early, When It Counts Most
In Northern Arizona criminal cases, what happens early can shape everything, including the release conditions, charging decisions, protective orders, plea negotiations, and evidentiary motions.
A certified specialist strengthens our law firm’s internal case review process, helping identify leverage points such as:
- Unlawful stops or searches
- Miranda / interview issues
- Weak or inconsistent witness accounts
- Problems with field sobriety testing, breath testing, or blood draws
- Chain-of-custody and lab testing errors
- Overcharging and negotiation pressure points
Those details can matter for suppressing evidence, reducing charges, or improving the terms of a resolution.
Trial-Level Preparation, Even When a Case Settles
Not every case goes to trial. But the best outcomes often come from being ready for trial. Prosecutors can tell when a defense team is prepared to litigate, and that can change the tone of negotiations.
A firm that includes a certified Criminal Law Specialist is positioned to bring:
- Stronger motion practice
- Refined cross-examination planning
- Organized evidentiary challenges
- Strategic sentencing mitigation (when needed)
That kind of readiness often creates leverage, whether your case resolves at an early stage or requires a courtroom fight.
A Resource That Strengthens the Entire Firm
At Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC, our criminal defense practice is collaborative. The certification earned by one attorney doesn’t replace the work of the rest of the team, but it elevates our law firm as a whole.
That means our clients benefit from:
- Team-based defense with deeper criminal-law specialization
- Internal strategy sessions and second-set-of-eyes review
- Consistent standards and systems across cases
- Fast response when time-sensitive issues arise (arrests, investigations, court deadlines)
You’re not just hiring an individual when you retain our firm. You’re hiring a firm with an elevated criminal defense team, including decades of experience and a certified specialist.
Local Perspective for Flagstaff and Northern Arizona
Every county has its own practical realities, including local procedures, courtroom expectations, and how cases typically move through the system. If your case is in Coconino County, you want a defense team that understands the local landscape and can respond quickly.
Our firm serves clients in Flagstaff, Coconino County, Yavapai County, and across Northern Arizona, with the added advantage of having a State Bar–certified Criminal Law Specialist as part of the team guiding strategy and case preparation.
Cases Where Specialized Criminal Law Experience Can Matter Most
Certification can be especially valuable in cases involving:
- DUI / aggravated DUI (including blood draw issues and license consequences)
- Felony charges (including repeat offenses)
- Domestic violence allegations
- Drug charges
- Probation violations
- Serious misdemeanor offenses
- Cases with high collateral consequences (employment, professional licenses, firearm rights, immigration concerns, reputation)
Even if your matter seems “straightforward,” the long-term consequences of a conviction can be anything but.
Why Clients Choose Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC in Flagstaff
Our client reviews speak for themselves. Clients choose our firm because they want a defense team that treats the case seriously, communicates clearly, and fights intelligently. With a State Bar of Arizona–certified Criminal Law Specialist on our team, we offer:
- Flagstaff-based criminal defense backed by advanced criminal-law Certification
- Team-oriented advocacy, not a one-size-fits-all approach
- Case preparation designed for leverage, not just processing paperwork
- Clear guidance so you can make informed decisions under stress
FAQ: Certified Criminal Law Specialists in Arizona
Does certification guarantee a result?
No lawyer can ethically promise a specific outcome. Certification is best viewed as a credible indicator of advanced competence and demonstrated experience in criminal law.
Will my case be handled by more than one attorney?
Possibly. Our firm approach is collaborative, and the presence of a certified specialist strengthens the team’s strategy and preparation. However, if you select a lawyer in our firm, you can rest assured that lawyer will be your go-to fully dedicated lawyer for your case.
Is a certified specialist still helpful if I want to resolve my case without trial?
Yes. Strong outcomes often come from early leverage, smart negotiations, and trial readiness.
Talk to a Flagstaff Criminal Defense Firm Backed by a Certified Specialist
If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation in Flagstaff or Coconino County, time matters. Early action can preserve evidence, protect your rights, and expand your options.
Contact Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC to speak with our criminal defense team and learn how having an Arizona State Bar–certified Criminal Law Specialist strengthens the strategy we bring to cases throughout Northern Arizona.
Call now at (928) 226-0165 or request a confidential consultation through our website.
