Phoenix Resisting Arrest Lawyer

Arizona Resisting Arrest Defense Attorneys

Resisting arrest is a serious crime in Arizona, covered under ARS 13-2508. These charges may not carry the longest prison sentences on the books, but a conviction can still affect your reputation considerably. Resisting arrest is a serious criminal charge that carries severe long-term consequences.

If you have been charged with resisting arrest in Arizona, it’s imperative that you meet with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to help you minimize your chances of a charge and facing the harshest penalties under the law. Our resisting arrest lawyers here in Phoenix will help you present a valid defense in court, and they may be able to have the charges against you lowered or dropped altogether. Contact JacksonWhite Law to get experienced legal guidance for your case.

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Types of Resisting Charges & Associated Penalties

Arizona law defines resisting arrest in ARS 13-2508. Resisting arrest can take many forms depending on the act and the context surrounding the situation. Some common examples of resisting arrest are refusing to get out of your vehicle, going limp, pushing officers away from you and threatening violence against an officer.

The different types of resisting arrest charges include:

• Passive Resistance – Passive resistance includes nonviolent physical acts that are intended to impede or delay an arrest, such as struggling when being handcuffed or refusing to get out of your car.
• Physical Resistance – This charge includes fighting with a law enforcement officer or struggling to avoid being handcuffed during an interaction. A physical resistance charge is the most serious form of resisting arrest.
• Verbal Resistance – This charge includes a refusal to comply with a law enforcement officer’s directions or aggressive language directed at a law enforcement officer during an interaction that prevents the officer from being able to do their job.
• Obstruction of Justice – An obstruction charge may include refusing to respond to officer demands, refusing to provide identification, or refusing to allow an officer to complete their duties.

The penalties for resisting arrest will also depend on the unique circumstances of each case. A passive or non-violent act intended to resist arrest can result in a class 1 misdemeanor, associated with up to six months in jail. Resistance that involved physical force or placed a law enforcement officer in significant danger can result in a class 6 felony, which can include up to a year of jail time for a first offense.

Penalties can be even higher depending on the original circumstances leading to the arrest—defendants will often face a resisting arrest charge on top of the charges for which they were initially being arrested. Depending on the actions taken to resist arrest, the prosecution may also be able to tack on additional charges, like aggravated assault against a police officer or disorderly conduct.

Because of all the ways that the prosecution can work against you, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to help you start building a defense.

How a Phoenix Resisting Arrest Lawyer Can Help

If you’ve been charged with resisting arrest in Arizona, the support of an attorney is crucial. An experienced attorney will advocate for you against the prosecution team in search of reduced or dropped charges.

Located in Phoenix, our resisting arrest lawyers at JacksonWhite support clients all throughout Arizona in combating harsh charges. We’ll stand by your side during your entire case to provide you with legal guidance and peace of mind so you don’t have to go at it alone.

Some of the ways that our attorneys can support you include:

• Advanced Legal Knowledge – We have decades of experience in Arizona, meaning we have a strong understanding of the ins and outs of Arizona laws that we can use to your advantage.
• Strategic Defense Planning – Using our understanding of your case, we’ll plan a strategic, personalized defense that improves your chances of a positive outcome.
• Effective Negotiation Skills – We have extensive experience negotiating with prosecution teams in search of a plea deal that results in reduced charges or penalties.
• Strong Court Representation – Our attorneys will represent you in court to present a strong defense and advocate for your case against a harsh prosecution team.
• Reduced Stress and Uncertainty – Facing criminal charges can be stressful and intense, but we will offer you guidance to help you navigate the challenges of the legal system more easily.

You should never face harsh criminal charges alone. An attorney is an invaluable resource that can support you with everything from understanding the law to providing you with representation in the courtroom. Contact our resisting arrest attorneys at JacksonWhite Law so we can help you navigate your case with ease.

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Our Approach to Resisting Arrest Charges

We maintain strong attention to detail and take a careful, personalized approach to each case. We begin every case with a free initial case review that allows us to understand the unique details of your case, understand your potential legal avenues and begin crafting a strong defense.

From there, we’ll take the following steps to support you in your case:

• Defense Strategy – With a detailed understanding of the facts of your case, we’ll build a personalized defense strategy that increases your chances of securing the best possible outcome.
• Investigation and Evidence Gathering – We will use our experience to capture more details about your case through a comprehensive investigation that includes gathering evidence like witness testimony and available surveillance footage.
• Legal Representation – We will represent you in all court hearings and during trial to present your defense and ensure you understand every aspect of the legal process.
• Negotiation and Plea Bargaining – We’ll negotiate with the prosecution team in search of a plea bargain that can potentially reduce your charges or associated penalties.
• All-Around Support – Not only do we work to pursue the best legal outcome in your case, but we’ll also act as your helping hand throughout the process to ensure you understand every step and have a place to turn for answers or guidance.

Our attorneys will work to promote the best legal outcome for your case while providing you comfort and security in the process. Using our experience, we’ll work to understand your case and the circumstances around it so that we can build the best possible defense strategy. When you contact us, we’ll pull out all the stops to defend you from facing harsh legal consequences.

Potential Defense Strategies for Resisting Arrest Charges

Our criminal defense attorneys at JacksonWhite Law are well-versed in building strong defense strategies with the greatest chances of helping our clients avoid harsh consequences. We’ll look at the circumstances of your case to build a defense strategy that makes the most sense for you.

Some of the defense strategies we may be able to use in your favor include:

• Unlawful Arrest – If the arrest was unlawful or not supported by probable cause, then this circumstance can outweigh and undermine the resisting arrest charges.
• Excessive Force – If the police utilized excessive force in their interaction and the defendant reacted in response, we can work to present evidence of unnecessary force and combat the resisting arrest charges.
• Misunderstanding – In situations where acts of resistance occurred in response to a misunderstanding, such as a failure of an officer to identify themselves as law enforcement, this can be used as a defense.
• Self-Defense – If police acted with excessive force or misconduct and a defendant was forced to act to defend themselves, we will present evidence to seek reduced or dropped charges.
• Within Rights – If a defendant is charged with obstruction, but their refusal to cooperate was within their legal rights, such as their right to remain silent, we may be able to build a defense around this.
• Lack of Evidence – If the prosecution’s evidence proving resistance to arrest is insufficient or flawed, we can work to dismantle their case.

The best defense strategy depends on the unique circumstances of your case and which legal avenues make the most sense for you—when you contact an experienced attorney, they will help you determine the best strategy for your situation.

Contact us today to discuss your case and begin working with our resisting arrest attorneys to learn more about how we can help you build the best possible defense.

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Possible Outcomes if You Hire JacksonWhite Law

Working with an experienced resisting arrest attorney reduces your chances of facing the harshest legal consequences. Our team at JacksonWhite Law will advocate for you in search of the best possible outcome. We will analyze all the details of your case to assess the legal avenues available and begin crafting a defense to fit so we can protect your record and your reputation.

Some of the potential outcomes we may be able to accomplish depending on the case include:

• Dismissal of Charges – With enough evidence for your defense, we may be able to get your charges dismissed so you can avoid a conviction.
• Reduction of Charges – In cases where we cannot achieve a full dismissal of your charges, we will build a defense to seek a reduction of charges to less severe charges.
• Avoidance of Jail Time – Even if you are unable to escape a conviction, we may be able to help you avoid jail time through alternative punishments, such as probation or alternative educational programs.
• Favorable Plea Deal – By negotiating with the prosecution team, we may be able to negotiate a plea deal that reduces your charges or the penalties associated with them.
• Acquittal at Trial – By building a strong defense relevant to the circumstances of your case, we may be able to secure a not guilty verdict in trial.
• Record Expungement – If you are charged and convicted of resisting arrest, we may be able to get your record expunged after the fact, helping to protect your reputation and future opportunities.

If you choose to face your charges alone, you run the risk of facing the harshest possible penalties under the law. It takes an experienced attorney to help you combat harsh charges and an experienced prosecution team, so you should always seek support. Our team of resisting arrest lawyers at JacksonWhite always strives to build a defense that increases your chances of the best possible outcome.

Schedule a Free Case Review for Resisting Arrest Charges

Resisting arrest charges can come with harsh penalties, leading up to a year in jail or more, depending on the severity of the offense. When you’re facing criminal charges in Arizona, it’s important to meet with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so that you can begin developing a defense strategy that minimizes your chances of facing harsh charges.

Our skilled team at JacksonWhite Law has an extensive track record defending clients against harsh charges. With decades of experience in criminal defense, we have been able to secure positive outcomes for countless clients facing resisting arrest charges. Through a free initial case review, our resisting arrest lawyers will develop a personalized defense seeking reduced or dropped charges.

Call the JacksonWhite Criminal Law team at (480) 467-4370 to discuss your case today.