48
Hours matter
Evidence locks in. Deadlines pass. Witnesses disappear.
Free
Consultation
No cost. No pressure. Just real answers about your case.
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Phoenix courts
We know the judges, prosecutors, and the system inside out.
A criminal charge can turn your life upside down in a single day. Whether you’re facing a DUI stop on the I-17, a weapons charge in Maricopa County, or a white collar investigation that arrived without warning, you need someone who knows Phoenix courts, Arizona law, and exactly how prosecutors build their cases. The Law Office of Bard Weinstein, PLLC serves clients across the Phoenix metro with focused, strategic criminal defense representation.
Phoenix Criminal Defense clients who wait too long to hire an attorney often lose options that could have changed everything. Evidence gets locked in. Deadlines pass. Witnesses become harder to reach. The decisions you make in the first 48 hours after an arrest matter more than most people realize.
A criminal defense attorney protects your constitutional rights, challenges the government’s evidence, and works to get charges reduced, dismissed, or result in an acquittal at trial. In Arizona, criminal cases move through the Maricopa County Superior Court or the Phoenix Municipal Court depending on the severity of the charge. Knowing which court your case lands in, and what each judge and prosecutor expects, makes a real difference in how your case is handled.
Arizona law can be unforgiving. A felony conviction can close doors to employment, housing, and professional licenses for years. Even a misdemeanor conviction shows up on background checks that employers, landlords, and licensing boards run routinely. That’s exactly why having a defense attorney review your situation early matters so much.
From DUI charges and assault allegations to theft, weapons charges, and fraud investigations, each case type carries its own procedures, deadlines, and defense strategies. One approach does not fit all. Treating a DUI like a shoplifting charge, or a white collar investigation like a simple traffic matter, leads to poor outcomes for the person charged.
People charged with crimes in Phoenix come from every background. A first-time offense on a Saturday night in Ahwatukee looks very different on paper than a repeat charge filed out of a Glendale precinct, but both deserve a serious defense. The Law Office of Bard Weinstein, PLLC works with individuals facing charges that range from minor in possession and underage drinking to aggravated DUI, assault, manslaughter, and complex fraud cases.
Students near Arizona State University's Tempe campus face drug and alcohol charges that can follow them long after graduation.
Professionals in north Phoenix neighborhoods like Deer Valley or Norterra worry about how a white collar investigation could damage their careers.
Families dealing with juvenile DUI charges want to protect their child's future before a single mistake defines it.
If you've searched for a criminal defense attorney near me and felt overwhelmed by the options, you're not alone. Contact us to talk through your situation without pressure or judgment. A free consultation is the first step to understanding what your options actually are.
DUI charges are among the most common criminal matters handled in Phoenix courts, and Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. A standard DUI applies at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent, but Arizona also prosecutes extreme DUI cases at 0.15 percent and super extreme DUI cases at 0.20 percent, each carrying significantly harsher penalties.
Breath tests malfunction. Field sobriety tests get administered incorrectly. Traffic stops sometimes lack the legal justification required under the Fourth Amendment. A solid DUI defense often starts with scrutinizing the stop itself, not just the test results.
Can result in jail time, fines, license suspension, and mandatory ignition interlock installation.
A felony charge that can carry prison time in some circumstances.
Charges can affect college admissions, scholarships, and professional licensing.
Including cannabis DUI, are prosecuted heavily under Arizona law and carry serious penalties.
Violent crime and weapons offenses carry serious consequences under Arizona law. Assault charges range from misdemeanor disorderly conduct to aggravated assault and manslaughter, depending on the facts. A murder defense case is among the most serious matters any court handles — and the stakes demand thorough preparation from day one.
White collar investigations move differently than street-level arrests. They often begin quietly — with a subpoena, an audit, or a call from a government agency. By the time many people realize they're under investigation, the government has been building its case for months.
Fraud, embezzlement, and related financial crimes are complex and can involve federal charges, state charges, or both at once. Because the prosecution moves methodically behind the scenes, countering their momentum demands an immediate, organized evaluation of the facts.
Prosecutors handling fraud and embezzlement cases in Phoenix work with detailed paper trails, digital records, and cooperating witnesses. A defense attorney must understand financial evidence down to the line item, challenge the government's theory, and identify structural weaknesses long before trial. Early representation can shift the trajectory of an investigation — and directly affect whether charges are filed at all.
Arizona law allows record sealing and the setting aside of certain convictions under specific conditions. These remedies aren't automatic, and not every case qualifies. A set aside under A.R.S. § 13-907 lets a court vacate a judgment of guilt and dismiss the charges once a sentence is completed.
Can make certain criminal records inaccessible to most employers and landlords.
May allow some first-time offenders to avoid a conviction entirely.
Not all offenses qualify for sealing or set aside relief under Arizona law.
Timing requirements and petition procedures vary widely by case type.
Why Choose Us
Located at 2550 W. Union Hills Dr., Suite 350 in Phoenix, the firm serves clients across the metro area including Peoria, Surprise, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Mesa. Knowing the local courts, the prosecutors who staff them, and the procedural rhythms of each courtroom is knowledge that only comes from consistent local practice.
The right motion at the right time can change the trajectory of a case. Missing a deadline can cost you dearly.
Clients get direct, honest assessments of where they stand — not vague reassurances or false hope.
Whether dismissal, reduced charges, diversion, or acquittal at trial — your rights are protected at every turn.
Ready to Talk? Free consultation — no pressure, just real answers.
Stay calm, do not answer questions beyond providing basic identification, and request an attorney immediately. Under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, you have the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning. Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible, ideally before speaking with police beyond confirming your identity.
Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of the case, the charges involved, and the amount of work required. Misdemeanor defense typically costs less than felony or trial representation. Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation to discuss the case and fee structure before any commitment is made.
Yes, DUI charges can be dismissed under certain circumstances. Common grounds include an unlawful traffic stop, improperly administered field sobriety tests, faulty breathalyzer calibration, or chain-of-custody issues with blood samples. An attorney can review the details of your arrest to identify any procedural or constitutional problems.
In Arizona, misdemeanors are class 1, 2, or 3 offenses that carry jail sentences of up to six months, depending on class. Felonies are class 1 through 6 offenses that carry prison sentences and have more serious long-term consequences, including restrictions on voting rights, firearm possession, and professional licensing.
A diversion program allows certain first-time or low-level offenders to complete conditions such as counseling, community service, or education programs in exchange for having charges dismissed. Eligibility depends on the charge type, prior criminal history, and prosecutorial discretion. Not everyone qualifies, and an attorney can help you determine whether diversion is a realistic option.
Arizona’s record sealing law, effective January 2023, allows many people with criminal convictions to petition to seal their records after completing their sentence and waiting the required period. Certain serious offenses are excluded. Sealing a record does not erase it entirely but restricts access in most civil background check situations.
An arraignment is your first formal court appearance after charges are filed. At arraignment, the judge reads the charges against you, and you enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Most criminal defense attorneys advise clients to plead not guilty at arraignment to preserve time and options for case review and negotiation.
Yes. Even a first-time offense can carry jail time, fines, a criminal record, and collateral consequences that affect employment and housing for years. An attorney can identify defenses, negotiate reduced charges, pursue diversion, or challenge the evidence in ways that are simply not available to someone representing themselves.
Free Consultation
Talk to The Law Office of Bard Weinstein, PLLC today. Call 310-483-9043 or reach out online for your free consultation. Straight answers, no pressure — just honest guidance on what comes next.
