Arrested or Charged with Murder or a Violent Crime?

Self-Defense or Defense of Others (A.R.S. § 13-404 / 13-406)
Arizona law permits the use of physical force — including deadly force in certain circumstances — to protect yourself or another from imminent harm. We build self-defense arguments backed by witness statements, medical evidence, surveillance footage, and physical evidence that demonstrates the force used was legally justified and necessary.

Challenging the Felony Murder Rule
Arizona’s felony murder rule can charge you with first-degree murder for participating in a qualifying felony during which someone died — even if you didn’t cause the death. We challenge whether the underlying felony was actually committed, whether the death was a foreseeable consequence, and whether your level of participation meets the legal threshold for liability.

Lack of Intent or Premeditation
First-degree murder requires proof of deliberate premeditation. If the state cannot prove the killing was planned and intentional, the charge may not hold. We present evidence of accident, sudden emotional disturbance, or circumstances inconsistent with premeditation to contest the degree of the charge and fight for a lesser classification.

Guilty Except Insane (A.R.S. § 13-502)
If a mental disorder at the time of the crime prevented you from knowing your conduct was wrong, Arizona law provides this affirmative defense. It doesn’t excuse the act, but it can significantly alter the outcome — directing the case toward treatment rather than traditional prison sentencing.

Witness Credibility & False Allegations
Many violent crime cases rest on a single witness or co-defendant testimony offered in exchange for a deal. We investigate prior statements, inconsistencies, motives to fabricate, and the reliability of eyewitness identification — which is notoriously fallible, particularly in high-stress situations with poor lighting or obstructed views.