In Arizona, the definition of domestic violence (DV) is quite broad. You won’t find this charge as its own crime in state laws. Instead, you will face a DV penalty in addition to underlying charges for other acts if you have a domestic relationship with the alleged victim.
The domestic violence designation could apply to multiple underlying crimes, including the following:
- Criminal damage or trespassing
- Disorderly conduct
- Physical, sexual, or aggravated ssault
- Endangerment
- Harassment
- Kidnapping
- Negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder
- Stalking, intimidating, or threatening
- Unlawful imprisonment
Your Relationship to the Victim Determines Whether DV Applies
To meet the state’s definition of domestic violence, you need to have a specific relationship with the other party involved. Keep in mind that these types of charges apply to more than just legally married couples. If you have or have ever had a romantic relationship with the victim, lived with the victim, or if you have a child together, your relationship qualifies. Domestic violence charges can also apply to crimes committed against blood relations, relatives by marriage or court order, and children in your home who are related to your spouse or roommate. When you’re unsure whether your relationship with the victim makes DV charges applicable, contact Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law, for assistance.Penalties You May Face
Since Arizona charges for domestic violence along with the crime it involves and not as a crime on its own, the penalties stem from those given for the base crime. However, if your original charges come with DV charges, you will receive additional penalties on top of what you would receive for the base charges. This means that, when your conviction involves domestic violence, you could serve more jail time, undergo mandatory DV counseling, and experience other negative consequences. The exact domestic violence penalties you will face depending on what you are charged with. If, for example, you’re charged with a Class 3 DV misdemeanor, you could face up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $500. However, if your case involves serious bodily injury sustained by the alleged victim, that’s a Class 3 dangerous felony that carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, and fines up to $100,000. Multiple convictions for crimes with a domestic violence charge can increase your penalties, too. Being convicted of a DV crime three times or more over a period of 84 months in Arizona is a Class 5 felony, making you subject to fines and a prison sentence of up to 2.5 years.The Domestic Violence Legal Process
In Arizona, the state has up to one year to file a charge against you for alleged domestic violence if it’s a misdemeanor. For felonies, the state has up to seven years. Once you are officially charged, it is best to enter a “not guilty” plea. Here, it’s wise to speak to an attorney about how to proceed. Your attorney will help you during this time and offer you guidance, advice, and a realistic outline of your case. The legal process is not an easy one for domestic violence charges. While you can attempt to handle your case on your own, this could result in a worse outcome than if you had legal representation.I am Here to Help
An experienced attorney like Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law, can help you craft a defense strategy that is appropriate for your situation. There are many possible defenses to domestic violence charges including that the wrong party is being charged, self-defense, acts in defense of someone else, false accusations, police misconduct, and lack of evidence. The right approach in your case could lead to reduced charges or even a dismissal of your case altogether. When you are facing serious charges, contact an attorney for assistance as soon as you can. Being convicted of a serious crime will impact your life for many months and even years to come, and your very freedom could even be on the line. In this type of situation, you simply can’t afford to leave anything about your case to chance.Understanding Domestic Violence Charges in Arizona See more on: https://www.azcrimlaw.com Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law
10601 N Hayden Rd, #I-103
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 860-4321
The age of consent is defined as the minimum age when a person is considered old enough to participate legally in any sexual activity. Age of consent differs from state to state. In Arizona, the age of consent is set at 18 years old. This means that a person who is 17 years old or below is not considered legally able to consent to sexual activity. This is because they are not yet considered an adult. Even if the person involved consented to the sexual act, if they are 17 years old or below, their partner can be implicated in a crime if they engage in any sexual act with them. Interestingly, these statutory offences make any sexual conduct a crime if one is not at least 18 years of age. This is actually relatively common in the practice of criminal law. This is due to multiple factors and it doesn’t necessarily involve adults with sexually predatory behaviors. As long as one of the parties involved is below the age of consent, their partner could potentially be charged with a sex crime, especially if their parent or legal guardian takes issue with the action. It is a relatively common occurrence for a number of reasons. First, both men and women under the age of consent may be involved in sexual acts, willingly or otherwise. Also, sexual experimentation and promiscuity are high in America, even at a young age. Those who can file charges for a sex crime include the minor himself/herself and their parents/guardians. Regardless of the reason for such charges, the consequences for the accused can be severe: it can even be filed as a felony charge, depending on factors such as the age of the child (the lower the age below the age of consent, and the wider the age difference, the harsher the penalties are), the presence of exploitation, coercion, and/or harassment, and involvement with other criminal acts (pornography, prostitution). Potential charges can increase further depending on these factors. The committing of a sex crime that involves minors, is heavily condemned worldwide for good reason. However, it must be recognized that not everyone who is charged with such a crime is rightfully indicted. A lot of these cases are filed as an act of retaliation, either by parents who do not agree with their child entering a relationship at a young age or someone who wants to get revenge on an ex. Because of the severe punishments involved in sexual acts committed under the age of consent, legal intervention is necessary to settle such cases fairly. Both the accuser (the person under the age of consent and/or their representatives) and the defendant (the person accused of being involved in sexual acts with a person under the age of consent) have the right to proper legal representation in such cases. That means getting the right criminal attorney to represent them in the process of resolving such cases. If you are dealing with a case involving the Arizona age of consent, the best thing you can do is to ask for legal advice. Get legal assistance here at Robert A. Dodell, Attorney At Law. A lawyer for more than 30 years, my practice focuses on criminal law. I can provide legal assistance in Scottsdale, 
This is especially so in Arizona, a state boasting arguably the toughest DUI laws in the United States. One of the most common questions I receive is if it is possible to get a DUI when you aren’t driving. In this article, I will try to answer this question and provide other handy info on the state’s DUI laws. The short answer to this question is “Yes”, you can still get a DUI offence even when you are not driving. This is made possible by the clause in DUI law known as “actual physical control”. This part of the law states that, if you are in actual physical control of a vehicle, even when you are NOT driving it, you can be charged with, and possibly convicted for, a DUI. Whether the person is in “actual physical control” or is driving, Arizona’s severe penalties are the same. It is still a major inconvenience that has affected many people based on our experience in handling these cases. So how does “actual physical control” come into play? Actual physical control can be invoked when your car is running, regardless of which seat you are in at the time of the apprehension. You can also be considered to have physical control of the vehicle even when the engine is turned off. If the car keys are slotted in the ignition (even when the car is not running) and/or you are sitting at the driver’s seat, you can be charged with a DUI as well. Also, being at the driver’s seat and having possession of the keys (ex.: in your pocket) can also be grounds to suggest you had physical control of a motor vehicle. There are other situations surrounding your arrest that can further increase your chance of being given a DUI charge, even when you are not driving. If your car is parked at an inappropriate spot, like in the middle of the road, you are more likely than not going to be assumed to have parked it while inebriated. If your car is obstructing someone’s private property or your presence is preventing another car from moving, you’re more likely to be flagged for a DUI. The worst thing is getting involved in an accident, even when your car is not moving. You cannot be charged with a DUI if you do not have alcohol or other illicit substances in your system. A DUI in Arizona is filed if you are in actual physical control or in the operation of a motor vehicle and (1) impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol or drugs, (2) have a blood alcohol concentration is measured at .08% BAC and above, or (3) have any illicit drugs in your system. So, how can you avoid incurring a DUI offence? Make sure to not drive with alcohol or drugs in your system. For everything else, it would be best to know your rights as a defendant. You can be indicted with a DUI if you are in possession of a motor vehicle and intoxicated. However, it must be ascertained first that you are indeed driving or in actual physical control of the vehicle and that you are acting inappropriately on the road. So, there you have it. Even if the terms may sound counter-intuitive, it is indeed possible that you can be charged with a DUI when you are not driving. If you are dealing with a DUI case and/or have been implicated in one, then you need legal help to protect your rights and keep your criminal record clean. The help of a criminal lawyer will prove valuable in such situations. You can get the legal help you need right here at Robert A. Dodell, Attorney At Law. With over 30 years of experience in criminal law, Attorney Dodell knows how to defend DUI cases in Tempe. If you want to know more about the services of Robert A. Dodell or you want to set up an appointment, you can visit the office at 10601 N Hayden Rd, #I-103, Scottsdale, AZ. You can also call me at