It happens all the time; maybe you’re on vacation, maybe you’re on a business trip, or maybe you’re just up to monkey business. Of the millions of people that visit Phoenix every year, hundreds if not thousands of people who don’t live in Arizona will get charged with a felony offense.
What do you do and where do you start?
It’s bad enough to get charged with a felony when you are on your home turf, but it’s worse when you are far from home, often with no resources or support. You feel like you are flying blind.
The first thing you need to do is not only to find an experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorney, but find one who has more than 25 years of experience representing clients who live out of state.
What kind of felonies do people usually get charged with?
It depends on the person, but there are certainly a few that seem to keep popping up:
- Aggravated Assault and Manslaughter – Most often I have seen business people have one too many, either at a meeting, business function, or sometimes even after a round of golf. Without any intent to hurt anyone, an accident can happen; tragically someone ends up injured or killed. When alcohol or drugs are involved, Arizona’s laws are among the toughest in the country and require mandatory prison sentences upon conviction. But with one of Phoenix’s most experienced criminal defense lawyers, this doesn’t have to happen to you.
- Transportation of Marijuana for Sale – Let’s face it, even with the legalization of marijuana is certain states, Arizona is close to the border making bulk marijuana cheaper and more profitable for those who are, shall we say, in the business. While possession of marijuana for sale is still a crime in Arizona, the reality of the situation is that the rules of basic economics (i.e. supply and demand) are still equally in effect.
What’s different about being charged with a felony when you don’t live in Arizona?
- Ability to Go Home – A standard release condition in all Arizona courts is that the defendant not be able to leave the State of Arizona. This means that you may be stuck here until your case is over. However, a skilled Phoenix criminal defense attorney may be able to petition the court to modify this condition so that you can live at home during the pendency of your case.
- Mandatory Appearances at Hearings – Another standard requirement of release is that you must attend all of your court appearances. For those who live out of state, this can mean costly travel and missed time from work. But once again, there are circumstances in which the Court will permit a defendant to appear by phone, or sometimes waive their appearance outright if the proper legal footwork is done.
Get the Home Field Advantage
Jason Lamm is one of Phoenix’s most highly regarded defense lawyers. In his more than 25 years of experience, he has represented dozens of clients charged with felonies who live outside of Arizona. He understands the delicate choreography that is necessary to allow his clients to continue their lives out of state while their cases move forward in Arizona courtrooms.
If you or someone close to you has been charged with a serious felony offense in Arizona but resides outside the state, Jason Lamm can not only provide you the criminal defense that you need but can also make sure that you are not treated as an outsider by prosecutors.
To set up a personal and confidential consultation, contact us by either submitting your information here or by call (602) 663-9100.