Phoenix Gun Crimes Lawyer
A “gun crime” can be described as a criminal act involving a gun, or a crime regarding Phoenix’s prohibited possession laws. Both types of crimes can result in felony convictions and serious legal penalties. Although Phoenix has relatively lax gun-control laws, compared to most states, law enforcement nonetheless severely disciplines those who violate the law. If you are facing charges for any type of gun crime in Arizona, our Phoenix gun crime lawyers will help. Contact our team at Corso Law Group for one-on-one legal counsel, and dependable, aggressive trial representation.
Phoenix Gun Laws
In Arizona, any individual 21 or older, may legally carry a gun, either openly or concealed, without a license. Most other states require at least a concealed carry permit for gun possession. There are exceptions to this rule, however, if you are a “prohibited possessor.” The charge for prohibited possession is called Misconduct Involving Weapons and is a class 4 felony. An individual is a prohibited possessor if they have a previous felony conviction, a mental illness, are not a legal U.S. resident, or failed to complete a firearms safety course. Some types of firearms, such as automatic weapons and modified rifles or shotguns, are strictly illegal for any person to own, operate, and carry.
If law enforcement deems that you are a prohibited possessor, or that possessing a deadly weapon poses a danger to yourself or others, you will face penalties for carrying a gun in Arizona. It is a misdemeanor or felony to break the state’s gun laws. You will face more serious punishments if found in possession of a gun on or near school grounds – even if you weren’t aware of your vicinity to a school at the time. Please contact Corso Law Group for more information, and to retain us for these serious, life-changing allegations.
Violent Gun Crimes
A gun crime, such as robbery at gunpoint, is a very different type of allegation than breaking the state’s gun possession laws. Violent crimes involving deadly weapons are felonies in Arizona. The use of a gun makes any crime more serious, and therefore subject to greater penalties, such as mandatory prison. Crimes that would normally qualify as misdemeanors may increase to felonies if the alleged offender used a gun while committing the crime. For example, simple assault can elevate to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which, if convicted, carries a mandatory prison sentence.
Examples of gun crimes that could lead to prison, are armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary, drug sale with use of a weapon, and theft with a deadly weapon. It is possible to receive a conviction for a crime with a deadly weapon, even if you used a fake gun at the time. If the gun appears to be real, and creates a real fear of harm to victims, it could lead to serious criminal charges. The best way to protect your rights in the face of gun crime allegations is with the right Phoenix gun crimes attorney. Defenses for these crimes do exist, depending on the nature of the alleged crime. To learn about your potential defense options, talk to our compassionate team. Please reach out to us at (480) 471-4616.
