1. Grand Canyon Law Group (David Lish & Ryan McPhie)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI defense, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, theft crimes, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion to suppress hearings, preliminary hearings, grand jury representation, sentencing advocacy, probation violation defense
Background: Led by David Lish and Ryan McPhie, both former Deputy County Attorneys with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Decades of combined experience handling thousands of criminal cases on both the prosecution and defense sides. Extensive familiarity with Chandler Municipal Court, Kyrene Justice Court, San Marcos Justice Court, and Maricopa County Superior Court procedures.
Location: Chandler, AZ (serving Chandler and East Valley)
Contact: (480) 573-6440 | https://www.grandcanyonlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered
2. Tobin Law Office (Timothy Tobin)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI defense, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault, theft crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault, theft crimes, disorderly conduct, criminal damage
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, arraignment representation, pretrial conferences, sentencing hearings
Background: Timothy Tobin is a former prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office who prosecuted cases involving Chandler Police Department. His background includes direct experience with how cases are handled in Chandler Municipal Court (200 E. Chicago Street), Kyrene Justice Court, and San Marcos Justice Court (201 E. Chicago Street). Offers flat-rate fee arrangements for qualified cases.
Location: Chandler, AZ (near Chandler court facilities at 200 E. Chicago Street)
Contact: (480) 582-4484 | https://www.tobinlawoffice.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, flat-rate fees offered
3. JGC Law (Jeremy Geigle)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI defense, drug crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, white collar crimes, fraud, theft crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, preliminary hearings, grand jury representation, appellate work
Background: Over 20 years of criminal defense experience in Arizona courts. Recognized as Rising Star by Super Lawyers. Named to Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. Recognized as 10 Best in Arizona by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.
Location: Chandler, AZ (serving Maricopa County)
Contact: (480) 448-9800 | https://www.jgclaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
4. Nava Law Firm (Armando Nava)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI defense, drug offenses, domestic violence, violent crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, extreme DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault, theft crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, DMV hearings for DUI, motion practice, plea negotiations, probation violation hearings
Background: Armando Nava was selected to the Best Lawyers 2025 list for Criminal Defense and DUI defense. Practice serves clients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area including Chandler, Scottsdale, and Glendale. Focuses on protecting clients’ rights through thorough case investigation and defense preparation.
Location: Serving Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, AZ
Contact: (602) 910-8487 | https://www.navalawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered
5. Tamou Law Group (Michael Tamou)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI defense, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, weapons charges, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion to suppress, preliminary hearings, sentencing advocacy, probation violation defense
Background: Michael Tamou has developed familiarity with Chandler judges and prosecutors through regular practice in Chandler Municipal Court and Maricopa County Superior Court. Experience includes handling cases from initial arrest through trial and appeal. Practice emphasizes understanding local court procedures and relationships to benefit client outcomes.
Location: Chandler, AZ (serving East Valley and Maricopa County)
Contact: (480) 447-4837 | https://www.tamoulawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Arizona
Bar Admission Requirements: Attorneys must graduate from an ABA-approved law school (or qualify through alternative paths), pass the Arizona Bar Examination or qualify through Uniform Bar Exam score transfer, and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Character and fitness review is required before admission by the Arizona Supreme Court.
Specialty Certifications: The State Bar of Arizona offers certification in Criminal Law. Certified specialists must demonstrate substantial involvement in criminal law practice, pass a written examination, provide peer references, and complete enhanced continuing legal education requirements.
Continuing Legal Education: Arizona requires 15 hours of CLE annually, including three hours of professional responsibility/ethics every three years. The State Bar offers approved courses and tracks compliance.
Public Defender System: The Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office provides representation to indigent defendants in Maricopa County Superior Court. Chandler Municipal Court and local justice courts have appointed counsel systems for qualifying defendants.
Chandler Court System: Chandler Municipal Court (200 E. Chicago Street) handles Chandler Police Department citations and misdemeanor cases. Kyrene Justice Court and San Marcos Justice Court (both at 201 E. Chicago Street) handle cases from Arizona Department of Public Safety and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office within their precincts. Felony cases are transferred to Maricopa County Superior Court.
Felony Classification System: Arizona classifies felonies from Class 1 (most serious, including first-degree murder) through Class 6 (least serious). Capital felonies may carry the death penalty. Sentencing ranges depend on class, prior convictions, and aggravating or mitigating factors. Dangerous offenses (those involving dangerous weapons or serious physical injury) carry enhanced sentences.
Set Aside of Convictions: Under ARS 13-905, individuals who complete probation or sentence may petition to have their conviction set aside. A set aside vacates the judgment of guilt, dismisses the charges, and releases the person from penalties and disabilities. However, the conviction remains visible on the record with a notation that it was set aside. Ineligible offenses include dangerous offenses, sexual offenses, crimes against children, and offenses requiring sex offender registration.
Record Sealing: Effective December 31, 2022, ARS 13-911 allows individuals to petition to seal certain conviction records from public view. Sealing is broader than set aside because it hides the record from background checks. Eligibility depends on offense type and waiting periods (ranging from 2 to 10 years after completing sentence). Class 1 felonies, dangerous offenses, serious violent offenses, and sexual offenses are not eligible. If denied, individuals must wait 3 years before reapplying.
Marijuana Expungement: Under Proposition 207 and ARS 36-2862, individuals with certain marijuana-related convictions may petition for expungement, which erases the record entirely. Eligible offenses include possessing, consuming, or transporting 2.5 ounces or less of marijuana and cultivating up to 6 plants for personal use. There is no waiting period for marijuana expungement.
Restoration of Civil Rights: Under ARS 13-910, individuals may petition to restore civil rights (voting, jury service, public office) and firearm rights after completing sentence. First-time offenders may have rights automatically restored upon completion of probation for some offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens when I am arrested by Chandler Police and where will my case be heard?
A: After arrest by Chandler Police, you will be processed at the Chandler Police Department and may be held at the Maricopa County Jail for booking. For misdemeanor charges, your case will be heard at Chandler Municipal Court located at 200 E. Chicago Street. For felony charges, your case will be presented to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix or the Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa. First appearances for felonies occur quickly, typically within 24 hours, while misdemeanor arraignments are scheduled within 30 days.
Q: How does the set aside process differ from record sealing in Arizona?
A: A set aside (ARS 13-905) vacates your judgment of guilt and releases you from penalties, but the conviction remains visible on your record with a notation that it was set aside. Anyone conducting a background check will still see the conviction. Record sealing (ARS 13-911) goes further by hiding the sealed records from public view, meaning most background checks will not reveal the conviction. You may legally state you have not been convicted of the sealed offense on most job applications. Both require completing your sentence, but sealing has waiting periods of 2 to 10 years depending on offense severity. Certain serious offenses are ineligible for either remedy.
Q: What are the penalties for DUI in Arizona?
A: Arizona has strict DUI laws. First offense DUI (BAC 0.08-0.149): Class 1 misdemeanor, minimum 10 days jail (9 may be suspended), fines and fees around $1,500, 90-day license suspension, ignition interlock device, and alcohol screening. Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15-0.199): minimum 30 days jail, higher fines around $2,500. Super Extreme DUI (BAC 0.20+): minimum 45 days jail, fines around $3,250. Aggravated DUI (felony) applies when driving on a suspended license, having a child under 15 in the vehicle, or third offense within 7 years. Felony DUI carries prison sentences. Chandler DUI cases are heard in Chandler Municipal Court unless charged as felonies.
Q: What diversion programs are available in Chandler and Maricopa County?
A: Maricopa County offers several diversion programs. TASC (Treatment Assessment Screening Center) provides pre-prosecution diversion for first-time drug offenders. Successful completion results in dismissal of charges. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has a deferred prosecution program for certain first-time offenders. Drug Court and Mental Health Court provide treatment-based supervision as alternatives to incarceration for qualifying defendants. Veterans Court serves eligible veterans with criminal charges. Chandler Municipal Court may refer defendants to community service or counseling programs for minor offenses. Eligibility varies by offense type, criminal history, and victim consent.
Q: How long do I have to wait to seal my criminal record in Arizona?
A: Waiting periods under ARS 13-911 depend on offense classification. For non-victim crimes: Class 2 and 3 felonies require 10 years; Class 4, 5, and 6 felonies require 5 years; misdemeanors require 3 years (2 years if a Class 3 misdemeanor). For victim crimes, waiting periods are generally longer. Time is measured from completion of probation or sentence, including payment of fines and restitution. Certain offenses are never eligible including Class 1 felonies, dangerous offenses, serious violent offenses, sexual offenses requiring registration, and offenses against children. If your petition is denied, you must wait an additional 3 years to reapply.