1. DM Cantor
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, domestic violence, assault crimes, drug offenses, sex crimes, violent crimes, fraud and theft
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI (all levels), domestic violence, aggravated assault, drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, theft, fraud, white collar crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, pre-indictment representation, sentencing mitigation, appeals
Background: DM Cantor was founded by David Michael Cantor, a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist since 1999, certified by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. David began his career at the Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office as a Trial Attorney, where he achieved a record of 30 jury trial convictions with zero losses. He then worked for a private criminal defense firm for approximately 3.5 years, conducting nearly 80 criminal defense jury trials before founding his own firm. The firm includes multiple Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists, including Managing Partner Christine Whalin. DM Cantor reports over 5,000 criminal case victories in Arizona, including over 165 complete jury trial acquittals (not guilty on all charges). The firm has been recognized as a top Scottsdale law firm multiple years and handles cases involving U.S. District Court and Arizona state courts.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Contact: (602) 307-0808 | https://dmcantor.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, 24-hour hotline
2. Salwin Law Group (Stewart Salwin)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft, domestic violence
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft crimes, domestic violence, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, case investigation
Background: Attorney Stewart Salwin is a Scottsdale-based attorney who represents people accused of misdemeanor and felony crimes. Salwin was raised in Arizona and graduated from Paradise Valley High School. He attended Georgetown University where he studied government and worked with the late Senator John McCain. After college, Salwin attended Harvard Law School, where he was taught by attorneys including Alan Dershowitz, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, and the former solicitor general for President Ronald Reagan. Upon graduating Harvard Law School, Salwin returned to Arizona and began his legal career at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor. There he handled thousands of criminal cases at all levels. He spent the majority of his five years as a prosecutor in the Major Crimes Division, where he worked on the most serious felony crimes.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ (serving Greater Phoenix area)
Contact: https://www.salwinlaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available
3. Rosenstein Law Group
Practice Focus: DUI/DWI defense, criminal defense, traffic violations, drug crimes, vehicular offenses
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI (all levels including extreme and super extreme), vehicular manslaughter, drug offenses, traffic crimes, ignition interlock violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, administrative license hearings, DMV hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, appeals
Background: Established in 2007, Rosenstein Law Group is based in Scottsdale and serves the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Craig J. Rosenstein, the firm’s founder, is one of only five board-certified DUI specialists in Arizona, certified by the National College for DUI Defense. He graduated from Arizona State University College of Law in 2006 and is licensed in Arizona, New Mexico, and the U.S. Federal District Court in Arizona. The firm has over 100 years of combined experience among its attorneys and has handled thousands of DUI and criminal cases throughout Arizona. Attorney Jonathan Goebel is also board-certified in DUI defense and has litigated criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to complex felony cases throughout Arizona.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Contact: (480) 248-7666 | https://www.rosensteinlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available
4. Hallam Law Group
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft, sex crimes, domestic violence
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft, sex crimes, domestic violence, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing mitigation, case investigation
Background: Hallam Law Group provides criminal defense representation in Scottsdale and throughout Maricopa County. The firm’s cornerstone is personal attention, with attorneys making themselves available for client communication throughout the case. The firm handles a wide range of both felony and misdemeanor cases. The founding attorney began working for the Public Defender’s office while still a law student in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, building experience on the front line of the criminal justice system from the early stages of her career.
Location: 3838 North Central Avenue, Suite 1800, Phoenix, AZ 85012 (serving Scottsdale)
Contact: (602) 237-5373 | https://www.hallamlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, Spanish language services available (Se habla Español)
5. Law Offices of David A. Black
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, white collar crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, white collar crimes, federal crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense in state and federal courts, motion practice, plea negotiations, pre-indictment representation, appeals
Background: The Law Offices of David A. Black serves Scottsdale and the Greater Phoenix area with criminal defense representation. Attorney David A. Black is a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. He has extensive experience handling criminal matters ranging from misdemeanor charges to complex felony cases in both state and federal courts. The firm provides defense representation for the full spectrum of criminal offenses.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Contact: https://www.arizonacriminaldefenseattorney.com
Consultation: Consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Arizona
Arizona requires all attorneys to be admitted to the State Bar of Arizona to practice law in the state. Admission requires passing the Arizona Bar Examination and demonstrating good moral character through a character and fitness evaluation. Attorneys must complete 15 hours of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) every year, with at least 3 hours devoted to legal ethics.
The State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization certifies specialists in ten practice areas, including criminal law. To become a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist, an attorney must have been admitted to practice law continuously for at least 7 years and have engaged in the practice of law within Arizona during the 2 immediately preceding years. Applicants must demonstrate substantial involvement in criminal law, devoting at least 50% of a full-time practice to criminal matters for the 5 years preceding the application. Certification requirements include a minimum of 10 felony jury trials (with 5 involving a mandatory sentence of 5 years or more), 15 evidentiary hearings with substantial contested issues, and 5 appeals or post-conviction proceedings. Certified specialists must pass a written examination and demonstrate high ethical standards and competence. Re-certification is required every five years.
Arizona operates public defender systems through county offices. The Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office handles cases for indigent defendants in Scottsdale and throughout the county. The Legal Defender’s Office provides additional indigent defense services. Court-appointed private attorneys supplement public defender services when conflicts arise or caseloads require. Eligibility for appointed counsel is based on financial need.
Arizona classifies felonies into six classes. Class 1 felonies are reserved for first-degree and second-degree murder, carrying penalties from 10 years to life imprisonment or the death penalty for first-degree murder with aggravating factors. Class 2 felonies carry standard sentences of 4 to 10 years with a presumptive sentence of 5 years. Class 3 felonies carry 2.5 to 7 years with a presumptive sentence of 3.5 years. Class 4 felonies carry 1.5 to 3 years with a presumptive sentence of 2.5 years. Class 5 felonies carry 9 months to 2 years with a presumptive sentence of 1.5 years. Class 6 felonies carry 4 months to 2 years with a presumptive sentence of 1 year.
Misdemeanors in Arizona are classified into three classes. Class 1 misdemeanors carry up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $2,500. Class 2 misdemeanors carry up to 4 months and fines up to $750. Class 3 misdemeanors carry up to 30 days and fines up to $500.
Arizona distinguishes between dangerous and non-dangerous felonies. Dangerous felonies involve the use or threat of violence, deadly weapons, or dangerous instruments and carry mandatory prison sentences without eligibility for probation. Sentencing ranges for dangerous offenses are significantly enhanced.
Arizona uses sentencing guidelines that include mitigated, minimum, presumptive, maximum, and aggravated sentences for each felony class. Judges typically impose the presumptive sentence unless mitigating or aggravating factors justify deviation.
Arizona allows for “set aside” of criminal convictions under ARS Section 13-905 after completion of the sentence, which restores certain civil rights but does not erase the record. Recent legislation has expanded record sealing options for certain offenses.
Arizona maintains the death penalty for first-degree murder with aggravating factors, though executions have faced legal challenges and practical obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where will my Scottsdale criminal case be heard?
A: Criminal cases in Scottsdale are heard in different courts depending on the severity of the offense. Misdemeanor cases and city ordinance violations occurring within Scottsdale city limits are heard in Scottsdale City Court, located at 3700 N. 75th Street. Felony cases and some misdemeanors are heard in Maricopa County Superior Court at various locations, with the primary courthouse at 201 W. Jefferson Street in Phoenix. Preliminary hearings for felony charges may occur in justice courts or municipal courts before cases are transferred to Superior Court for arraignment and trial. The Maricopa County Jail system includes multiple facilities, with the 4th Avenue Jail at 201 S. 4th Avenue in Phoenix serving as the primary intake facility.
Q: What are the penalties for a first-time DUI in Arizona?
A: Arizona has strict DUI laws with significant penalties even for first offenses. A standard first-offense DUI (BAC of 0.08 to 0.149 percent) is a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying a minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail (9 days may be suspended upon completion of alcohol screening and treatment), fines and fees totaling approximately $1,500 or more, license suspension for 90 days (restricted permit may be available after 30 days), mandatory alcohol screening and education or treatment, installation of an ignition interlock device, and up to 5 years of probation. An Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.15 to 0.199 percent) carries a minimum of 30 consecutive days in jail. A Super Extreme DUI (BAC of 0.20 percent or higher) carries a minimum of 45 consecutive days in jail. These mandatory jail minimums cannot be suspended except as specifically allowed by statute.
Q: What is the difference between a dangerous and non-dangerous felony in Arizona?
A: Under Arizona law, a dangerous offense is any felony involving the discharge, use, or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury on another person. The distinction significantly affects sentencing options. Dangerous offenses carry mandatory prison sentences, meaning probation is not available regardless of mitigating factors or lack of criminal history. Prison terms for dangerous offenses are substantially longer than for non-dangerous offenses of the same class. For example, a non-dangerous Class 2 felony carries 3 to 12.5 years for a first offense, while a dangerous Class 2 felony carries 7 to 21 years. Non-dangerous first-offense felonies may be eligible for probation at the court’s discretion.
Q: Does Maricopa County offer diversion programs for criminal defendants?
A: Maricopa County offers several diversion and alternative sentencing programs for qualifying defendants. TASC (Treatment Assessment Screening Center) provides drug and alcohol education and treatment programs that may result in charge dismissal for certain drug offenses. First-time offenders charged with non-violent crimes may qualify for deferred prosecution programs offered by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Drug Court provides treatment-focused supervision for eligible defendants with substance abuse issues. Veterans Court serves eligible veterans with specialized programming. Mental Health Court addresses the needs of defendants with mental health conditions. RESTORE (Responsibility, Education, Stabilization, Treatment, and Re-entry) provides services for certain defendants. Successful completion of these programs may result in dismissal of charges or reduced sentences. Eligibility depends on the offense type, criminal history, and willingness to comply with program requirements.
Q: Can I get my criminal record sealed or set aside in Arizona?
A: Arizona provides several options for addressing criminal records. A “set aside” under ARS Section 13-905 is available for most completed sentences and releases the defendant from penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction, restores civil rights (except firearm rights for certain offenses), but does not erase the record. The conviction remains visible but shows it was set aside. Arizona recently enacted record sealing laws under ARS Section 13-911 that allow eligible individuals to petition for sealing of certain criminal records after waiting periods. Sealing makes the record inaccessible to the public and most background checks. Eligibility depends on the offense type and time since completion of sentence. Certain offenses are not eligible for sealing, including dangerous offenses, serious violent crimes, sex offenses involving minors, and offenses requiring sex offender registration. Class 2 and 3 felonies require a 10-year waiting period; Class 4, 5, and 6 felonies require a 5-year waiting period; and misdemeanors require a 3-year waiting period.