1. St. Louis Huffman Law
Practice Focus: DUI/DWI defense, criminal defense, domestic violence, drug offenses, sex crimes, violent crimes, weapons charges
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI (including extreme and super extreme DUI), domestic violence, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, weapons charges, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, suppression hearings, DMV hearings, jury trials, appeals, constitutional challenges
Background: Joseph P. St. Louis has practiced criminal defense since 1987. He is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the State Bar of Arizona (since 2000) and Board Certified in DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense (since 2012). He earned his J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law (1987) and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Arizona (1984). Mr. St. Louis has represented clients at over 200 jury trials. He holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in the DUI specialty area since 2013. He served as Past President of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and currently serves as a Regent of the National College for DUI Defense. In 2003, he served as a part-time Justice of the Peace in Pima County. Partner Ryan Huffman is a former head of the Vehicular Crimes Unit of the Pima County Attorney’s Office with over thirteen years of trial experience.
Location: 177 N. Church Avenue, Suite 800, Tucson, AZ 85701
Contact: (520) 622-1222 | https://www.azdefense.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Damianakos Law Firm, PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, domestic violence, drug offenses, violent crimes, federal crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, domestic violence, drug offenses, violent crimes, federal crimes, criminal traffic offenses, theft, shoplifting, assault, probation violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, expungements, set asides, restoration of civil rights, restoration of firearm rights, record sealing, early probation termination, felony reduction to misdemeanor
Background: Elias Damianakos is a former Arizona state prosecutor who has handled hundreds of criminal cases. He worked for the Tucson Prosecutor’s Office and the Pima County Attorney’s Office. He was a past nominee for Prosecutor of the Year in Arizona. Mr. Damianakos holds bar admissions in Arizona, New York, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. He earned his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law. He has over 17 years of experience in criminal defense. Mr. Damianakos has successfully defended doctors, teachers, nurses, lawyers, military personnel, law enforcement officers, and business professionals.
Location: 177 N. Church Avenue, Suite 605, Tucson, AZ 85701
Contact: (520) 222-8270 | [email protected] | https://www.damianakoslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, theft, fraud, violent crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI (first time, extreme, super extreme, aggravated, repeat offenders, underage, CDL), drug charges, domestic violence, sex offenses, theft, assault and battery, fraud, white collar crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, constitutional challenges, jury trials, evidence suppression
Background: Efthymios Katsarelis has over 20 years of experience in criminal defense. He returned to private practice in 2021 after serving in public service roles. He holds a J.D. from Aristotelion Panepistimion Thessalonikis (2004), an LLM from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (2009), and a J.D. from UIC John Marshall Law School (2011). He served on the Arizona Bar Criminal Practice and Procedure Committee (2019-present). He has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion awards. The firm has 45 years of combined experience and has helped thousands of clients successfully resolve their legal issues.
Location: 177 N. Church Avenue, Suite 900, Tucson, AZ 85701
Contact: (520) 510-0439 | https://katsarelislaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. The Behan Law Group, P.L.L.C.
Practice Focus: DUI/DWI defense, criminal defense, drug offenses, theft, sex offenses, white collar crimes, federal crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI (first-time, extreme, aggravated, underage), drug offenses, theft crimes, sex offenses, violent crimes, white collar crimes, federal criminal charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, DMV hearings, plea negotiations, constitutional challenges, appeals, appellate writing, cross-examination
Background: Michelle Behan founded The Behan Law Group in 2017. She is Board Certified in DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense (2021), becoming the fourth woman in the United States and the only woman in Arizona to hold this certification. She is a U.S. Navy Veteran (honorably discharged after nearly ten years as a Cryptologist) and former FBI Special Agent. She earned her J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (2013), where she received the Darrow K. Soll Award for criminal defense. She also holds a B.S. from Park University and an M.S. from City University of Seattle. She is admitted to practice before the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and the U.S. Supreme Court (since 2016). She was awarded the 2015 Tucson Women’s Commission Rising Star Award and received the NCDD Stephen Barnard Memorial Trial Advocacy Award. She previously worked as an Assistant Public Defender and as an associate at Nesci and St. Louis. The firm has won eight out of nine jury trials since 2020.
Location: 945 N. Stone Avenue, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85705
Contact: (520) 220-5047 | https://www.missduiarizona.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Tamou Law Group PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault and violent crimes, theft, domestic violence
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI (standard and extreme), drug offenses (possession, trafficking, distribution, marijuana, methamphetamine, prescription drugs), assault (simple and aggravated), violent crimes, theft, domestic violence
Legal Services: Trial defense, court representation, plea negotiations, post-trial options, appeals, expungement assistance, post-conviction relief
Background: Michael Tamou leads the Tamou Law Group with extensive experience defending clients in Arizona courts. The firm practices in Pima County Superior Court, Tucson City Court, and Pima Justice Court. The firm maintains familiarity with Arizona Revised Statutes including ARS Section 28-1381 (DUI), ARS Section 28-1382 (Extreme DUI), ARS Section 13-3401 (drug offenses), and ARS Section 13-1203 (assault). The team has established relationships with local courts and understands Pima County court procedures.
Location: Tucson, AZ (Pima County)
Contact: https://tamoulawgroup.com
Consultation: Consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Arizona
Arizona attorneys must pass the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) with a minimum score of 270 (effective July 2023) or transfer a qualifying UBE score from another jurisdiction. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) requires a minimum passing score of 85. Before admission, applicants must complete a course on Arizona law covering Arizona-specific topics including Criminal Procedure. The Committee on Character and Fitness conducts background investigations including criminal history checks through law enforcement agencies.
Arizona offers Board Certification in Criminal Law through the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. Eligibility requires at least 7 years of continuous bar admission, with the preceding 2 years practicing within Arizona. Applicants must demonstrate that at least 50% of their practice over the preceding 5 years was devoted to criminal law. Certification involves peer reviews, specialized legal education requirements, and examination.
The public defender system in Arizona includes county public defender offices such as the Pima County Public Defender, the Pima County Legal Defender’s Office, the Pima County Legal Advocate’s Office, and the Office of Court Appointed Counsel. Eligibility for appointed counsel is determined by indigency standards set by the courts. Misdemeanors occurring within Tucson city limits are handled by the City of Tucson Public Defender’s Office unless charged alongside a felony.
Arizona Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requires 15 credit hours annually. The compliance period runs from July 1 to June 30, with affidavits due by September 15. Three hours must be in legal ethics, professionalism, or professional responsibility. Failure to comply by December 15 may result in summary suspension.
Arizona classifies felonies into six classes (Class 1 through Class 6), with Class 1 being the most severe (reserved for first-degree and second-degree murder). Class 1 felonies carry penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty. Class 2 through Class 6 felonies carry graduated sentencing ranges based on dangerousness designation, prior felony history, and presence of aggravating or mitigating factors. First-time offenders for non-dangerous offenses from Class 2 through Class 6 may be eligible for probation.
Arizona maintains the death penalty. Capital defense attorneys must meet specific qualification requirements including demonstrated experience in serious felony trials and completion of specialized training. The Arizona Capital Representation Project provides resources for capital defense.
Arizona’s expungement and record sealing laws include: (1) Set Aside of Conviction under ARS 13-905, which releases a person from penalties and disabilities of conviction but does not seal the record; (2) Record Sealing under ARS 13-911 (effective January 1, 2023), which allows eligible persons to petition to seal conviction records after waiting periods (10 years for Class 2 or 3 felonies, 5 years for Class 4, 5, or 6 felonies, 3 years for Class 1 misdemeanors, 2 years for Class 2 or 3 misdemeanors); (3) Marijuana Expungement under ARS 36-2862 for certain marijuana offenses. Dangerous offenses, sex offenses, offenses against children, and certain other categories are ineligible for sealing.
Arizona bail and pretrial release laws require an initial appearance within 24 hours of arrest, where a judge sets release conditions based on flight risk, community safety, and pretrial services risk assessment. Options include release on own recognizance, supervised release, third-party supervision, or cash bond. Pima County has implemented bail reform initiatives including a county-funded bail program for lower-level defendants with bonds of $30,000 or less who are not charged with homicide, sex crimes, or child exploitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at an initial appearance in Pima County?
Within 24 hours of arrest, the defendant appears before a judge who confirms identity, explains the allegations, and sets release conditions. This may occur at the Pima County Jail court facility or the appropriate local court. The judge reviews information from Pretrial Services regarding background and risk factors to determine whether pretrial detention is necessary or whether the defendant may be released on recognizance, supervised release, third-party supervision, or cash bond. Victim and community safety are primary considerations.
How does the arraignment process work in Pima County Superior Court?
At arraignment, a hearing officer informs the defendant of the next court date and assigned judge. The court advises the defendant of rights including the right to a speedy trial, right to an attorney, right to plead not guilty, and right to remain silent. If release conditions were not previously established, the hearing officer sets them at this time. For defendants with appointed counsel, one public defender typically handles arraignments for all defendants that day rather than their assigned attorney.
What are the penalties for DUI in Arizona?
Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country with mandatory jail time for every DUI offense, even first offenses without prior criminal history. A standard DUI conviction under ARS 28-1381 carries mandatory minimum jail time, license suspension, ignition interlock device installation for alcohol-related DUIs, alcohol or drug treatment classes, attendance at a Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel, and fines. Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15 or higher) and Super Extreme DUI (BAC 0.20 or higher) carry enhanced penalties. Aggravated DUI is a Class 4 felony that may result from third offenses within 7 years, DUI with a suspended license, DUI with a passenger under 15, or DUI while required to have an ignition interlock device.
How can I get my criminal record sealed in Arizona?
Under ARS 13-911 (effective January 1, 2023), eligible persons may petition the court to seal conviction records after completing all sentence terms including payment of fines, fees, and restitution, and after the applicable waiting period: 10 years for Class 2 or 3 felonies, 5 years for Class 4, 5, or 6 felonies, 3 years for Class 1 misdemeanors, and 2 years for Class 2 or 3 misdemeanors. Prior felony convictions add 5 years to the waiting period. Certain offenses are ineligible including dangerous offenses, sex offenses, offenses against children, and offenses requiring sex offender registration. Alternatively, a Set Aside under ARS 13-905 does not seal the record but releases the person from penalties and disabilities of the conviction.
How do I qualify for a public defender in Pima County?
The Pima County Public Defender represents indigent individuals upon appointment by the court in felony cases, misdemeanor cases (except City of Tucson misdemeanors handled by the Tucson City Public Defender), juvenile delinquency matters, dependency proceedings, and appeals. To qualify, defendants must demonstrate financial inability to afford private counsel based on income and asset guidelines established by the court. At the initial appearance or arraignment, the court evaluates whether the defendant qualifies for appointed counsel. If the Public Defender has a conflict of interest, the case may be assigned to the Pima County Legal Defender’s Office, the Pima County Legal Advocate’s Office, or the Office of Court Appointed Counsel.