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In Arizona, the police are serious about preventing fights, violence, assaults and disorderly conduct in bars. They respond aggressively to allegations regarding bar fights and often prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law. At AZ Defenders, we understand how bar fights often break out and know that alcohol and drugs can make situations and behaviors worse. Our Scottsdale criminal defense lawyers can help if you’ve been arrested for this alleged crime. Call (480) 568-4473 to request a free case consultation.
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Why Choose Our Bar Fight Defense Attorney?
What Charges Can a Bar Fight Lead to?
Can a Bar Fight Lead to Felony Charges?
Can Your Actions in a Bar Fight Be Considered Self-Defense?
Benefits of Hiring a Defense Attorney
What Are Potential Defenses in Your Case?
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Getting into a brawl at a bar in Scottsdale may seem like a common enough occurrence, but it could lead to serious criminal consequences for those involved. Regardless of the reason for the fight, you could face charges for assaulting someone or causing bodily injuries. The criminal charges that you may face include:
Even a simple fistfight at a bar in Scottsdale could lead to the police being called and you being placed under arrest for one or multiple crimes. If your actions result in serious physical injuries that lead to a victim’s death, you could face more significant criminal charges, such as manslaughter. If you’ve been arrested for any crime connected to a bar fight, contact a Scottsdale assault defense lawyer right away.
Yes, a bar fight could result in felony charges in Arizona in certain circumstances. Aggravated assault is a felony crime that could be charged after a brawl that involves serious physical injury or the use of a deadly weapon. A deadly weapon does not only mean a knife or gun – it could also refer to a beer bottle, broken glass or anything else used as a weapon in the bar fight. If assault is committed against a police officer, this is also a felony charge in Arizona.
A felony assault conviction could result in a sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison, as well as fines of $5,000 or more. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor crime after a bar fight in Scottsdale, you could still face jail or prison time and hefty fines. Other potential penalties include probation, a restraining order requiring you to stay away from the victim, victim restitution, community service and a mandatory anger management class.
Whether or not self-defense is a plausible defense to assault charges after a bar fight depends on the facts of the case. According to A.R.S. 13-1404, a person is justified in using or threatening physical force against another person when a reasonable person would believe that this force is necessary to protect himself against the other person’s use or attempted use of unlawful physical force. You cannot use the argument of self-defense against verbal provocation alone, however, or in a case involving assault against someone who you knew was a police officer. Finally, it is not self-defense if the defendant provoked the other person’s use of physical force.
Hiring an experienced Scottsdale bar fight defense attorney to represent you is the best way to preserve your rights and argue against these criminal charges. Your lawyer will look for the best available defense strategies to reduce the charges against you or have your case dismissed. Your lawyer can lean on knowledge of the law, connections to forensic experts and an understanding of the court system to build your defense. The right attorney can make an important difference to the outcome of your criminal case.
Your lawyer will craft a defense strategy that is suited to your unique case and needs to achieve the best possible results. Your lawyer will build your defense based on the facts of the case, such as the evidence the prosecution has against you, eyewitness statements, expert testimony and your prior criminal history. Potential defenses in a bar fight case may include:
The burden of proof in a criminal case is “proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is the highest evidentiary standard in law. Your lawyer will work to plant a seed of doubt in the prosecution’s case against you to reduce your charges or achieve case acquittal. Your lawyer will do everything possible to secure positive case results on your behalf.
If you’ve been arrested for a bar fight or brawl in Scottsdale, Arizona, you have rights. The attorneys at AZ Defenders can help you protect them with strategic and aggressive defense tactics. Our lawyers have a reputation in Arizona for being some of the finest criminal defense lawyers in the state. Find out how we can help you during a free case consultation in Scottsdale. Call us at (480) 568-4473 or contact us online to schedule a case review.