Arizona Weapons Offenses – Phoenix Criminal Lawyer Explains These Crimes

According to a recent Arizona law, you can carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Governor Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1108 into law in the summer of 2010. Now U.S. citizens who are 21-years-old or older can carry a concealed firearm without having to apply for a permit in Arizona. However, if you use that concealed firearm or another dangerous instrument with the purpose of causing harm or damage, you could be charged with an Arizona weapons offense.

The definitions relating to weapons offenses can be found in Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-105 (12) and (15).  Under the law, a dangerous instrument can be “anything that under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.” A deadly weapon is defined a little differently. It is basically something that is “designed for lethal use,” of which a firearm is a prime example.

Common Arizona Weapons Offenses

Any of the following activities involving weapons could lead a criminal offense:

• Discharging a firearm illegally
• Possessing a stolen weapon
• Possessing an illegal weapon
• Using a weapon to commit a crime
• Assaulting someone with a deadly weapon
• Committing a drive-by shooting
• Violating parole by possessing a firearm

The prosecution will not go easy on you if they believe you have committed a criminal offense involving a weapon. You could be facing a jail or prison sentence. The consequences could be even worse if someone was injured.

Before you do anything regarding the accusations against you, contact a Phoenix criminal lawyer. You need a qualified and experienced attorney on your side who will defend you against the allegations.

For a free case evaluation or to simply have your questions answered, contact the Arizona criminal lawyers at the law firm of Curry, Pearson & Wooten, PLC by calling 602-258-1000 or toll free at 1-888-9AZLAWCOM (888-929-5292).  You can also fill out our online form to get in contact with one of our attorneys.

Be sure to order your FREE copy of our book, Arizona Criminal Law – What You Must Know. It will provide insight into how criminal cases are handled in our state.