Legal Process & Representation

After an arrest or criminal charge, the next court date may arrive before you have a clear picture of what the charge means or what the prosecution intends to do.

At Rafael Tirado & Associates, we represent people facing criminal charges in Phoenix and prepare their defense as the case moves through the Arizona criminal court system. From early hearings through negotiations or trial, we provide legal advice and representation at each stage.

Contact us to discuss the charge and the next step in your defense. 

Initial Case Assessment

We begin by determining where your case stands and what requires immediate attention. You may contact us while an investigation is underway, shortly after an arrest, or after a court date has been scheduled, and priorities can differ at each stage. 

We review the charge or allegations, identify upcoming proceedings and deadlines, and discuss what has already occurred between you and law enforcement. If investigators or prosecutors are seeking information from you, we can advise you about your rights and speak with them on your behalf. 

Criminal Cases With Immigration Holds

We represent non-citizens when an arrest or criminal case also leads to immigration detention or removal proceedings. Our immigration practice includes deportation defense and representation in immigration bond proceedings before Immigration Court. 

An immigration detainer or transfer into immigration custody may raise separate immigration issues while the criminal case is still pending. We offer 24/7 assistance for detainees and can address the immigration issues that arise while the criminal defense is underway. 

Case-Specific Defense Strategy

We examine the prosecution's allegations and available evidence before determining how to approach the defense. A strategy that makes sense in one criminal case may be inappropriate in another, even when the charges are similar. 

Our review can include police reports, witness accounts, surveillance footage, physical evidence, and other material relevant to the allegations. We look for inconsistencies, evidentiary issues, and facts that may affect the prosecution's ability to prove the charge. 

We then develop the defense around what that review reveals. Our criminal defense representation is based on the evidence, legal issues, and circumstances of your case, not assumptions based only on the name of the charge. 

Pretrial Representation

We represent you during the court proceedings that take place before a criminal case is resolved or reaches trial. The exact sequence depends on the charge and the court, but an Arizona case can involve an initial appearance, arraignment, pretrial conferences, motions, and other hearings. 

We prepare you for the hearings that apply to your case, appear with you when required, and address the defense issues that arise at each stage. Pretrial work can also involve raising appropriate legal or evidentiary issues and negotiating with the prosecution. 

Informed Plea Decisions

We review any proposed plea with you before you decide whether to accept or reject it. A plea can determine the conviction entered against you, the sentence you may face, and consequences that extend beyond the immediate criminal case. 

For a noncitizen, that review also requires attention to immigration consequences. Under federal constitutional law, criminal defense counsel must advise a noncitizen defendant about the risk of deportation associated with a guilty plea.

Because our practice includes both criminal defense and immigration law, we consider immigration consequences as part of plea advice rather than treating them as unrelated to the criminal case. 

When prosecutors are willing to negotiate, we advocate for a resolution supported by the facts and circumstances. We explain the terms of any offer, the available alternatives, and the consequences that should be considered before you make a decision. 

The choice whether to accept a plea remains yours. Our role is to make sure you understand what you are agreeing to before you decide. 

Trial-Ready Defense

We prepare to defend you in court when the case cannot be resolved appropriately before trial. Our preparation focuses on the evidence the prosecution intends to present and the issues that remain disputed. 

At trial, the prosecution must prove the criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense can challenge the State's evidence and cross-examine prosecution witnesses, and a defendant is not required to prove innocence or present evidence. 

Our preparation may include challenging testimony and other evidence, developing the defense theory, and addressing evidentiary issues before or during trial. We represent your interests in the courtroom while keeping the defense focused on the allegations the State must prove. 

Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Phoenix, Arizona

Our founding attorney, Rafael Tirado, brings more than 20 years of legal experience to our practice, representing clients in criminal defense, immigration law, and removal and deportation proceedings. 

We advocate for our clients' rights during investigations, arrests, plea negotiations, hearings, and trials, with services available in English and Spanish. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, contact our Phoenix criminal defense attorneys to discuss where your case stands and how we can defend you through the proceedings ahead.