Tamou Law Group, PLLC

Our team includes former prosecutors, former law enforcement, and experienced criminal defense attorneys who appear regularly in Maricopa County Superior Court and in municipal and justice courts across the Valley. The firm handles cases from the pre-arrest investigation stage through negotiation, trial, and post-charge work.

Types of Criminal and DUI Cases We Handle

Tamou Law Group focuses exclusively on criminal cases, including:

• DUI and DWI
• Drug crimes
• Violent crimes
• Sex crimes
• Domestic violence offenses
• Theft crimes
• White collar crimes
• Property crimes
• Vehicular crimes
• Traffic offenses
• Probation violations
• Record sealing, expungement, and restoration of rights matters

If you have been arrested, charged, or believe you are under investigation for any criminal offense in Arizona, Tamou Law Group offers aggressive defense tailored to your specific situation.

Firm Approach

• Dedicated exclusively to criminal defense and DUI representation
• Led by founding attorney Michael Tamou, with substantial trial and case-handling experience in Arizona criminal courts
• Defense strategies tailored to the facts of each case, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
• Focus on challenging the State's evidence and protecting clients' constitutional rights at every stage of the case

For immediate help with any criminal or DUI matter in Arizona, potential clients are encouraged to call the firm directly for a free, confidential consultation.

Tamou Law Group publishes the following general guidance for people who have been arrested or charged in Arizona. This information is not a substitute for legal advice about your specific situation; you should speak directly with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Immediate Steps After an Arrest or Charge

1. Stay Silent After an Arrest

• Invoke your right to remain silent.
• Do not talk to police or investigators about what happened without an attorney present.
• Anything you say can be used against you later.

2. Request a Lawyer Immediately

• Clearly tell officers you want to speak with a lawyer.
• Once you ask for a lawyer, police questioning must stop.
• Contact Tamou Law Group as soon as possible to begin protecting your rights.

3. Avoid Making Uninformed Decisions

• Do not accept deals, sign documents, or consent to searches before talking with a lawyer.
• Do not answer detailed questions about the incident without legal advice.
• Quick decisions made under pressure can seriously harm your case.

4. Be Respectful During Police Interactions

• Remain calm and respectful, even while asserting your rights.
• Do not argue, resist, or become combative with officers.
• Additional charges such as disorderly conduct or resisting arrest can arise from confrontations.

5. Follow Your Lawyer's Advice and Attend All Court Dates

• Once you hire a lawyer, follow their instructions closely.
• Always appear for scheduled court hearings and meetings.
• Missing court or failing to comply with requirements can result in warrants, additional charges, or worse outcomes.

How Tamou Law Group Can Help

• Provides 24/7 availability by phone for people charged with crimes in Arizona.
• Offers a free, confidential consultation to review your situation and explain your options.
• Focuses exclusively on criminal defense and DUI representation across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Maricopa County, and Arizona.

For advice tailored to your case, contact Tamou Law Group directly at 623-321-4699.

• Phone (call or text): 623-321-4699
• Toll-free phone: 833-529-9687
• Consultations: Free and confidential initial consultation
• Availability: Phones answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

You can also contact the firm by submitting a message through the contact form on the Tamou Law Group website.

Office Locations

Tamou Law Group has two office locations in the Phoenix metro area:

Phoenix Office

• Address: 2390 E Camelback Rd, Suite 130, Phoenix, AZ 85016
• In-person meetings are available by appointment.

Scottsdale Office

• Address: 9375 E Shea Blvd, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
• In-person meetings are available by appointment.

Service Area

Tamou Law Group represents clients in criminal and DUI matters across:

• Phoenix
• Scottsdale
• Mesa
• Tempe
• Chandler
• Gilbert
• Glendale
• Peoria
• Greater Maricopa County
• Other locations across Arizona, as appropriate for the case

The firm appears in Maricopa County Superior Court and in municipal and justice courts throughout the Valley.

Lists Lawton, Superior, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Maricopa, Mesa, and Peoria as a location. Names Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Maricopa, Phoenix, and Scottsdale as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

• Tamou Law Group offers a free initial consultation for individuals facing criminal or DUI charges in Arizona.
• Consultations are confidential and are available 24/7 by phone.
• During the consultation, the defense team reviews your situation, explains the charges and possible consequences, and outlines potential next steps.

To request a consultation, call 623-321-4699 (available 24/7) or use the contact form on the firm's website.

How Fees Are Determined

• Criminal defense matters are generally handled on a flat-fee basis, rather than hourly billing.
• The exact fee depends on factors such as the specific charge, the complexity of the case, and whether the matter is likely to go to trial.
• You will receive clear, upfront pricing before you decide whether to hire the firm.

The firm does not publish specific fee amounts for individual cases; exact costs are discussed directly with clients during the consultation.

Payment Options and Plans

• Tamou Law Group offers flexible, transparent fee arrangements for criminal defense cases.
• Payment plan options may be available, and the firm discusses these during the free consultation so that cost is not the sole reason someone goes without representation.
• All details about fees, payment schedules, and the scope of representation are set out in a written fee agreement if you choose to hire the firm.

For the most accurate information about fees and payment options in your situation, contact the firm directly.

Under A.R.S. § 13-1204, aggravated assault is a simple assault (A.R.S. § 13-1203) committed with an aggravating circumstance. It is always charged as a felony in Arizona.

Common aggravating factors include:

• Use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument
• Causing serious physical injury
• Assaulting a protected victim, such as a police officer, healthcare worker, or teacher
• Restraining the victim or assaulting someone who is bound or otherwise unable to resist
• Strangulation, especially in a domestic violence context
• Assaulting a child under 15 in certain circumstances

Felony Levels and Potential Penalties (General Overview)

Aggravated assault can range from a Class 6 up to a Class 2 felony, depending on the aggravating factor and the circumstances.

• With a deadly weapon or serious physical injury, aggravated assault is typically charged as a Class 3 "dangerous" felony, which carries mandatory flat-time prison (no probation and no early release) in the range of 5 to 15 years on a first offense.
• Certain aggravated assaults on peace officers with a weapon or serious injury can be charged as a Class 2 felony, with higher potential prison ranges.
• Other forms of aggravated assault, such as some strangulation or restraint cases without a deadly weapon, are often Class 4 felonies, with lower ranges and, in some situations, the possibility of probation.

The specific classification and potential sentence in any one case depend on the exact allegations, prior record, and whether the offense is designated as "dangerous."

Key Defense Themes

Tamou Law Group highlights several central defense issues in aggravated assault cases:

• Self-defense and defense of others: Justification can be a complete defense. If force was used lawfully to defend yourself or someone else, there is no crime, and the State must disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Challenging the aggravating factor: Many cases focus on whether the injury truly qualifies as "serious physical injury," whether an object is legally a "deadly weapon" or "dangerous instrument," or whether the alleged victim is in a protected category.
• Challenging the evidence and narrative: This can include questioning eyewitness identification, examining surveillance or body-worn camera footage, reviewing 911 calls, and comparing initial statements with later versions.
• Testing medical and forensic evidence: Independent medical review, use-of-force analysis, and other expert evaluations can be critical in contesting the State's version of events.

How Tamou Law Group Approaches Aggravated Assault Cases

Tamou Law Group defends aggravated assault cases across Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the rest of Maricopa County by:

• Carefully reviewing the police reports, videos, and medical records
• Identifying whether the State can actually prove the required aggravating factor
• Evaluating and asserting self-defense or defense-of-others where supported by the facts
• Working with appropriate experts (such as medical, use-of-force, or video experts) when necessary
• Negotiating aggressively to reduce or dismiss charges where weaknesses exist, while preparing cases for trial when needed

Anyone charged with aggravated assault in Arizona should speak directly with a qualified criminal defense attorney. For a free, confidential consultation about an aggravated assault case, potential clients can call Tamou Law Group at 623-321-4699.

Tamou Law Group is led by founding attorney Michael Tamou and staffed by a full team of experienced criminal defense attorneys, not junior associates. The team includes:

• Former prosecutors
• Former law enforcement officers
• Former public defenders

This mix of backgrounds gives the firm insight into how the State builds criminal cases and where those cases are vulnerable.

Key Attorneys

Michael Tamou – Founding Attorney

• Licensed in Arizona and Missouri
• Focuses exclusively on criminal defense, including DUI, drug charges, assault, theft, domestic violence, and serious felony cases
• Has handled a very high volume of criminal cases in Arizona, including years of experience at the public defender's office
• Known for meticulous case preparation and personalized defense strategies for each client

Jacie Cotterell – Trial Attorney

• Licensed in Arizona
• Over a decade of criminal defense experience in Arizona
• Has tried numerous cases to verdict, including DUI, domestic violence, serious felonies, homicide, and sex crimes
• Emphasizes protecting constitutional rights and guiding clients and families through the criminal process

Kristie Ortega – Criminal Defense Attorney

• Licensed in Arizona and certified to practice before the Ninth Circuit
• More than 16 years of criminal defense experience
• Background includes service as a Public Defender in the Gila River Indian Community and work as a Restorative Justice Facilitator
• Experienced working with clients facing substance use and mental health challenges and knowledgeable about Arizona treatment resources

Harper Pollock – Of Counsel

• Licensed in Arizona
• Background includes work at the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender handling a high-volume felony caseload
• Represents clients at all stages of Superior Court proceedings
• Focuses on negotiation and litigation that takes each client's unique circumstances into account

Jacob Gayer – Criminal Defense Attorney

• Licensed in Kansas, Colorado, and Arizona
• Professional background includes service in the U.S. Navy, work in law enforcement, and experience as a prosecutor
• Uses prosecutorial insight to analyze and challenge the State's cases from a defense perspective

Firm-Wide Experience and Focus

• 100% of the firm's work is dedicated to criminal defense and DUI matters.
• The team defends the full range of Arizona criminal charges, from misdemeanors to serious violent and white-collar felonies.
• Clients benefit from the combined experience of multiple attorneys who collaborate on strategy and case preparation.

For more detail on individual attorneys, prospective clients can review the bios on the firm's website or contact the firm directly.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.