East Valley Criminal Defense Attorney for Sex Crime Allegations
Sex Crime Defense Across Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek
A Small Arizona Law Firm With Big Results
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Sex Crime Allegations Are Different. Your Defense Has To Be Too.
Sex crime cases don’t move through the Arizona court system the way other criminal cases do. They involve specialized investigative units, digital forensics, mandatory sentencing exposure under A.R.S. § 13-705 (Dangerous Crimes Against Children), and Rape Shield rules that don’t apply to other felony cases. They also carry permanent consequences that no other category of charge produces, including lifetime sex offender registration and the kind of public stigma that follows a person long after a case ends.
A general criminal defense practice can’t reasonably keep up with all of it. We don’t try to. Our entire focus is on defending people accused of felony sex crimes in Arizona, and that focus shapes every part of how we work, from the experts we partner with to the way we engage with detectives during an investigation.
The cases we handle for East Valley clients
include the following:
- Sexual assault and rape allegations
- Child molestation and sexual conduct with a minor
- Sexual abuse and indecent exposure
- Luring of a minor and aggravated luring (A.R.S. § 13-3554, § 13-3560)
- Sex sting and undercover operation cases
- Sex trafficking of a minor (A.R.S. § 13-3212)
- Sexual exploitation of a minor and CSAM allegations (A.R.S. § 13-3553)
- Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC) charges (A.R.S. § 13-705)
- False allegations made during divorce, custody, or workplace disputes
- Pre-charge and pre-indictment investigations
If your situation isn’t on this list and you’re not sure where it fits, call us at (480) 553-9699. We’ll tell you whether we’re the right firm and, if we aren’t, point you toward someone who is.
What To Do If East Valley Police Contact You About a Sex Crime
The detective who calls you has not just opened the file. By the time your phone rings, the investigation has typically been moving for days, weeks, or months. The accuser has been interviewed. A theory has been built. The reason the detective is reaching out now is that your statement is the piece they think they need to move the case forward. So here’s the short version of what to do:
Don’t talk. Don’t agree to come in. Don’t try to “clear it up.”
Politely say: “I’m exercising my right to remain silent and my right to counsel. Please contact my attorney.” Then end the call and contact us.
You’re protected by the Fifth Amendment, the Sixth Amendment, and Article 2, Section 24 of the Arizona Constitution.
Exercising those protections is not evidence of guilt. It cannot be used against you in court. What can be used against you is anything you say to a detective who’s already convinced you did it, and they almost always are by the time they reach the contact stage.
If you’d like to read more before you call us, our blog post on what happens when police contact you about an Arizona sex crime walks through exactly how this stage usually plays out. The faster we step in, the more we can protect.
Why Early, Pre-Charge Defense Matters in the East Valley
There is a window between the moment law enforcement starts investigating you and the moment a prosecutor decides whether to file charges. That window is short, and it’s the most useful window in the entire process. During pre-charge defense, an experienced sex crime attorney can:
Become your point of contact, so detectives can no longer reach you directly at home or at work
Send a formal Letter of Representation to the investigating agency
Preserve text messages, emails, app data, and surveillance footage before it disappears
Identify motive issues, credibility problems, and inconsistencies in the accuser’s account
Engage digital forensics experts to evaluate what’s actually on a device versus what investigators claim is on it
Present mitigating context to the assigned prosecutor before a charging decision is made
In some cases, prevent charges from ever being filed
Once charges are filed, that window closes. The case becomes public record. Your name may appear in court databases that employers and reporters search. Pre-charge intervention is the single most underused advantage available to someone under investigation, and it’s the part of our work where we spend the most energy.
You can read more about our pre-charge and pre-indictment defense approach here.
East Valley Courts and Where
Sex Crime Cases Are Handled
Most East Valley sex crime cases are filed in Maricopa County Superior Court in downtown Phoenix. After an arrest, the Initial Appearance hearing usually takes place at the Maricopa County Intake, Transfer, and Release facility (ITR), which operates 24 hours a day. That’s where bail conditions, release terms, and no-contact orders are first set, and it’s also where having counsel present can make a meaningful difference in how you walk out of that hearing, if you walk out at all.
Cases originating in Pinal County, including parts of Queen Creek and San Tan Valley, are filed in Pinal County Superior Court in Florence. The investigative agencies we routinely work alongside in East Valley sex crime cases include:
Knowing which agency is investigating, how that agency tends to build its cases, and which prosecutor is likely to be assigned matters. It’s the difference between a defense built on general criminal procedure and a defense built on what’s actually happening in the room across town.
Testimonials From Our Clients
Regarding Our Sex Crime Legal Practice
The reviews below are from clients across Arizona, including East Valley residents, and reflect what it’s been like to work with our firm during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Click through to read the full review on Google.
Professionalism, Responsiveness
“I strongly recommend VS Criminal Defense Attorneys. Michelle Villanueva-Skura isn’t just a skilled attorney — she’s compassionate, sharp, and fiercely committed to her clients. She genuinely sees and cares about people, not just cases, and fights with purpose and heart.
Alongside her is Paralegal Vanesa Vazquez, who is incredibly professional, resourceful, and precise — a true asset to the firm. Her courage and attention to detail made a real difference in how smoothly things were handled.
If you’re looking for legal help from a team that not only knows the law but treats you with real care and respect, I highly recommend VS Criminal Defense Attorneys.
L.M. ★★★★★
Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
“Michelle is incredibly knowledgable and I would send anyone looking for an experienced criminal defense attorney to her. She does not judge her clients and takes excellent care of them.
S.S. ★★★★★
they saved my life
“Michelle and Kourtney are amazing. I couldn’t imagine how we would’ve gotten through the most stressful time in our lives without this firm. Michelle is an amazing human and she truly does want to educate others and guide them, while always remaining very upfront. Always willing to talk, just listen, provide advice and a laugh when you really need it. I would never ever want to sit on the other side across from these ladies. Thank you again.
S.C. ★★★★★
Felony Sex Crime Penalties Under Arizona Law
Arizona has some of the harshest sex crime sentencing in the country. A few basics every East Valley resident facing allegations should understand:
Sex Trafficking of a Minor
Under A.R.S. § 13-3212 and Proposition 313, a conviction can carry mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This statute can be applied in cases involving fictitious minors used in undercover operations.
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
ARS §13-1406
Under A.R.S. § 13-3553, each individual image or file can be charged as a separate count. CSAM cases sometimes arise as add-on charges after a phone or computer is forensically reviewed following an arrest on a different sex crime.
Aggravated Luring of a Minor
ARS §13-1410
A Class 2 felony under A.R.S. § 13-3560. This charge frequently arises in sex sting cases, including cases where the “minor” was an undercover detective and no real child was ever involved.
Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC)
ARS §13-1404
When the alleged victim is under fifteen, sentencing falls under A.R.S. § 13-705. DCAC carries mandatory prison ranges, and probation is generally not available for completed offenses. Even a single count can mean years of mandatory incarceration.
Lifetime Sex Offender Registration
ARS §13-1410
Most felony sex crime convictions in Arizona require registration. Registration affects where you can live, where you can work, and where you can travel for the rest of your life.
Penalties this severe call for a defense built specifically for these cases. That’s the only kind of defense we build.
What Working With Our Firm Looks Like
When you call our office, you’re not handed off to an intake script. You’ll speak with someone who can actually evaluate your situation, walk you through the next 24 to 48 hours, and tell you honestly whether we’re the right firm for what you’re facing.
If you retain us:
You’re going to have hard questions. You can ask them. We’ll give you straight answers, including the ones you might not want to hear. That’s the only way we know how to do this work.
You can read more about our team and the experts we work with here.
Frequently Asked Questions: East Valley Sex Crime Defense
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Premier Law Firm In The East Valley recognized For Its Defense Expertise In Sex Crime Cases
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Confidential Consultations for East Valley Sex Crime Cases
If a detective has contacted you, if you’ve been arrested, or if you suspect you may be under investigation for a sex crime anywhere in the East Valley, the most useful thing you can do right now is talk to an attorney whose entire practice is built around defending these cases.
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content or contacting the firm through this website. Because the laws surrounding sex crimes are complex and subject to change, you should consult with a qualified attorney regarding the specific facts of your case.
