Criminal Defense Attorney for Assault, Homicide, and Violent Crimes

By DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice, a Top-Ranking Criminal Defense firm in Arizona for the last 7 years in a row by Ranking Arizona Magazine (2020 – 2026), and named the Small and Mid-Sized Law Firm of the Year at AZ Business’ 2026 Excellence in Law Awards!

DM Cantor’s Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists (Left to Right): Partner / Director of Attorney Development, Jason Karpel; Founding Partner, David Michael Cantor; Managing Partner, Christine Whalin

Over 170 Complete Criminal Jury Trial Acquittals (i.e., Not Guilty on All Charges). The most in Arizona history by a single law firm!

Plus an additional 1,000+ Assault/Violent Crimes Pre-Indictment “Turn-Downs,” Dismissals, and Charge Reduction Assault/Violent Crime Victories!

Beware of Assault/Violent Crimes Defense “Pretenders”: Any law firm or Attorney can have DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice Phoenix Assault/Violent Crimes Attorney and Assault/Violent Crimes Lawyer website information re-written by artificial intelligence (AI), and then they can post it online as their own “knowledge base.” But they cannot falsely list our Jury Trial Complete Acquittals, or Board Certifications as their own. Also, many Attorneys claim that they “Specialize” in defending Assault/Violent Crimes charges or Criminal Defense, but only a “Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist” is allowed by the State Bar of Arizona to use this title as their own, per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.

Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialization

As of the start of 2026, the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization listed only 49 Criminal Law Specialists in the entire state. Of these 49, only 36 are physically located in Maricopa County and are allowed to handle private cases. DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice has 3 Criminal Law Specialists, the most of any Law Firm in Arizona. When defending Violent Crime allegations, it is critical to have as many Specialists on your legal team as is possible.

The specialization process is so rigorous that only 28 current Criminal Law Specialists were certified in the last 25 years. In addition, all specialists must be approved for re-certification every 5 years. At DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice, our Specialists have conducted Jury Trials on countless Violent Crime cases.

Every Major Felony Criminal Crimes case defended by DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice includes at least 1 of our three (3) Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist on the legal team who is directly handling or supervising the case’s progress.

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Choose the best topic below to learn more about serious charges of Assault, Homicide and Violent Crimes in Arizona.

The Best Phoenix Assault/Violent Crimes Law Team in Arizona

How do you know who has the best Assault/Violent Crimes Legal Defense Firm in Arizona? You begin by looking at the team’s experience. David Michael Cantor is a former Prosecutor, and a highly experienced Assault/Violent Crimes in Arizona Attorney who became a member of the Arizona State Bar in 1989. David then began his Arizona legal practice as an Assistant City Prosecutor for the City of Phoenix. Considered as one of the Top Assault/Violent Crimes Defense Lawyers in Arizona, he then founded his own Criminal Defense firm and Arizona Assault/Violent Crimes Defense Team, DM Cantor Criminal Law Practice.

David is a highly-skilled Assault/Violent CrimesDefense Lawyer who knows the Assault/Violent Crimes laws backward and forward, and he will vigorously fight the Arizona State Attorney General or County Prosecutor on your behalf. Phoenix Assault/Violent Crimes Lawyer, and Criminal Defense Attorney David Cantor, wrote this webpage in order to give you an Arizona Assault/Violent Crimes overview as to how DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice Phoenix Assault/Violent Crimes Attorney Defense Team can prove your Innocence if you have been Falsely Accused of Assault/Violent Crimes. So whether you have a single Assault/Violent Crimes charge, or multiple charges, contact DM Cantor Criminal Law Practice today!

In addition to Phoenix area experience, you next look to the Assault/Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer’s Results and Certifications. In addition to David Cantor being a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist, his partner (Christine Whalin) is also a Certified Criminal Law Specialists as well. No other Arizona Criminal Defense Firm has as many Complete Jury Trial Acquittals as DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice. Click on the link below to see Questions to Ask when Interviewing a Assault/Violent Crimes Attorney to represent you in your Court case.

Beware: Be very cautious of visiting with a Criminal Law Firm who has you meet with a Non-Attorney Salesperson, rather than a Licensed Attorney. They will then try to sell their “legal services,” even though they are not allowed by the State Bar of Arizona to give legal advice. DM Cantor always has you meet with one of the Partners and Certified Criminal Law Specialists in our office when consulting us regarding a serious Assault/Violent Crimes charge.

Our attorneys are highly versed in all areas of criminal law. Many current and former members of DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice are former prosecutors, including the following jurisdictions: the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office; the Arizona Attorney General’s Office; the Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office; and the Mesa City Prosecutor’s Office. Almost a century’s worth of combined jury trial experience! The Team handles trials, appeals, post-conviction relief petitions and forfeitures. We practice in all City, Justice, State and Federal courts – Statewide!

The DM Cantor Criminal Law Practice Team of Assault Lawyers in Arizona takes pride in being knowledgeable in all areas of forensic sciences. This includes DNA technology; Latent Fingerprint technology; Ballistics; Drug Recognition technology; Serology and Bodily Fluids testing; Blood, Breath and Urine Alcohol testing methods; Gas Chromatography and Infra-Red Mass-Spectrometry. In addition, we have an extensive law library with research materials regarding FBI, Department of Public Safety, State and Local Police investigation manuals.

David Michael Cantor is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. Plus the Firm is AV® rated (the highest possible rating) by Martindale Hubbell®, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers®, Criminal Law Section.

WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN KNOWING MORE THAN THE PROSECUTION AND POLICE OFFICERS!

If there is any defense to a criminal allegation (either factual or technical), the DM Cantor Criminal Law Practice Team of Assault Lawyers in Arizona will find it and utilize it to your benefit. Our attorneys, along with the numerous expert witnesses at their disposal, can give you your best chance at a complete acquittal or reduction of the charges.

The experienced violent crime defense of Assault Lawyers in Arizona at DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice handle Assault and Homicide defense cases in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, Goodyear, Chandler, Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Buckeye, Avondale, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, El Mirage and all courts in the Phoenix metro area and throughout the State of Arizona.

Top Unlawful Flight from Police Lawyer

We are an AV® rated law firm (the highest possible rating by Martindale Hubbell®). Also David Michael Cantor is a Assault/Violent lawyer in Arizona, and a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. In addition, the Firm and all of its lawyers are listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers®. At DM Cantor’s Criminal Law Practice, many of our Attorneys are ex-Prosecutors, and all of our Assault/Violent Lawyers in Arizona know the system well.

The Collateral Consequences Of An Assault/Violent Conviction

The effects of a Assault/Violent Crimes conviction can be devastating. Even if a person is to receive Probation with no Jail, or a small Jail or Prison sentence, after they are released there will be lifelong effects on the Defendant. This can involve Lifetime Probation; job restrictions; apartment/dormitory restrictions or prohibitions; Professional Licenses being Revoked; loss or severe restriction of internet privileges; etc. Check the link below for information regarding what Collateral Consequences you or a loved one might be facing.

Mitigation

When it comes to “Mitigation” regarding a charge of Assault/Violent Crimes, it is important to start that process right away. Not only can this help us with potentially convincing a Prosecutor to not file charges in the first place, but it may reduce the level of charges that they ultimately file. In addition, if there is a conviction later, this can be used to help reduce any type of Sentence if there is a “Range.” The Mitigating Factors which are considered by both the Prosecutor and the Courts includes Statutory and Non-Statutory elements.

Many items that we routinely include in our Mitigation Packages include Psychosexual Risk Evaluations; Polygraphs; Neuro-Psychological Evaluations; Counseling records; substance abuse Treatment and/or Rehabilitation; and a complete history of a person’s background. This can include Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), medical records, Counseling records, etc. Lastly. we often include what’s known as a “Proportionality Review/Sentencing Disparity” analysis in which we can show the Prosecutor and Court that similarly-situated Defendants received low Sentences. Click the link below to see a more detailed list of both Statutory and Non-Statutory Mitigating Factors.

Work with a DM Cantor Criminal Law Practice Phoenix Assault/Violent Crimes Lawyer Today For a Free Consultation

For a free consultation and free case evaluation with one of our Phoenix Assault/Violent Lawyers and Criminal Defense Lawyers, call our 24 hour Phoenix Assault/Violent Crimes Lawyers Hotline at 602-307-0808 , or click here for a free consultation on any criminal cases. Our aggressive Assault/Violent Lawyers always offer free consultations for an initial visit with our Phoenix Assault/Violent Crimes Attorneys. We are often considered to be the “best Assault/Violent Crimes Lawyer”.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 391 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   matt harrell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jason Karpel at DM assigned his team of David Campbell and Leah Dodd, which did an amazing job, being very attentive and making themselves available anytime we needed a conversation. This team worked out everything I needed and highly recommend this firm for anything !!! Thank you DM Cantor Team !
  
 
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   Paul Zellner 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great lawyers!!!
  
 
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   Seb 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The legal team at DM Cantor is absolutely phenomenal. They helped me win my case and made me feel at home throughout the whole process. I am extremely grateful I chose DM Cantor for legal help, and I cannot recommend them enough!
  
 
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   Adam Flood 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic office, clean, and amazing artwork. Plus final boss sour!
  
 
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   Kevin McDermott 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I worked with Nick Boca and Robyn McCraw. I felt I was in the best of hands from the beginning. They were clear and upfront at all times with their communication and instruction. Any divorce is a difficult time, and Nick and Robyn understand that. Their compassion for my situation and professionalism in how they handled my case stood out the most. I would highly recommend their services to anyone going through a difficult divorce. KM
  
 
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   Peggy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cantor Law Group came as a recommendation from a family friend, and I am so grateful that this led me to speak with Nicholas Boca. Nik represented me in a complicated divorce which detailed a substantial claim of waste that spanned my 25-year marriage. He was very straightforward and honest and worked purposefully on my behalf at all times. He was empathetic to my situation and found ways to navigate difficult challenges unique to my case. Perhaps most importantly, he understood the importance of bringing closure to my situation and did his best to avoid unnecessary legal expenses. His methods to find resolution required wisdom and experienced practice of law. My heartfelt gratitude also extends to Robyn and Amanda. This was a team effort. Amanda’s knowledge of law, Robyn’s organizational skills and instinctive nature were invaluable. My “team” at Cantor Law Group cared. My case mattered, I mattered, my family mattered.  From the front desk to the billing department, everyone handled my inquiries and needs without delay. Each person I interacted with seemed to know me personally and I felt reassured they were all working together to achieve the best possible outcome. Cantor Law Group has an excellent reputation amongst the experts. It was extremely reassuring knowing that the work ethic and professionalism of Cantor Law Group is respected by both the experts and the court. I would HIGHLY recommend Cantor Law group.
  
 
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   Ayoub Abouri 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Met with Jason for a consultation. He was very honest and upfront. I appreciate the advice and information. I’m very happy I came in and even though I did not hire them I highly recommend them.
  
 
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   Mike LaForest 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. All the attorneys are exceptional and they all work collaboratively on your case. While I worked closely with David, the other attorney's where always up to date and provided unparalleled guidance. Bottom line, they are a cut above and they deliver. You get what you pay for. If it matters, talk to DM Cantor.