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“Victories” Definition: DM Cantor defines a “Victory” as follows: Cases resulting in a Complete Acquittal at Jury/Bench Trial; cases Dismissed after they were set for Jury/Bench Trial; cases Dismissed prior to being set for Jury/Bench Trial; Convictions Reversed on Appeal; Convictions Set Aside; Pre-Charge/Pre-Indictment cases where DM Cantor Prevented Charges from being filed; a Partial Acquittal at Jury/Bench Trial; cases in which Charges were Substantially Reduced; Professional Board & Title 9 Representation in which charges were Declined, Dismissed or Substantially Reduced; and, cases where Prison/Jail exposure or Civil Repercussions were Substantially Reduced.
Featured in Image (left to right):
Managing Partner, Christine Whalin; Founding Partner, David Michael Cantor
Your best chance of achieving a positive outcome in a criminal case is to hire a professional, experienced criminal defense attorney. David Michael Cantor is a very well respected Criminal Defense Attorney and accomplished DUI Defense Lawyer. David Michael Cantor has also been given the title of Certified Criminal Law Specialist per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
Voted #1 by Ranking Arizona 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, & 2025!
If you have been charged with DUI or another Criminal Offense you need expert representation that knows the courts, judges, and prosecutors that are against you. In addition, our firm is AV® rated (the highest possible rating) by Martindale Hubbell®, and are listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers®, Criminal Law Section.
As of the start of 2025, the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization listed only 62 Criminal Law Specialists in the entire State. Of these 62, only 41 are located in Maricopa County and are allowed to handle private cases. DM Cantor has 2 Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists, No Law Firm in Arizona Has More! When defending Criminal Allegations, it is critical to have as many Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists on your Legal Team as is possible.
The Specialization process is so rigorous that only 34 current Criminal Law Specialists were Certified since the turn of the Century! In addition, All Specialists must be approved for Re-Certification every 5 years. At DM Cantor, our 2 Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists have conducted Jury Trials on countless Misdemeanor and Felony cases.
Our Phoenix Arizona Attorneys Specialize in Criminal Defense representation, and have practiced in the Phoenix area Criminal Justice System providing our Clients legal help for over 30 years! So, if you have been contacted by law enforcement, and were threatened with jail time, then you need legal representation from the highly-skilled Phoenix Criminal Law Attorneys at DM Cantor.
Every Misdemeanor or Felony Criminal case defended by DM Cantor includes at least 1 Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist on our Legal Team who is directly handling or supervising the Defense.
We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Attention Athletes, Sports Agents, and Athletic Organizations: DM Cantor and Cantor Law Group have represented past and present professional and amateur athletes, coaches, referees, and/or their family members from the following teams and organizations:
MLB:
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CFL:
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NCAA:
USA Olympic Team Members:
Canadian Olympic Team Members:
PGA Members
Indy Car Series Driver
NASCAR Series Driver
What are the factors to look for when you are deciding who the Best Criminal Defense Law Firm is in Phoenix, Arizona? Start by looking at the Defense Team’s overall experience, and who is the person that leads them. In the case of DM Cantor, the Firm was founded by David Michael Cantor, a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist since 1999. David began his career at the Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office as a Trial Attorney. While there, he amassed a record of 30 Jury Trial convictions with 0 losses. He then left and worked for a private Criminal Defense Firm for approximately 3-1/2 years, where he conducted almost 80 Criminal Defense Jury Trials. It was at that time that he formed his own Law Firm Specializing in Criminal Defense, and he assembled the Arizona Criminal Defense Team of DM Cantor. This Team knows both the DUI and Criminal laws inside and out, and whether you are fighting the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the Arizona State Attorney General’s Office, or any of the City Prosecutor’s Offices, this is the Team you want on your side.
DM Cantor has been servicing the State of Arizona for over 25 Years. Read below of what many of our Clients have been saying and see why we have been ranked Best Phoenix Law Firm year after year. Our success stories (victories) range from a wide variety of areas such as DUI / Vehicular Crimes, Drug Crimes, Sex Crimes, Fraud / Theft Crimes, Assault Crimes, Violent Crimes and more.
Whether the charges you are facing are for theft, DUI, assault or other allegations, finding the Best Criminal Lawyer in Arizona for your defense can mean the difference between the Best possible outcome for your situation or finding yourself fighting the system for far longer than you deserve. Now is not the time for mediocrity. You need the Best Criminal Lawyer in Arizona. You will find this experienced, aggressive and highly respected representation at the DM Cantor.
Arizona Criminal Attorney and Phoenix DUI Lawyer David Michael Cantor has been a practicing lawyer since 1989. He has handled thousands of cases, including high profile ones covered by local and national media. His expert insight has been spotlighted in features on Good Morning America, CNN, Inside Edition, Anderson Cooper Live, the CBS Morning Show, Hannity and Colmes, and all local Arizona news channels, including Univision. David Michael Cantor is widely considered the Best Criminal Attorney in Arizona.
All of the criminal lawyers of DM Cantor have outstanding reputations of integrity and respect as aggressive criminal and DUI lawyers in Arizona. Through this integrity, honesty, professionalism and a highly aggressive spirit, DM Cantor provides the Best Criminal Defense in Arizona, for the most optimum outcome in your case.
Our team of criminal defense lawyers has over 6,000 criminal case victories, including 167 Complete Jury Trial Acquittals – with “Not Guilty” verdicts on All Charges. The DM Cantor Defense Team features 2 Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. No Law Firm in Arizona Has More!
Selecting the best criminal attorney is never easy. So many say they are “the Best.” But few present the credentials, experience, reputation, integrity and respect of DM Cantor.
David Michael Cantor has been recognized by many organizations and publications as the best criminal lawyer in Arizona. Some of that recognition includes:
David Michael Cantor and DM Cantor have successfully represented a multitude of celebrities and defendants in high profile attorney cases. Some of those include:
After you have determined the Criminal Defense Team’s experience, you next look to their Results and Certifications. In addition to David Michael Cantor’s Board-Certification as a Criminal Law Specialist, his partner (Christine Whalin) is also a Certified Criminal Law Specialist. No law firm in Arizona has more! In addition, DM Cantor also has the most Complete Jury Trial Acquittals of any firm in Arizona history. Check out the link below to see questions to ask when interviewing a Criminal Defense Attorney or Law Firm.
Beware of Criminal Defense “Pretenders”: Any law firm or Attorney can have DM Cantor’s Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney 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 Criminal Charges, 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.
Being convicted of an offense in a Criminal Court can have Life-Long Consequences on a Defendant, which can occur long after Incarceration is over (such as while on Probation, or even after being fully released from all requirements). Depending on the type of Conviction, some of these Collateral Consequences can include Sex Offender Terms while on Probation, computer restrictions, and potentially having to Register as a Sex Offender.
Other Consequences of certain types of Misdemeanors, such as Domestic Violence Criminal Damage and certain Felony Convictions can include the Revocation of Professional Licenses; restrictions on what type of job you may be able to get; being banned from living in dormitories, or certain apartments; having to notify employers if you are required to Register as a Sex Offender; and a litany of other highly-restrictive and embarrassing factors. Check out the link below for a full list of Collateral Consequences to various Criminal Convictions.
“Mitigation” is a term that refers to anything that can potentially Prevent Charges from Being Filed, Reduce the Charges that are filed, or Reduce the amount of Punishment that is imposed on any charge that is ultimately upheld. When representing a person for Criminal Allegations, we immediately begin the Mitigation Process in order to convince the Detectives to shut down the Investigation. We will also use this to convince the Prosecutor to Decline Filing Charges, or to greatly Reduce Charges. The Prosecutor will look at both Statutory and Non-Statutory Mitigating Factors when making their decisions. The Criminal Defense Team at DM Cantor knows these factors inside and out, and we know how to put together a compelling “Mitigation Package.”
Depending on the case type, the items we will use in these Mitigation Packages could include an Accident Reconstruction Report; Blood Alcohol or Drug retesting; DNA Analysis; Independent Autopsy Reports; Computer Forensic Analysis; Polygraph Examinations; Psycho-Sexual Risk Evaluations; and Private Investigator/Attorney Investigation into the facts Alleged by an Accuser.
We also include a complete History of the Defendant’s background, which could include Medical Records, rehabilitation/substance abuse Counseling Records, any Individual Educational Plan (IEPs) that may have been in place during a Defendant’s lifetime; and lastly, we will include a “Proportionality Review,” which includes similarly situated cases and how they were either “Turned Down” for prosecution, or greatly Reduced. Whether you have been charged with Misdemeanor DUI, Domestic Violence, Criminal Damage, etc., or if you are facing more serious Felony charges, then you will need a Top-Rated Phoenix Criminal Attorney to defend you. Call DM Cantor and speak with a highly-skilled Phoenix Criminal Lawyer today! Check out the link below to see a full list of Statutory and Non-Statutory Mitigating Factors.
When you hire DM Cantor to represent you to Defend Allegations of Criminal Conduct, or Actual Charges for a crime, we always keep our “Core Purpose” in mind when we represent you: “We are here to help people navigate through the toughest times of their lives.” When we perform our duties as a Criminal Defense Law Firm, we always keep these three principles in mind: (1) do Hard Work, (2) have excellent Trial Skills, and (3) – perhaps the most important of the three – have High Touch Client Service.
When we represent people in the Pre-Indictment/Pre-Charge Investigation Stage of their case, we will immediately bring them in to do a detailed Timeline and Biographical Interview regarding their life, and what allegedly occurred in the incident. All of the meetings will occur in the privacy of our office, and they will be conducted by the DM Cantor Pre-Charge Team. This Team can conduct most of the Investigation work, but sometimes we will use Private Investigators to assist us. We also will look into using a Polygraph Examination, and also potentially Forensic Experts who can analyze any computer devices and phones which may be helpful to the investigation.
If a person is currently charged with a Felony, then we will still begin with a Complete Timeline Interview and Biographical Information Interview. We will then begin putting together a Mitigation Package at the same time as we begin to Defend the case. Any and all Court dates, you will need to be with us at the charged County Superior Courts, or Federal Court, unless we have obtained permission from the Judge to allow you to travel or remain out-of-State/County.
If the Judge does approve our “Motion to Modify Conditions of Release,” then you would be required to sign an Affidavit after each and every Court date avowing that you know of the next Court date and that you will stay in contact with your DM Cantor Defense Team.
Beware: Always seek out a different Law Firm if the one you have chosen assigns Serious Felony Crime cases to a single Legal Associate who may have never conducted a Jury Trial regarding the Criminal Offense Charge they are defending. If you truly want to win your case, then it is absolutely necessary to have at least one Certified Criminal Law Specialist amongst a team of Criminal Defense Attorneys who are assigned to specifically handle your Felony Charges.
DM Cantor always assigns all partner and Certified Criminal Law Specialists to each and every Pre-Indictment Criminal case that we handle. In addition, DM Cantor always has a Minimum of one Partner and Certified Criminal Law Specialist co-assigned on every, single Charged Major Felony or Sex Crimes Case.
In the link below, you will find information regarding a DUI or Vehicular Crimes Case, a Misdemeanor or Felony Criminal Charge and its Case Progression. This should answer 99% of your questions.
What if I live in another state and I am being accused or charged in Arizona?
If you have been Charged or Indicted for a Felony in any Arizona County Superior Court, then you will be Required to appear at any and all Court Dates. However, we can file a Motion to Modify Conditions of Release after the first one or two Court dates, which will allow you to remain out-of-state, as long as we are Appearing on your behalf. We can then show up to all Pre-Trial Conferences, as long as you sign an Affidavit you are aware of the next Court Date and that you will keep in touch with us.
If you have only been Accused in Arizona, and Not Charged, then you, and are in the Pre-Indictment/Precharge Investigation Stage of your case, and we can conduct all meetings via Zoom or by way of telephone. We will have you create a New Email Account that has the word “Legal” in it, in order to have it secured by way of the Attorney/Client Privilege. Lastly, if we need any Polygraph Examinations, Neuropsychological Evaluations, or anything of that nature, those can be conducted in your home State.
If I am charged, do I have to wear an Ankle Monitor?
Per ARS 13-3967(E)(1), the Judge is Required on certain Felony Charges to impose an Electronic Monitoring Device “where available.” However, we have seen situations where many Judges will not impose this restriction. In addition, if your charge is in an Outlying County (in other words not Maricopa County), then many times they do not have Electronic Monitoring available, and they will not impose this condition. The DM Cantor Felony Criminal Defense Team has been highly successful at having this requirement “Lifted” in various circumstances.
If I am charged, can I be around my Kids or Grandkids who are under 18?
If you have been Accused of Sexual Assault of an Adult (not a minor), then normally restrictions of being around your own Children or Grandchildren, or anyone under 18, will not be imposed. However, if you are charged with a Sexual Crime against a Minor, then these conditions will be imposed, forbidding you to have contact with anyone under the age of 18. We have been very successful in filing Motions to Modify Conditions of Release to allow Defendants to have contact with their own Children or Grandchildren who are under 18 years of age while their case is pending.
If I get charged and you get the Charge Dismissed, can I Seal the Arrest/Court Record?
Most Felony Records can be Sealed, however pursuant to status ARS 13-900, et seq., a person cannot “Set Aside a Judgment of Guilt” (i.e., what qualifies as an “Expungement” in Arizona), if their conviction involves a “Sexual Motivation.” In addition, most Sex Crime convictions cannot have their Record “Sealed” under Arizona law. However, if the charge is Reduced down to an Offense which does not require a finding of Sexual Motivation, and the person is not required to Register as a Sex Offender, then it is possible to get that conviction “Sealed” after five (5) years from the successful Conclusion of Probation.
Does any other Law Firm in Arizona have more Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists, or Complete Acquittals at Jury Trial wins, than DM Cantor?
DM Cantor has 2 Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists, No Law Firm in Arizona Has More! We also have the Most “Complete Jury Trial Acquittals, and the Most Dismissal/Reductions for all Criminal Case Types in the State of Arizona. If you read our “Victories” section on our website, you will see we list all of these DUI and criminal case results.
If you have a feeling that you are being Accused of a Crime (especially if this occurs during a phone call with the Accuser), Hang Up Immediately. A common tactic utilized by Detectives in Arizona involves the “Confrontation Call.” This is where the Alleged Victim “Confronts” the Accused, and attempts to get them to make Admissions over the phone. The first Admission they will seek is that there was, indeed, an “incident.” They will next attempt to get the Accused to “apologize for what they did.”
Unfortunately, many people will apologize and say they are sorry that the other person “feels that way,” but the Detectives can take this as an Admission of Guilt. Also, it is Best Practices to immediately set your Social Media to “Private Settings.” We would also advise that you “De-Friend and Unfollow” your Accuser and his or her friends.
In addition, do not speak with your friends or family (or your spouse – if applicable) about these Allegations until you’ve had a chance to speak with us in the privacy of our office.
Remember, 95% of all evidence comes out of a person’s mouth when they make Statements that can be Incriminating (whether intentional, or the result of being misunderstood).
Beware: Avoid a Criminal Defense Firm that does not have a single Board Certified Specialist on their staff. Also watch out if they have an “Of Counsel” Attorney (i.e., a Attorney who has their own Law Firm, but “contracts themselves out” to other Firms for work), and then that Law Firm places the “Of-Counsel Attorney” on their staff for the mere purpose of using that Attorney’s name and Specialization only to attract potential clients.
Lastly, call DM Cantor immediately! We will not talk about specific facts over the phone line, but we will get some general information and get you in to meet with us in-person as soon as possible. Our meeting will be in the privacy of our office, and you will meet with a minimum of one Partner/Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist during your Free Consultation.
The Defense Team of DM Cantor takes great pride in maintaining extensive knowledge in all areas of forensic science to maintain their position as the best criminal lawyer in Arizona, including:
The Cantor Criminal Defense Team‘s law library is one of the most extensive and rich with research materials in Arizona, including investigation manuals of the:
When searching for the Best Attorney in Arizona for your Criminal Defense needs, you need someone that is able to stand up against tough allegations and return the Best Possible Outcome for your individual case.
You need a Phoenix criminal lawyer who:
For all of these needs, you can only trust the Best Criminal Attorney in Arizona, David Michael Cantor and his team of criminal defense lawyers of DM Cantor.
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Board Certified in Criminal Law *
State Bar of Arizona
10.0 Superb Rating
Avvo Criminal Defense
AV-Highest Rated Preeminent Lawyers
Martindale-Hubbell
Member
National College for DUI Defense
Top 10 DUI/DWI Law Firm
American Institute of
DUI / DWI Attorneys
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
(Criminal Defense)
American Trial Lawyers Association
Top 100 Lawyer
American Society
of Legal Advocates
Lifetime Member
Best Attorneys of America
Member
American Bar Foundation
Charter Member
Trial Masters
Member
America’s Top 100
Criminal Defense Attorneys
Life Member
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
2019 Litigator of the Year
(Criminal Law)
American Institute of Trial Lawyers
Top Lawyer 2023
Phoenix Magazine