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Arizona's #1 Criminal Defense Firm — Seven Consecutive Years. 200+ Years of Combined Experience.
  • Voted #1 by Ranking Arizona
    Voted #1 by Ranking Arizona
    #1 Criminal Defense Firm · 7 Consecutive Years
  • AV Preeminent®
    AV Preeminent®

    J. Blake Mayes · Highest peer rating · Since 2009

  • Former Prosecutors
    Former Prosecutors

    MCAO · DEA · Secret Service · U.S. Air Force

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
    Top 100 Trial Lawyers
    Both founding partners · Invite only
  • Super Lawyers
    Super Lawyers
    J. Blake Mayes · 2026 + Rising Stars 2015–18
  • Lead Counsel Verified
    Lead Counsel Verified
    J. Blake Mayes
  • America's Top 100®
    America's Top 100®

    J. Blake Mayes · Fewer than 0.5% of U.S. attorneys

  • Nation's Premier Top 10
    Nation's Premier Top 10
    J. Blake Mayes · NAOPIA 2026

Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorneys

Voted #1 By Ranking Arizona. Former Prosecutors. Proven Results.

A criminal charge can upend your life in hours. The attorney you choose in the days that follow determines what happens next. At MayesTelles PLLC, our Phoenix criminal defense attorneys include founding partner David V. Telles — a former Maricopa County Attorney’s Office sex crimes prosecutor, former DEA Narcotics Task Force member, and U.S. Air Force veteran — and founding partner J. Blake Mayes, who clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Earl H. Carroll before building a defense practice spanning more than a thousand criminal cases across Phoenix, Maricopa County, and Arizona.

We defend individuals accused of serious felonies and misdemeanors throughout Arizona, including sex crimes, drug crimes, DUI, domestic violence, violent crimes, white collar offenses, and federal charges. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because we know that arrests happen on law enforcement’s schedule, not yours.

Call our Phoenix criminal defense lawyers at (602) 428-7104 for a free, confidential consultation. Available 24/7.

Former Prosecutors Fighting on Your Side

Most Phoenix criminal defense firms say they have "former prosecutor experience." At MayesTelles PLLC, that experience is specific, documented, and directly relevant to the cases we defend. Our team of former prosecutors includes:

David V. Telles — Former MCAO Sex Crimes Unit Prosecutor

Before co-founding MayesTelles PLLC, Telles prosecuted sex crimes cases at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and served as a prosecutor at the Pima and Cochise County Attorney’s Offices. His law enforcement background includes the DEA Narcotics Interdiction Task Force, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Air Force Anti-Terrorist Unit. He clerked for U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernardo P. Velasco in the District of Arizona before entering prosecution.

James Simpson — Former Prosecutor, Multiple State and County Agencies

Attorney Simpson served as a prosecutor across several state and county agencies before joining MayesTelles PLLC. He applies prosecution-side knowledge to identify weaknesses in the State’s case that less experienced defense attorneys overlook. A client facing a decade-plus prison sentence was resolved to probation under his representation.

Mark Mendoza & Melanie Laboy — Former Prosecutors

Each brings prosecution-side experience to the criminal defense team at MayesTelles, including familiarity with Maricopa County courts, prosecutors, and judges developed from years working inside the system.

Former prosecutors know how charging decisions are made, which evidence a jury actually weighs, and when to fight versus when to negotiate. That judgment — built from years on the other side — is the most concrete advantage a criminal defense attorney can offer.

 

We've Won Thousands of Cases

From complete case dismissals in Dangerous Crimes Against Children matters to DUI charges dropped to reckless driving — here is a sample of what our attorneys have achieved for clients across Phoenix and Arizona.

  • Charges Reduced to Reckless Driving

    Client R.C. was stopped by Mesa Police for a civil traffic violation and later charged with DUI, Extreme DUI, and Super Extreme DUI in a justice court. During the course of their representation, MayesTelles attorneys discovered important inconsistencies in the police reports. When we presented these issues to the State, the prosecutor’s office agreed to drop all DUI charges.

  • Fatal Commercial Vehicle Accident

    MayesTelles Client A.F. and her husband tragically lost their unborn child as a result of the negligence of an individual operating a commercial vehicle in Yuma, Arizona. After substantial investigation including accident reconstruction and filing a lawsuit, the insurance company paid out the policy limits of $1,000,000.00.

  • 4 Counts of Aggravated DUI Dismissed

    Client M.W. was charged with 4 counts of Aggravated DUI in the Maricopa County Superior Court in July 2016 for allegedly riding a motorized bicycle under the influence. The attorneys at MayesTelles demanded that the State include certain materials in their presentation to the grand jury, resulting in the grand jury refusing to indict and the case being dismissed.

  • Client Charged with DUI

    Client, GS, charged with DUI - sentence was reduced to reckless driving.

  • Client Facing Assault Felony

    M.L. was charged with 1 count of Aggravated Assault, a class 3 dangerous felony. She plead guilty to Aggravated Assault, a class 6 undesignated felony, with a stipulation to 3 months of initial jail. She received credit for 32 days and the rest of the jail time was deferred. She was placed on 3 years of supervised probation. She has the opportunity to designate the offense a misdemeanor after successfully completing probation. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with DUI

    Our client, A.R, was charged with 1 count of DUI and 1 count of Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision. During extensive pre-trial investigation, it was discovered that the police made many errors in how they handled the case. We were able to get the client's charges reduced to reckless driving. Location: Glendale City Court

  • Client Charged with Four Felony Counts

    Our client, Ms. D., was charged with two counts of forgery - a class 4 Felony as well as theft - a class 2 Felony and also fraudulent schemes and artifices - a class 2 Felony. We were able to get her conviction reduced to a class 6 undesignated felony with the opportunity to reduce further to a misdemeanor. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with Trespass & Assault

    Our client, T.C., was charged in Maricopa County Superior Court on July 8, 2015 with 1 count of Criminal Trespass, a class 6 felony, and 1 count Assault, a class 2 Misdemeanor. On September 9, 2015, after an 8-day jury trial, our client was found not guilty on both charges. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with Shoplifting

    Our client, Ms. H., was charged with shoplifting - a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get her conviction set aside. Location: Phoenix Municipal Court

  • Client Faced 5 Felony Sex Offenses

    Our client, Mr. C., was charged with five counts of felony sex offenses, including two counts of Sex Conduct with a Minor and three counts of Molestation of a Child. We were able to get the case dismissed upon a successful Motion to Dismiss. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with Disorderly Conduct

    Our client, K.F., was charged with Disorderly Conduct, a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get this client's case dismissed. Location: Tempe Municipal Court

  • Client Facing Multiple Criminal Charges

    Our client, L.S., was charged on October 20, 2014 in Mesa for an assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage. MayesTelles PLLC was able to get those charges dismissed.

  • Client Facing Multiple Domestic Violence Offenses

    Our client, Ms. C., was facing charges of assault / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), disorderly conduct / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), and criminal damage / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor). We were able to get our client's case dismissed. Location: Mesa Municipal Court

  • Charged with Assault & Failure to Appear

    Our client, L.S., was charged in Phoenix on December 27, 2014 for assault and failure to appear. After completing diversion, our client's case was dismissed.

  • Multiple Felony Theft Offenses

    Our client, Mr. C., was charged with Theft of Means of Transportation (Class 3 Felony) and Trafficking in Stolen Property (Class 3 Felony). Both class 3 felonies have a possible sentencing range of 2 - 8.75 years in prison. We were able to get our client's charge reduced to a Class 1 Misdemeanor with no jail time. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

Why Choose MayesTelles PLLC?

Our founding partners bring something most Phoenix firms cannot match: prosecution-side experience from inside Maricopa County's most serious cases.

  • 200+ Years of Combined Experience
    Experience spanning criminal defense, personal injury & immigration
  • 1,000+ Cases · Acquittals & Case Dismissals

    Felonies, misdemeanors, sex crimes, DUI, drug charges & more

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers — both founding partners

    The National Trial Lawyers · Invite only · Mayes & Telles

  • Available 24/7 — including weekends & holidays

    We pick up. Pre-charge intervention available from the first call.

  • Former Prosecutors & Law Enforcement

    MCAO Sex Crimes Unit · DEA · Secret Service · U.S. Air Force

  • AV Preeminent® · J. Blake Mayes

    Martindale-Hubbell® highest peer rating · Since 2009

Why Experience Changes Everything

At MayesTelles, we know that most people facing a legal matter have never been in this situation before. They're frightened, they don't know the system, and they need attorneys who do — whether the case is criminal, a personal injury claim, or an immigration matter. Hear from founding partners J. Blake Mayes and David V. Telles on how MayesTelles approaches criminal defense — and why former prosecution experience changes outcomes.

Contact Us

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The Benefits of a Former Prosecutor on Your Side

When a former prosecutor reviews your case, they are not guessing how the other side thinks — they know. David V. Telles, Mark Mendoza, Melanie Laboy, and James Simpson each spent years inside the system that now prosecutes the cases they defend. That firsthand knowledge of Maricopa County courts, prosecutors, and judges is the advantage you get when you hire MayesTelles.

"Deciding to work with David Telles was one of the best decisions of my life. He made sure to be extremely thorough before making any decisions and was dedicated to helping me from the beginning." — Scott W., MayesTelles PLLC Client

Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ

If you have recently been arrested, are under investigation, or have been accused of any criminal offense in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, contact MayesTelles PLLC immediately. The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options are available — including pre-charge intervention before any arrest occurs. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer flexible payment plans and a free, confidential case evaluation.

We serve clients in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Glendale, Chandler, Prescott, and throughout Maricopa County and Arizona.

(602) 428-7104  |  Free Consultation  |  Available 24/7  |  100% Confidential  |  Flexible Payment Plans

    "I would recommend them 1,000%"
    The entire staff was so kind and nobody treated me any different because of my past! There are no words I can give you to thank you for what your company has done for me!! Thank you so much!
    - K.H.
    "Only Pick MayesTelles"
    I sure hope to never get in trouble again but when I did I put my money and trust in MayesTelles. Not only do they listen, they CARE! As if it was them in my shoes! They don't judge you or make you feel uncomfortable and you can sit back and relax.
    - L. M.
    "Put My Mind at Ease"
    I never thought I would be someone needing a criminal lawyer. Choosing Mayes Telles was a great choice which has put my mind at ease. Melanie Laboy has been super responsive to my case and kept me informed during this entire process.
    - E.W.
    "The Best Lawyer in My Experience"
    David Telles is the best lawyer in my experience. It was a pretty big case, but he handled very professionally. My case was dismissed, I was very happy with the result and I am really thanks to David Telles.
    - Hanna
    "Best Firm To Have Been Around"
    MayesTelles has brought me out of an almost terrible situation. As a man who was looking at 30 plus years and barely beginning life at 18, I am thankful for these miracle workers. I was assigned two of the best lawyers I have ever met.
    - Brandon
    "Excellent Attorney"
    Blake Mayes is an excellent attorney. Needing an attorney's services is a scary prospect in itself but I could not have asked for a better person to be working with. Blake made the entire process painless and comfortable.
    - Former Client
    "Contacted Me Within 24 Hours"
    When I contacted the firm I was frightened and quite panicked, but from the first phone call I was reassured that I would get the best possible representation and I DID.
    - Alicia
    "Handled Each Step Of My Case Very Professionally"
    Blake handled each step of my case very professionally and at the end of it all delivered a very positive outcome. He explained everything each step of the way and was always available to answer questions.
    - Daniel