Arizona Dangerous Crimes Against Children Lawyer

Charged with a DCAC Offense? Call MayesTelles 24/7

Dangerous crimes against children, often called DCAC offenses, are among the most serious allegations a person can face in Arizona. A DCAC designation can turn an already serious felony into a case involving mandatory prison, long sentencing ranges, strict release limits, consecutive sentences, and life-changing collateral consequences.

If you were arrested, charged, or contacted by police about an alleged offense involving a child under the age of 15, the State may already be looking at A.R.S. § 13-705 sentencing. At MayesTelles PLLC, we defend clients facing serious felony and sex crime allegations throughout the Phoenix metro area and across Arizona. 

We are a team of former prosecutors with 200+ years of experience. We have handled thousands of criminal cases across the state and secured complete dismissals in cases involving DCAC allegations.

Call us at (602) 428-7104. Consultations are free, and we are available 24/7. Se habla español.

Proven Results in Serious Felony Cases

MayesTelles PLLC has secured more than 1,000 acquittals and case dismissals for clients across Arizona, along with numerous positive outcomes involving reduced penalties, avoided jail time, and reduced charges. 

Some examples of our results:

• Five Felony Sex Offenses Dismissed — Client faced five felony sex offense counts, including sexual conduct with a minor and molestation of a child. 
• Multiple Child Abuse Charges Dismissed — Client faced two Class 4 felony child abuse counts and one Class 6 felony failure-to-report allegation. 
• Multiple Sex Crime Charges Reduced — Client faced sexual exploitation of a minor, voyeurism, and tampering with physical evidence. Charges reduced to one count of negligent child abuse. 

Read about other case victories

What Is a Dangerous Crime Against Children in Arizona?

A dangerous crime against children is a sentencing classification (not a separate charge) under A.R.S. § 13-705 that applies when three conditions are met:

1. The offense is one of the enumerated eligible crimes, 
2. The defendant was an adult or tried as an adult, and 
3. The alleged victim was under 15. 

When those conditions are met, Arizona’s normal felony sentencing rules no longer apply.

Arizona law lists specific offenses that can qualify as dangerous crimes against children, including:

• Sexual assault
• Molestation of a child 
• Sexual conduct with a minor 
• Sexual abuse 
• Child sex trafficking 
• Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor 
• Sexual exploitation of a minor 
• Kidnapping 
• Luring a minor 
• Continuous sexual abuse of a child 
• Sexual extortion 
• Certain violent or drug-related offenses involving minors 
• Child abuse under certain circumstances 

The list matters because not every case involving a minor is automatically a DCAC case. The defense should examine whether the alleged offense qualifies, whether the age element can be proven, and whether the State is applying A.R.S. § 13-705 correctly.

First-Degree and Second-Degree DCAC Allegations

Arizona law separates dangerous crimes against children into first-degree and second-degree categories. 

A DCAC is generally considered:

• First degree if the offense was completed
• Second degree if the offense was preparatory (with a specific exception for attempted first-degree murder)

That distinction can affect sentencing. Preparatory offenses may still carry severe prison exposure, but completed offenses are often punished more harshly. Charging language, alleged conduct, age-related proof, and the exact statute involved all need careful review by an experienced DCAC defense attorney, like those at MayesTelles.

What the State Must Prove

DCAC cases are often built around the underlying charge plus the sentencing classification. That means the State must prove more than a general accusation involving a child.

In practice, the fight often centers on:

• The underlying offense — Can the State prove every element of the charged crime? 
• Age-related proof — Can prosecutors prove the alleged victim was under 15, or that a fictitious or undercover person was represented as under 15 and the accused knew or had reason to know that? 
• The DCAC classification — Does A.R.S. § 13-705 apply to the charged offense and alleged facts? 
• Evidence reliability — Do forensic interviews, digital records, medical evidence, witness statements, or law enforcement reports support the allegation? 
• Overcharging — Is the State using the DCAC label to increase pressure before the evidence has been tested? 

Penalties Under Arizona's DCAC Statute

Arizona’s DCAC statute carries some of the harshest sentencing rules in the state. 

Penalties depend on the offense, the alleged victim’s age, whether the case is first degree or second degree, and whether the accused has prior predicate felony convictions.

Examples of sentencing exposure under A.R.S. § 13-705 include:

• Certain first-degree DCAC offenses like sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, child sex trafficking, or commercial sexual exploitation may carry 13 to 27 years in prison, with a presumptive term of 20 years.
• Some offenses, including molestation of a child, sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated luring, kidnapping, child abuse, and related allegations, may carry 10 to 24 years in prison, with a presumptive term of 17 years. 
• Continuous sexual abuse of a child carries a sentencing range of 39 to 81 years, with a presumptive term of 60 years. 
• Some second-degree DCAC offenses carry 5 to 15 years in prison, with a presumptive term of 10 years. 

A.R.S. § 13-705 also includes strict release limitations and consecutive sentencing rules. In most DCAC cases, sentences run consecutively rather than at the same time. The main exceptions involve molestation of a child and sexual abuse when there is a single victim. When prosecutors file multiple DCAC counts, total exposure can compound quickly.

Charges also carry more than criminal penalties. This includes difficulties with employment and licensing, an impact on immigration status, and issues with housing and child custody, as well as mandatory sex offender registration. 

How DCAC Cases Are Built & How We Dismantle Them

DCAC cases often begin long before formal charges are filed. 

Police may collect statements, seize devices, request passwords, execute search warrants, interview children, review medical records, or gather reports from schools, family members, therapists, or online platforms.

Your defense team can examine how the case was built, including:

• Whether interviews were properly conducted 
• Whether statements changed over time 
• Whether digital evidence was collected lawfully 
• Whether the State is relying on incomplete screenshots, messages, or account records 
• Whether medical or forensic evidence actually supports the allegation 
• Whether family conflict, custody issues, pressure from others, or outside influence affected the report 

Early defense involvement can help protect statements, preserve favorable evidence, address warrant issues, and communicate with investigators before the case hardens.

A strong defense starts by separating the accusation from what the evidence can prove. DCAC cases can involve serious allegations, but they also frequently turn on small details, inconsistent statements, digital context, and whether the State is stretching the law. As former felony prosecutors, we know these cases from the inside out.

Don't Wait to Get Started on Your Defense – Call Now

If you were arrested, charged, or contacted by police about a dangerous crime against children allegation, our Phoenix DCAC defense attorneys at MayesTelles can help you fight back. 

We serve clients across Maricopa County and Arizona, are available 24/7, and offer flexible payment plans. Call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online for a free consultation. Se habla español.