Gilbert Criminal Defense Lawyer

Trial-Ready Defense. Proven Results.

If you were arrested, cited, served with a warrant, or believe you’re under investigation in Gilbert, the next decisions you make matter. Criminal cases don’t start in a courtroom. They start with police reports, interviews, body-worn camera footage, lab submissions, and prosecutor charging decisions. Our job is to challenge the State’s narrative early, pressure-test the evidence, and build a defense designed to protect your freedom and future. 

MayesTelles PLLC is a premier criminal defense firm with the firepower to handle serious misdemeanor and felony cases, and the judgment to know when to litigate, when to negotiate, and when to push for dismissal.

Why Clients Choose MayesTelles PLLC

• Nearly 200 Years of Combined Experience 
• Thousands of Cases Successfully Handled 
• Former Prosecutors & Law Enforcement (insight into how charging decisions are made and how cases are built) 
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Principal Attorneys) 

Call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online for a FREE, confidential case review. Our Gilbert criminal defense attorneys are available 24/7 to help. Se habla Español. Our Gilbert office is located at:

365 E. Germann Rd
Suite 370
Gilbert, AZ 85297

A Team Built for High-Stakes Defense

MayesTelles PLLC is built for serious criminal cases. Our team includes award-winning trial lawyers and former prosecutors who understand how the State evaluates cases, where the pressure points are, and how to attack weak evidence. We prepare cases to challenge the government’s version of events from day one, and we do it with a trial-ready posture that prosecutors recognize.

• J. Blake Mayes – Founding Partner J. Blake Mayes is a trial-focused defense attorney who steps in early, identifies leverage fast, and builds defenses around what wins cases: unlawful police conduct, unreliable evidence, and gaps in proof the State can’t fix. He is known for direct counsel and disciplined preparation—whether the right move is pushing for dismissal, litigating key motions, or taking a case to trial. Mr. Mayes has been selected to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 in Arizona.
• David Telles – Founding Partner David Telles brings strategic, trial-ready defense to high-stakes matters—from serious misdemeanors to complex felony cases. He is methodical about attacking the prosecution’s theory, challenging credibility, and using motion practice to narrow, weaken, or exclude the State’s evidence. Clients value his clear communication and steady control of fast-moving cases. Mr. Telles has been selected to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 in Arizona.

Learn more about our team.

Client Testimonials

We’ve handled thousands of criminal cases for clients across Gilbert and beyond. People come to MayesTelles PLLC when the stakes are real and they want a defense team that is prepared, responsive, and willing to push back against the government’s case.

“The trouble as I was in with the city of Gilbert was overwhelming. I was scared and unsure where my future lay. I am truly grateful for MayesTelles PLLC. They helped me find the strength to get my life in order and I believe they set a standard of what true representation should be. Thank you MayesTelles PLLC, your team truly provided wisdom and security.” – Former Client

“I don’t ever wish this upon anybody but if you need a criminal defense lawyer don’t hesitate to contact MayesTelles PLLC. This was the best experience I’ve had from start to finish.” – Former Client

“Deciding to work with David Telles was one of the best decisions of my life. He always responded within a timely manner and was very knowledgeable. He made sure to be extremely thorough before making any decisions. I highly recommend Mr. Telles and I will always be using him in the future. Thanks again for all the hard work from you and your team.” – Former Client

Read more testimonials.

Criminal Cases We Handle

MayesTelles PLLC defends clients against a full range of misdemeanor and felony charges in both state and federal courts, including:

• DUI and aggravated DUI
• Drug possession, sale, transportation, and trafficking
• Domestic violence allegations
• Assault and other violent crime charges
• Theft, burglary, robbery, and property crimes
• White-collar crimes (fraud, forgery, embezzlement, identity theft)
• Sex crime allegations
• Weapons offenses
• Probation violations
• Juvenile offenses
• Warrants and failure-to-appear matters

Our team also has experienced getting involved early in criminal investigations. If you have reason to believe you are under investigation by any state or federal agency, we can help.

How We Defend Criminal Cases

A criminal case is only as strong as the evidence behind it—and how that evidence was gathered. We build defenses designed to expose weaknesses, challenge unlawful conduct, and force the State to prove its case.

• We scrutinize police conduct and constitutional issues. Stops, searches, seizures, interviews, and warrants aren’t automatically valid. If law enforcement crossed the line, we move to suppress or exclude evidence.
• We pressure-test the evidence. Reports, bodycam footage, witness statements, lab work, and digital evidence don’t always match—and gaps matter. We look for inconsistencies, missing links, and overstatements.
• We build leverage through strategy—not guesswork. That can mean early engagement with prosecutors when the evidence is thin, targeted motion practice that forces hearings and rulings, or setting the case for trial when that’s the only responsible path.
• We prepare every case with a trial-ready posture. Even when a case resolves short of trial, credible trial preparation is what drives better offers and better outcomes.

Gilbert Criminal Defense FAQ

What Happens After an Arrest?

Depending on the charge, you may be cited and released, booked and released with conditions, or held for an initial appearance where bond and restrictions are set. What most people don’t realize is that the case is often being shaped immediately—sometimes before formal charges are even filed.

Early case decisions can affect:

• Bond conditions (including no-contact orders, travel limits, or alcohol monitoring)
• Evidence preservation (video, communications, witness statements)
• Charging posture (whether the State files, enhances, or adds counts)

Getting counsel involved early is about control: reducing avoidable risk and forcing the government’s case into the open.

Should I Talk to Police or Investigators If I Haven’t Been Charged Yet?

In most situations, no. Investigators are not looking for “your side” in the way most people mean it. They’re looking for statements that help prove elements like intent, knowledge, or motive.

If you’re contacted, the safest move is:

• Do not answer substantive questions
• Do not consent to searches
• Have your attorney communicate on your behalf

Can Criminal Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed?

Sometimes. The outcome depends on the evidence, legal issues, and how early the defense starts building leverage. Resolution paths can include dismissal, reduction, diversion (when available), a negotiated plea, or trial.

Reduction/dismissal is more likely when there are issues like:

• Proof gaps (the State can’t establish key elements)
• Constitutional problems (illegal stop/search, improper interrogation)
• Credibility problems (unreliable witness, inconsistent statements)

What Makes Former Prosecutors Valuable on the Defense Side?

Former prosecutors understand how cases are screened, how prosecutors weigh evidence, and what tends to move decisions on charges and offers. That insight helps the defense pressure-test the case and push on the right leverage points—without guessing.

Practically, it can help with:

• Identifying what the State needs but doesn’t have
• Anticipating charging/plea strategy
• Framing arguments in a way prosecutors recognize as case-changing

Do I Need a Lawyer If the Evidence Seems Strong?

“Strong” evidence isn’t the same as admissible evidence, and it isn’t always as reliable as it first appears. A defense attorney’s job is to test how the evidence was obtained, preserved, and interpreted—then challenge what doesn’t hold up.

Even in cases that look straightforward, we often find:

• Video that contradicts the written report
• Searches that exceed legal limits
• Witness accounts that change under scrutiny

Will My Case Go to Trial?

Most cases resolve without trial, but every case should be prepared like it’s going to trial. That posture protects leverage and keeps the government honest.

Trial-ready preparation tends to improve outcomes because it:

• Forces the State to confront weaknesses early
• Creates motion hearings that can narrow or exclude evidence
• Signals that you won’t accept a bad deal out of fear

What Should I Expect When I Call MayesTelles PLLC?

A confidential, attorney-led conversation focused on facts, exposure, and next steps—not a sales script. If you call while things are moving quickly, we’ll prioritize immediate risks first.

Typically we cover:

• Where the case stands (investigation vs. filed charges)
• What penalties may realistically be in play
• What to do next—and what not to do—so you don’t make the case worse

Call For a FREE Consultation: (602) 428-7104

Criminal charges can threaten your freedom, your job, your professional licensing, and your standing in the community. You need a defense team that can challenge the evidence, confront the prosecution, and stay ready for court.

MayesTelles PLLC is available 24/7. Call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online to schedule a FREE, confidential consultation with a Gilbert criminal defense lawyer.