Melanie Laboy is a former prosecutor, former judge, and one of the most respected criminal defense attorneys in the greater Phoenix area.
As a partner at MayesTelles PLLC, Melanie has spent more than two decades in Arizona's criminal courts, first as a prosecutor and now as a defense attorney. She has handled everything from misdemeanors in municipal court to felony trials in Superior Court, along with many juvenile matters.
Before joining our firm, Melanie served as a felony trial prosecutor and Deputy County Attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, where she handled cases involving theft, fraud, probation violations, and weapons offenses. That background gives her a clear view of how the State builds a case, what prosecutors weigh in deciding whether to charge, and where an investigation can be challenged.
Melanie has also served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Maricopa County Superior and Juvenile Courts and for the cities of Tolleson and Goodyear, along with hearing officer work in the juvenile courts. Time on the bench gives her a sense of how judges evaluate arguments and rule on the issues that decide a case.
Today, Melanie focuses on pre-file investigations and active criminal cases, including complex matters that put serious penalties and prison time on the table. She prepares each case with the perspective of someone who has worked the system from both sides.
In 2020, Melanie was appointed by the Governor's Office as one of three Public Members of the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners, the agency that licenses and regulates the practice of psychology and behavior analysis in Arizona.
Education
- J.D. — Marquette University Law School
- B.A. — Marquette University
Bar Admissions & Court Admissions
Bar Admissions
Courts
- Arizona Superior Court
- Arizona municipal and justice courts
Judicial & Prosecutorial Background
- Felony Trial Prosecutor and Deputy County Attorney — Maricopa County Attorney's Office
- Judge Pro Tem — Maricopa County Superior Court and Juvenile Courts
- Judge Pro Tem — City of Tolleson and City of Goodyear
Board Memberships & Community
- City of Phoenix Commissioner — Development Advisory Board
- Public Member, Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners — appointed by the Governor's Office (2020)
Awards
- Litigator of the Year (2024) — American Institute of Trial Lawyers
