Initial appearance court (Intake, Transfer and Release)
The first court date after an arrest, within 24 hours. Release conditions, including any no-contact order, are set here.
2670 S. 28th Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85009
Tempe drug paraphernalia defense
Drug Paraphernalia Lawyer in Tempe, AZ
How the evidence was found matters.
A rolled bill, a digital scale on a dorm desk, a pipe under a car seat near Mill Avenue: in Tempe, any of these can lead to a paraphernalia count, and Arizona writes that count as a felony even when almost no drug was found. How it ends can follow a degree, a job search or a license application.
We can help. Nova Law Group was built by a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, and we take a meticulous, aggressive approach, fighting from every angle, because the report is only one side of the story.
Talk to us before you talk to anyone else. Call (480) 405-6767. Consultations are free and confidential, and the earlier we are involved, the more we can do.
FounderRyan TaitFormer Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutorMeet Ryan →★ 5-star reviewsFormer felony prosecutorAvailable after hoursFlat fee on most criminal casesFree, confidential consultation
The charges
Two tracks for a Tempe paraphernalia count
First court date
Within 24 hours of an arrest. On a felony booking into the county jail, release conditions are set at the jail court, 2670 S. 28th Dr. in Phoenix.
Misdemeanor
The Tempe City Attorney's Office, Criminal Division, brings it in Tempe Municipal Court, 140 E. Fifth Street.
Felony
The County Attorney brings it in Superior Court in downtown Phoenix, 201 W. Jefferson St. or 175 W. Madison St.
Other agencies
A DPS or Sheriff's case can be assigned to a county justice court. The citation names the court.
A Tempe paraphernalia count usually rides along with a stop, an apartment call or another arrest. Tempe Police write most of these reports; on university property, ASU Police may be the agency instead.
The felony track comes first. Section 13-3415 is a class 6 felony, so the report normally goes to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, often with a possession count. Someone booked on the felony sees a judge at the Intake, Transfer and Release facility, 2670 S. 28th Dr., Phoenix, within the 24 hours Rule 4.1 sets. Charged cases go to the downtown Superior Court complex: the Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., or the South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St. Confirm the building on your current notice. Drug cases there often go to the Early Disposition Court, and Felony Diversion is a post-charge County Attorney option.
The city track is narrower. A prosecutor can bring a class 6 felony as a misdemeanor by complaint in a municipal or justice court, and in Tempe that puts the count in Tempe Municipal Court, 140 E. Fifth Street, prosecuted by the City Attorney's Criminal Division upstairs in Suite 301. The appearance date on the citation or complaint is the arraignment date.
On that track, the court notes that City Prosecutor's Office programs can stand in for trial on some offenses, explained at arraignment, and Tempe Community Supervision on Rural Road handles City diversion and probation on referral from the court or prosecutor. Eligibility is the prosecutor's call.
Seized items are held at the Police Property Facility, 1875 E. Apache Blvd.; if residue is alleged, the lab report shows what was tested.
The law
The paraphernalia statute, part by part
Each of three forms is a class 6 felonyUse, or possession with intent to use, with a drug in violation of Arizona's drug laws (subsection A); delivery, or possession or manufacture with intent to deliver, knowing or having reason to know its use (subsection B); and advertising meant to promote its sale (subsection C).
Drug and paraphernalia"Drug" covers narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, marijuana and peyote (§ 13-3415(F)(1)). Paraphernalia reaches equipment, products and materials "of any kind" tied to drug use, such as scales, pipes, bongs, syringes and small packaging containers (§ 13-3415(F)(2)). Testing products used to check a substance for fentanyl or a fentanyl analog are left out of the testing equipment example (§ 13-3415(F)(2)(d)).
The court's factorsSection 13-3415(E) lists, among others, the owner's statements, nearness to drugs, drug residue and legitimate uses in the community.
Adults and marijuana itemsSubsections (A) and (B) open with exceptions for § 36-2852 and § 36-2853(C). Under § 36-2852(A)(5), a person at least 21 may lawfully acquire, possess, use, buy, sell or transport paraphernalia relating to marijuana.
Under 21 and marijuana itemsSection 36-2853(B) covers a person under 21 who possesses paraphernalia relating to marijuana consumption: a civil penalty of up to $100 for a first violation, a petty offense for a second, and a class 1 misdemeanor for a third or later one.
Misdemeanor designationA complaint in a justice or municipal court designating the offense a misdemeanor makes it one (§ 13-604(D)). After conviction, a judge who finds a felony sentence unduly harsh can enter a class 1 misdemeanor or leave the offense undesignated during probation, unless the person has two or more prior felonies (§ 13-604(A)); until designated, it counts as a felony for gun rights (§ 13-604(B)(3)).
SentencingA first class 6 felony carries .33 to 2 years, 1 presumptive (§ 13-702(D)). Proposition 200 requires probation with treatment or education for personal possession or use of paraphernalia (§ 13-901.01(A), (D)), subject to the § 13-901.01(H) exceptions. A class 1 misdemeanor allows up to six months in jail (§ 13-707(A)(1)) and a $2,500 fine (§ 13-802(A)).
Drug Paraphernalia Lawyer in Tempe, AZ
What we examine in a Tempe paraphernalia case
Is it paraphernalia? Scales and containers have everyday uses; the report must tie this one to a drug.
Whose was it? Section 13-105(34) defines possess as knowingly holding something or exercising dominion or control over it. A grinder in a shared kitchen does not implicate every roommate.
Was anything tested? Residue should rest on analysis, not appearance.
How the search began. Under § 36-2852(C), marijuana odor alone is not reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime, except in an impaired driving investigation under § 28-1381.
Which track fits. A city misdemeanor, a prosecutor program, Proposition 200 probation and felony diversion leave different records.
Avoiding jail is not the same as avoiding a conviction. Anyone serving felony probation is a prohibited possessor under § 13-3101(A)(7)(d). Federal law bars firearms after a conviction for a crime punishable by more than one year (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)) and for an unlawful user of a controlled substance (§ 922(g)(3)). A conviction relating to a controlled substance can make a noncitizen deportable, apart from a single offense of possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana for personal use (8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(B)(i)); get immigration advice before any plea.
The law
Sources: Arizona statutes and Cornell Law School
We checked every legal point in this page against the texts below, saved Oct 29, 2026.
- § 13-3415, drug paraphernalia offenses (azleg.gov)
- § 36-2852, adult marijuana possession and paraphernalia (azleg.gov)
- § 36-2853, marijuana violations and penalties (azleg.gov)
- § 13-604, designating a class 6 felony (azleg.gov)
- § 13-901.01, Proposition 200 probation (azleg.gov)
- § 13-702, felony sentencing ranges (azleg.gov)
- § 13-707, misdemeanor jail terms (azleg.gov)
- § 13-802, misdemeanor fines (azleg.gov)
- § 13-105, definition of possess (azleg.gov)
- § 28-1381, impaired driving (azleg.gov)
- § 13-3101, prohibited possessors (azleg.gov)
- 8 U.S.C. § 1227 (Cornell LII)
- 18 U.S.C. § 922 (Cornell LII)
- Wex: controlled substance (Cornell LII)
Drug Paraphernalia Lawyer in Tempe, AZ
A former prosecutor and a flat fee
Nova Law Group was built by Ryan Tait, a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor. The practice is criminal defense first. We keep caseloads deliberately low, which means the lawyers on your case have time to actually watch the video and read the reports line by line. Here, that starts with which track the prosecutor picks. We take cases to trial when trial is the right pressure. Overcharging happens, and a case that is genuinely prepared for trial changes the conversation with the prosecutor. Most criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. Consultations are free and confidential.
Former felony prosecutorBuilt by a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor.
Low caseloadsTime to watch the video and read the reports line by line.
Ready for trialA case prepared for trial changes the conversation with the prosecutor.
Flat feeMost criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. Consultations are free and confidential.
Our office
Meet us on Camelback Road
Office: 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Meetings are by appointment.
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Resources
Tempe courts and official links
Where a Tempe case is heard depends on the charge and the agency. Some offices are in Tempe and some are in Phoenix. Each card has directions and the official website, so you can check details before you go.
Maricopa County Attorney's Office
Decides felony charges in Maricopa County and prosecutes them in Superior Court.
225 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Maricopa County Superior Court, downtown
Felony cases prosecuted by the County Attorney. Confirm the building on your current notice.
Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Tempe Municipal Court
Tempe misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases, from arraignment to trial. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone (480) 350-8271.
140 E. Fifth Street, Tempe, AZ 85281Laws cited on this page
- A.R.S. § 13-3415, Possession, manufacture, delivery and advertisement of drug paraphernalia; classification; civil forfeiture
- A.R.S. § 36-2852, Allowable possession and personal use of marijuana, marijuana products and marijuana paraphernalia
- A.R.S. § 36-2853, Violations; classification; civil penalty; additional fine; enforcement
- A.R.S. § 13-604, Class 6 felony; designation
- A.R.S. § 13-901.01, Probation for persons convicted of possession or use of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia; treatment
- A.R.S. § 13-702, First time felony offenders; sentencing; definition
- A.R.S. § 13-707, Misdemeanors; sentencing
- A.R.S. § 13-802, Fines for misdemeanors
- A.R.S. § 13-105, Definitions
- A.R.S. § 28-1381, Driving or actual physical control while under the influence; trial by jury; presumptions; admissible evidence
- A.R.S. § 13-3101, Definitions
Common questions
Tempe paraphernalia questions
Usually it means the prosecutor is proceeding on the misdemeanor track. Under A.R.S. § 13-604(D), a complaint in a municipal court designating the offense a misdemeanor makes it one. That opens Tempe options, such as programs offered by the City Prosecutor's Office for some offenses, which the court explains at arraignment. Read the complaint itself, though, and do not miss the appearance date printed on it.
As written, yes. Section 13-3415(A) makes using or possessing paraphernalia with intent to use it with a drug a class 6 felony, and it sets no minimum amount. The State still has to connect the object to drug use, and the court weighs factors such as residue, nearness to drugs and legitimate uses. A felony charge also does not have to end as a felony conviction.
For someone 21 or older, § 36-2852(A)(5) treats marijuana paraphernalia as lawful, and subsection (A) of § 13-3415 carves that section out. It reaches marijuana items only. If the report says the item was used with another drug, the evidence behind that claim, including whether any residue was tested, becomes the central question.
Section 13-3415(F)(2)(d) carves out of its testing equipment example any narcotic drug testing product used to learn whether a substance has fentanyl or a fentanyl analog in it. If a strip is the main item in your Tempe report, raise it with your lawyer early; the count may rest on less than it seems.
Drug Paraphernalia Lawyer in Tempe, AZ
Find out which track you are on
Call (480) 405-6767 before the first hearing, whichever courthouse it is in.
Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., by appointment.
Client reviews
Hear What Our Clients Say
From our Google reviews, plus Yelp and Avvo. These are clients’ own words, reproduced from our review profiles.
★★★★★
“These guys are the best attorneys in all of Arizona. It is definitely the most professional group of lawyers… I recommend this firm!”
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“Sydney was extremely thorough regarding every single detail of my criminal case… it ultimately resulted in a clear and powerful win for my case.”
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“They fought tirelessly for my case and helped me achieve a favorable outcome. Exceptional service and results.”
★★★★★
“The firm provided me with the most professional legal representation possible. Mr. Ryan Tait patiently explained… beyond my expectations.”
★★★★★
“The best law firm that I have ever dealt with. The amount of passion & commitment that they dedicated for my case… truly what separated them from other law firms.”
★★★★★
“Oh my goodness, our lawyer Ryan Tait was amazing. He does what he says he’s going to do. A very patient lawyer… He’s a miracle worker.”
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“Ryan Tait was amazing and really helpful. I would recommend him.”
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★★★★★
“Alexis Brooks was my lawyer… She was extremely professional yet down to earth and always made me feel at ease and confident in my case. I would definitely recommend her for anyone that needs an excellent defense attorney.”
★★★★★
“Spectacular representation! Sydney was very compassionate, diligent and professional. I can’t recommend enough.”
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“…Ryan and his team are kind, understanding, and very good listeners. Each member of his team was well educated, knowledgable and very professional.”
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“We hired Mr. Tait to handle a legal affair for a member of our family. It was a complex criminal case that required over two years of work! Through the entire effort, Mr. Tait kept us informed…”
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“My family hired Ryan Tait to fight for my family member… He went over all the pros and cons. He answered all our questions and calls. He knows what he is doing.”
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★★★★★
“Excellent lawyers… and their honesty, and they helped me even though I do not live in Arizona.”
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Reseñas de clientes
Lo que dicen nuestros clientes
De nuestras reseñas en Google, además de Yelp y Avvo. Son las palabras de nuestros clientes, tomadas de nuestros perfiles de reseñas y traducidas del inglés.
★★★★★
“Son los mejores abogados de todo Arizona. Sin duda es el grupo de abogados más profesional… ¡Recomiendo esta firma!”
★★★★★
“Sydney fue sumamente minuciosa con cada detalle de mi caso penal… al final, eso resultó en una victoria clara y contundente para mi caso.”
★★★★★
“Lucharon incansablemente por mi caso y me ayudaron a lograr un resultado favorable. Servicio y resultados excepcionales.”
★★★★★
“La firma me brindó la representación legal más profesional posible. El Sr. Ryan Tait me explicó con paciencia… más allá de mis expectativas.”
★★★★★
“La mejor firma de abogados con la que he tratado. La pasión y el compromiso que dedicaron a mi caso… es lo que realmente los distinguió de otras firmas.”
★★★★★
“¡Dios mío, nuestro abogado Ryan Tait fue increíble! Cumple lo que dice que va a hacer. Un abogado muy paciente… Hace milagros.”
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
“Orientación útil y clara en un momento de incertidumbre. Muy recomendables.”
★★★★★
“Ryan Tait fue increíble y de gran ayuda. Lo recomendaría.”
★★★★★
“Si busca un despacho que de verdad se preocupe por usted y haga que una situación difícil sea menos estresante, esta es su gente… Alexis fue mi abogada, y fue una verdadera bendición.”
★★★★★
“Alexis Brooks fue mi abogada… Fue sumamente profesional y a la vez sencilla, y siempre me hizo sentir tranquilo y seguro con mi caso. Sin duda la recomendaría a cualquiera que necesite una excelente abogada defensora.”
★★★★★
“¡Representación espectacular! Sydney fue muy compasiva, diligente y profesional. No puedo recomendarla lo suficiente.”
★★★★★
“…Ryan y su equipo son amables, comprensivos y saben escuchar. Cada miembro de su equipo demostró estar bien preparado, con conocimiento y gran profesionalismo.”
★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
“Excelentes abogados… y su honestidad y eso que me ayudaron que yo no vivo en Arizona”
Los resultados anteriores no garantizan un resultado similar.
Talk to a Tempe criminal defense lawyer
If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by a detective in Tempe, the decisions you make in the first few days matter. We defend misdemeanors in Tempe Municipal Court and the justice courts, and felonies in Maricopa County Superior Court downtown.
Free, confidential consultation: (480) 405-6767
Prefer not to call? Send us your case details and a member of our team will follow up with you.
Tempe courts
- Tempe Municipal CourtMisdemeanors and criminal traffic cases from inside Tempe. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.140 E. Fifth St., Tempe, AZ 85281Court website Directions
- Justice courtsSome DPS and Sheriff's Office misdemeanors. Your citation names the court.Find your court
- Maricopa County Superior CourtFelonies, at the downtown criminal court complex.Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Court website Directions
Our office: Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., by appointment. Directions
Hable con un abogado de defensa penal en Tempe
Si lo arrestaron, lo acusaron o un detective lo contactó en Tempe, las decisiones que tome en los primeros días importan. Defendemos delitos menores en la Corte Municipal de Tempe y en las cortes de justicia, y delitos graves en la Corte Superior del Condado de Maricopa en el centro de Phoenix.
Consulta gratuita y confidencial: (480) 405-6767
¿Prefiere no llamar? Envíenos los detalles de su caso y un miembro de nuestro equipo se comunicará con usted.
Cortes de Tempe
- Corte Municipal de TempeDelitos menores y casos penales de tránsito dentro de Tempe. De lunes a viernes, de 8:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m.140 E. Fifth St., Tempe, AZ 85281Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
- Cortes de justiciaAlgunos delitos menores del DPS y de la Oficina del Sheriff. Su citación indica la corte.Busque su corte
- Corte Superior del Condado de MaricopaDelitos graves, en el complejo penal del centro.Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
Nuestra oficina: Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. De lunes a viernes, de 8:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m., con cita previa. Cómo llegar
RecognitionReconocimientos
Awards and ratingsPremios y calificaciones
Awards and ratings reflect the standards of the organizations that issue them. They do not predict the outcome of any case.Los premios y las calificaciones reflejan los criterios de las organizaciones que los otorgan. No predicen el resultado de ningún caso.