Scottsdale Sexual Conduct with a Minor Defense Lawyer
Accused of sexual conduct with a minor in Scottsdale? A conviction under A.R.S. 13-1405 can mean years in prison and sex-offender registration. Our team defends the full range of sex-crime cases across Scottsdale and Maricopa County. Do not speak with a detective before you call us.
Is Sexual Conduct with a Minor a Felony in Scottsdale?
Yes. Sexual Conduct with a Minor under A.R.S. 13-1405 is a serious felony, and a Scottsdale conviction can carry prison and sex-offender registration. But an accusation is not proof. A Scottsdale sexual conduct with a minor defense lawyer protects your rights from the first contact with police, challenges the evidence and the State’s theory of intent, and fights for a dismissal or reduction. Call 623-321-4699, 24/7.
What Is Sexual Conduct with a Minor in Arizona?
Sexual conduct with a minor under A.R.S. 13-1405 is intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with anyone under eighteen. Age, the alleged conduct, and any position of trust all change how the offense is charged and punished.
Sexual Conduct with a Minor Penalties & Registration
When the minor is under fifteen it is a Class 2 felony and a dangerous crime against children under A.R.S. 13-705, carrying 13 to 27 years of flat-time prison (presumptive 20) per count, or life imprisonment if the minor is twelve or younger. For a minor fifteen to seventeen it is a Class 6 felony, a Class 4 felony if the defendant is over twenty-one and more than sixty months older than the minor, or a Class 2 if the defendant was in a position of trust. Most convictions require sex-offender registration.
Because the stakes are this high, every element, especially intent and the search or interview that produced the evidence, is a place to fight. Charges in Scottsdale are heard in the Maricopa County Superior Court; see our Scottsdale court guide.
How We Defend Sexual Conduct with a Minor Cases in Scottsdale
When you call Tamou Law Group, you reach a firm with serious experience defending sex-crime allegations throughout Scottsdale and Maricopa County. Our team includes former prosecutors and law enforcement officers, so we know exactly how the State builds these cases, and where the interview, the forensics, and the intent element fall apart.
At many firms the name on the door is a figurehead and your case goes to a junior associate. When you hire Tamou Law Group, your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou. We are available 24/7 and serve Scottsdale from our Phoenix and Scottsdale offices. Call 623-321-4699.
Related Sex-Crime Defense
We defend the full range of Arizona sex offenses. Select a topic to learn more.
Why Tamou Law Group for Sex Crime Charges
A sex-crime allegation is usually one account against another, and the State files first and investigates second. We treat these cases as evidence cases from day one: digital records, forensic interviews, timelines and the gaps between them.
A dismissal on the hardest charge
Our published results include a sexual assault and sexual abuse case dismissed after extensive litigation, and reductions on luring, sexual conduct with a minor, molestation and sexual exploitation charges. These are the cases most firms plead early.
Former prosecutors who charged these cases
Attorneys on our team have worked inside the offices that file sex-crime charges in Arizona. They know how forensic interviews are scored, what a detective needs before a confrontation call, and which weaknesses the State hopes you never notice.
Pre-charge defense
Sex-crime cases often begin with a detective’s call, before any charge exists. That window is where a case is declined, downgraded or filed as alleged, and we have handled that stage from both sides of the table.
Published results in this area
| Case | Charges | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| State v. W.N. | Sexual assault and sexual abuse (A.R.S. 13-1406, 13-1404) | Case dismissed |
| State v. P.J. | Sexual abuse and indecent exposure (13-1404, 13-1402) | Reduced charge |
| State v. N.D. | Luring a minor and attempt (13-3554, 13-1001) | Reduced charge |
| State v. L.B. | Sexual conduct with a minor and attempt (13-1405, 13-1001) | Reduced charge |
| State v. H.V. | Molestation of a child and sexual abuse (13-1410, 13-1404) | Reduced charge |
| State v. V.R. | Sexual exploitation of a minor (13-3553) | Reduced charge |
| State v. G.D. | Indecent exposure and disorderly conduct (13-1402, 13-2904) | Deferred prosecution |
Anonymized outcomes from our case results page. Every case is different; past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Scottsdale Sexual Conduct with a Minor FAQs
Answers to common questions about sexual conduct with a minor charges in Scottsdale.
Can the charge be reduced to a lesser offense in Maricopa County?
Sometimes. Depending on the ages and facts, a charge can be reduced to a lower felony or a non-registerable offense, which changes your life. That is the focus of the defense.
How long does a sexual conduct with a minor case take?
These felony cases often take many months. The time allows full investigation of age, consent, and the accusation, which usually benefits the defense.
Is there a Romeo and Juliet law in Arizona?
Arizona has a limited close-in-age defense for consensual conduct between teenagers within two years of age in some situations. Whether it applies depends on the exact ages and facts, and we evaluate it carefully.
Can sexual conduct with a minor charges be dropped in Scottsdale?
Yes. Charges can be reduced or dismissed when consent and age are misjudged, the accusation is false, or the State cannot prove the conduct. Each element is a place to fight.
Is mistake of age a defense in Arizona?
For older teens (15 to 17), a reasonable, good-faith mistake about the victim’s age can be a defense in some cases. For a child under fifteen it generally is not, which makes the facts critical.
What is the sentence for sexual conduct with a minor in Arizona?
For a child under fifteen it is a Class 2 dangerous crime against children with 13 to 27 years of flat-time prison per count, or life imprisonment if the child is twelve or younger. For ages 15 to 17 it is typically a Class 6 felony unless a position of trust applies.
Does sexual conduct with a minor require sex-offender registration in Scottsdale?
Most convictions require sex-offender registration, and dangerous-crime convictions require it for life. Avoiding that result is often the central goal of the defense.
What is a position of trust under Arizona law?
A parent, teacher, coach, clergy member, or other authority figure occupies a position of trust. It can raise a charge involving a 15-to-17-year-old from a Class 6 to a Class 2 felony.
Key Takeaways
- Sexual Conduct with a Minor under A.R.S. 13-1405 is a serious felony, a Scottsdale conviction can mean prison and registration.
- An accusation is not proof, the State must prove every element, including sexual intent.
- Cases are heard in the Maricopa County Superior Court; early defense protects your rights and your record.
- Our team includes former prosecutors and law enforcement, we know how these cases are built.
- Your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou, 24/7 at 623-321-4699.
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Client reviews
What our clients say
I highly recommend Michael Tamou! He recently handled my GCE application, and I couldn't be more grateful for his help. From the very beginning, Michael was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and thorough in making sure everything was completed perfectly. What stood out the most was his compassion—legal processes can be highly stressful, but he treated me with genuine care, kept me informed, and made me feel completely supported throughout. If you need a dedicated and skilled attorney who truly cares about his clients, look no further than Michael Tamou.
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TSTed SchroederGoogle review · Jul 2026I had an aggravated DUI case class 4 felony. With an extensive criminal record of 7 prior felonies. Mr. Tamou did an outstanding job on my case, he got me the least possible amount of time. He got the prosecutor not to allege any of my priers. I did just 4 months with a probation tail. Other lawyers I spoke with prior to retaining M. Tamou, told me the best they could get, would be a few years in prison, due to my extensive criminal history. Michael said he would fight for me and he delivered. He has relationships with the prosecutors and judges and is a great negotiator. Also he was great with communicating with me throughout the process. Always returned my calls and text messages and kept me informed. I highly recommend him.
PGPaul GonzalezGoogle review · May 2026I had a great experience with Tamou Law! Michael was very helpful. He took the time to explain everything in a way that was easy for me to understand, which made the entire process feel much less overwhelming. He was patient, professional, and always made sure I felt informed and comfortable with each step. I truly appreciated his communication and support throughout! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
SSandraGoogle review · Apr 2026Michael is truly amazing. I am so happy that I chose him to help me with my legal situation. He is completely trustworthy. Michael was completely transparent and honest throughout the entire process and offered support to me like I was his own family member. He was patient and understanding and prompt in responding to any of my inquiries during my waiting period. His explanations were clear and logical, and I felt beyond comfortable with him. I really appreciate him and the staff in his practice, and I highly recommend him for anyone's legal needs!! Thank you, Michael! You're really the best. I appreciate you!
RLRochelle LeeGoogle review · Feb 2026Our family went through the worst time of our lives! It was wonderful to have Michael on our side fighting for us and giving us the advice we needed to take the right steps. Case Dismissed! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and support.
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LBLaurie BryantGoogle review · 2024Great experience from start to finish. Professional, responsive, and made a stressful situation much easier. I felt confident the whole time and really appreciated Michael’s support. Highly recommend!
SMShivraj MannGoogle review · Apr 2026Had a situation that Michael helped me through with the best possible outcome. Very responsive and actually cares about his clients.
CJCaleb JohnsonGoogle review · Aug 2026My son was an idiot and was in serious trouble. He was facing prison time. Fortunately, we were referred to Tamou Law Group by trusted friends and we are beyond grateful that we listened. From the onset, Michael helped to put our family at ease. We discussed the charges where Mike provided insight that helped adjust our expectations. Sure enough, it played out nearly exactly like Mike predicted. Mike put a strong case together – which resulted with no jail time! If you find yourself in need of legal representation, you should hire Michael Timou!
AHArmando HernandezGoogle review · 2025I can’t recommend Tamou law group enough. From day one, Micheal took the time to really listen, explained my options in a way that actually made sense, and built a strong strategy that put my mind at ease. The entire team was professional, responsive and genuinely caring throughout the whole process. They fought tirelessly and delivered a result that far exceeded my expectations. If you need a law firm you can trust completely, this is it. Thank you!
BKBryan KingGoogle review · Dec 2025
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
Our Scottsdale office on Shea Boulevard serves Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the surrounding East Valley, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings by appointment. We also meet clients at our Phoenix office.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.






