The Law Office ofJacob Amaru

Criminal Defense & Family law

Jacob Amaru, Criminal Defense & Family Law Attorney

Jacob Amaru has handled hundreds of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Arizona.

Jacob has also litigated hundreds of child custody and grandparenting cases.

Jacob is an Invited Member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

The Law Office of Jacob Amaru serves people in Tucson, Casa Grande, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Bisbee and neighboring cities.

THE LAW OFFICE OF JACOB AMARU FOCUSES ON THREE PRACTICE AREAS:

Criminal Defense

Often over-charged by the State, criminal defense cases carry extremely lengthy sentences.

Jacob tailors his defenses to protect the wrongfully accused.

Cases we defend:

Family Law

(Custody)

Family law matters are special. They require sensitivity, determination, skills at mediation, and extreme respect for a client's privacy.

Jacob defends your case so that as parents, you get to decide what's best for your child.

Cases we defend:

Restraining Orders

Cases we defend:

Click on any of our specialities to learn more about how we defend your rights

A Personal Word

Career highlights

Prior to opening private practice in 2009, I worked as a Public Defender for four years, and at a private law firm for two years.

I am a trial attorney and have litigated in the neighborhood of 100 jury trials and several hundred bench trials.

Although it is important to stress that every case is unique and that past verdicts should not be considered as an indicator for future results, I am proud to say that my success ratio at trial is extremely high.

In 2022 I began teaching in the undergraduate law program at the University of Arizona, an endeavor I enjoy enormously.

My law firm

As a former public defender, I know first hand how difficult it is to juggle a large case load and provide quality representation.

My firm prides itself on maintaining a small case load. My two paralegals (one for family law, one for criminal law) are highly experienced. I manage all my cases personally.

We do not play like many firms where your case can be shuffled around through multiple people.

If you decide to hire me, I am going to be your lawyer.

My Criminal Practice

Over the last few years my practice has become specialized into the area of violent crimes. When it comes to violent offenses (everything from simple assaults to first degree murder), I firmly believe I am one of the best attorneys in Southern Arizona. Moreover, because of my experience with family law and its intersectionality with violent crime, my practice also specifically focuses on Domestic Violence (DV) cases.

Finally, I have maintained and expanded my practice in the area of Expungement’s and Restoration of Rights. I have been doing this type of work for almost 20 years and have meaningfully participated in the expansion of these important rights. (See my Appellate Case State v. Gahary in the results section where I worked to expand the restoration of 2nd Amendment Rights). Over and over again I have seen how people with a prior records struggle in unfair ways. I am very passionate about helping people getting their rights back, getting their record sealed, and getting their lives back!

As a result, I no longer regularly handle DUI and Drug cases (you can't be great at everything!). I will happily refer you (at no cost) to lawyers in town who do excellent work in those areas. Patrick Moran (pmoranlawaz.com) and Greg Stoltz (gstoltzlaw.com) are among those I recommend. To be clear, this is a recommendation with no financial strings attached, I just think they do a great job!

My Family Practice

Criminal law is still my first love! I started doing domestic work because I repeatedly had former clients who were having enormous difficulty not only seeing their children but finding a lawyer who would advocate for them. As a child of divorced parents and a single father myself, its also personal! While I profoundly believe in the importance of fathers' rights, even more so of the importance that each child should enjoy healthy relationships with two parents.

As a criminal defense lawyer you always feel like the deck is stacked against your client and many lawyers become discouraged. Some of us like playing those odds! I am always going to be that “guy” who doesn’t fold and practices law with determination, stubbornness and a relentless attitude. But I am not the “guy” you should hire if you are trying to get back at your ex, or if you simply don’t like him or her. I am the “guy” who will relentlessly work at getting you time with your children if you are trying to be a parent, are willing to evolve and humble yourself for that end.

My firm specializes in Custody cases whether they are “SP” (Special Paternity) or “D” (Dissolution). Although I am well versed in the laws around community property and the allocation of assets, I no longer handle that type of work. I refer all divorces to South & Wright (SouthWrightLaw.com) and to Zelma Letarte (Zelma Letarte Attorney). Again, to be clear, these are recommendations with no financial strings attached: I just think they do a great job.

Orders of Protection

A lot of lawyers hate doing orders of protection hearings! The rules don’t require the prior disclosure of evidence (which means you are walking in a little blind). You don’t get a lot of time to present your case. The burden of proof is low and the stakes are high (loss of gun rights, parenting time). To me, the hearing encapsulates everything that is fun about a trial. I like pressure. I can think on my feet, I can think tactically and my cross examination skills come in handy. Finally, because of the intersectionality with Domestic Violence (DV) and Family Law, these types of hearings fall right into my wheelhouse.

Reasonable fees

Criminal and family cases can be very costly. As I do a lot of the work myself and my law firm is not overstaffed: you don’t have to support large administrative costs.

We do little-to-no advertising. People hire me almost entirely because I have been recommended by a prior client or another attorney. I pass these savings along to my clients.

Before the law

Prior to practicing law, I ran a successful motorcycle export business and traveled the world on motorcycle. I still ride, just not as much as I would want to.

Read my recommendations: 5 Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer

I am dedicated to the defense of my clients.
I make sure they get the best representation
possible, no matter what the circumstances.

Jacob Amaru, Attorney

A Track Record of Results

As mentioned above, it is important to underscore that every case is unique and past verdicts should not be considered as an indicator of future results.

We provide these case summaries for information purpose only.
It is important to our law firm that you gain a good understanding of the types of cases we defend: if you are considering hiring an attorney, you must make an informed decision about what you can expect from us.

Dismissal of Murder Charge

Mr. M. was charged with First Degree Murder. As part of our investigation, we learned that he had not shot the victim. The murder charge was dismissed.

Full Acquittal on Kidnapping-Murder Case

Mr. G was charged with First Degree Murder, Burglary and Kidnapping. He was looking at a life sentence. He had a complete acquittal after a two-week trial.

Reduced Charges, Reduced Sentence

Defendant was originally charged with attempted murder. Charges were reduced, as was imprisonment sentence.

State vs. JG – Gun Rights Restoration

Acceptance of special-action jurisdiction and relief granted.

State vs. J – Gun Rights Restored

Guns Rights restored. State tried to argue he was ineligible.

The Self-Defense Justification under ARS 13-404

Use and limits of the “justification of self-defense” under Arizona Revised Statute 13-404

Go to our case blog >>

Fees

Criminal Defense

For criminal cases I use a flat fee structure. I do work with everyone on payment plans and am flexible to make my representation work for working class people who still need effective representation.

Family Law

I use a combination of hourly fee structures, flat fee structures, payment plans, and hybrid fee structures to find the fee arrangement that will best fit your circumstances and the demands of your case.