David Garcia

When it comes to criminal matters, Mr. Garcia is an accomplished insider. Having Mr. Garcia on your criminal case gives you an upper hand in that he has a unique perspective on police procedures and practices. This is because prior to joining the Criminal Defense Team at DM Cantor, Mr. Garcia was an accomplished Detective with the Phoenix Police Department for over two decades. During his tenure with Phoenix Police, Mr. Garcia was assigned to various details including patrol, vehicular crimes, motors, air support, night detectives and internal affairs.

As a Detective with the Department’s Vehicular Crimes Unit, Mr. Garcia investigated serious injury collisions involving fatalities. He was an accredited accident reconstructionist by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. While assigned to the Department’s Motors Unit, Mr. Garcia investigated thousands of collisions. As a Solo Motor Officer, his training and focus also included apprehending and processing individuals suspected of DUI. To that end, Mr. Garcia was HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus) and HGN Instructor trained, a Drug Recognition Expert (IACP #10300) and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor, and a Law Enforcement Phlebotomist. Throughout his tenure with the Motors Unit, Mr. Garcia participated in dozens of DUI Task Forces. Mr. Garcia also routinely appeared in court as a witness for the State in matters related to his traffic enforcement investigations. Mr. Garcia cumulated his law enforcement career at the Department’s Professional Standards Bureau. There, he was tasked with quality assurance of investigations involving officer misconduct.

Prior to his law enforcement career, Mr. Garcia was a Marine Corps Reservist. He served from 1994 through 1999.

Education:

Mr. Garcia attended Law School while working full-time. He graduated from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. After graduating from law school, Mr. Garcia followed his JD studies by obtaining an LL.M from ASU Law as well. The focus of his LL.M is in criminal defense. Mr. Garcia also holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University with an emphasis in community college instruction.

Personal Life:

Mr. Garcia has been married for 21 years to his wife, and he has two sons. In his spare time, Mr. Garcia brainstorms on ways to hold officers accountable for the way they carry out their duties. When not brainstorming, Mr. Garcia enjoys outdoor activities in the wonderful Arizona landscapes.