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Michael Alarid III
About Michael
Biography
Michael Alarid, III is a preeminent criminal defense attorney in the State of Arizona. His passion for criminal defense started when he was a young child listening to his father's stories about representing his criminal clients in New Mexico. After graduating the University of New Mexico, Mr. Alarid moved to Arizona to attend law school at Arizona State University. While in law school Mr. Alarid won his first felony jury trial in the public defender clinic where he appeared in court as a Rule 38 certified student attorney. At law school graduation, Mr. Alarid received the award for Distinguished Achievement in the Art and Science of Advocacy from The International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
After graduating from law school at ASU, Mr. Alarid went to work for one of the most distinguished boutique criminal defense firms in Arizona. During that time Mr. Alarid cut his teeth handling complex high-profile cases, including arguing before the Arizona Supreme Court twice within the first five years of his career—an opportunity most lawyers never experience in an entire career. In one of those cases, Mr. Alarid successfully persuaded the Arizona Supreme Court to change the law on marijuana DUIs statewide.
After five years at the boutique law firm, Mr. Alarid joined one of the largest criminal defense firms in Arizona. During his seven years as a trial attorney at the firm, Mr. Alarid continued to handle complex high-profile cases. Mr. Alarid gained invaluable experience handling hundreds of criminal cases of all types, taking dozens of cases, both misdemeanor and felony, to verdict at a jury trial. Mr. Alarid handles every aspect of criminal defense including pre-charge investigations, discovery review, witness interviews, pretrial motions, plea negotiations, professional board investigations and hearings, evidentiary hearings of all types, bench trials, jury trials, and state and federal appeals. He has handled every type of misdemeanor and felony criminal case including traffic offenses, DUI, theft, assault, domestic violence, drug cases, gun cases, vehicular crimes, sex crimes, white collar crimes, and homicides. Mr. Alarid has practiced in courts all across the state of Arizona including city courts, county courts, superior courts, the lower court of appeals, the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court, and U.S. District Court of Arizona.
Mr. Alarid is Board Certified in DUI Defense Law by the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), the only DUI board certification recognized by the American Bar Association. He is 1 of only 5 attorneys in the State of Arizona who have passed the NCDD Board Certification Examination. He was also selected to National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 for 2020. Mr. Alarid is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ).
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Arizona for 17 years
State: Arizona
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
The Law Office of Michael Alarid III PLLC
20 E Thomas, Suite 2200, Phoenix, AZ, 85012
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Michael Alarid III's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
40 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 26 - 30 of 40 reviews
Posted by Duffy | June 22, 2021 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Probation Violation / Extradition
My wife had a DWI case from mid 2000's. Arizona issued a warrant even though she had been paying on the restitution. Michael worked with us through the extradition process back to Arizona and my wife was able to be released up arrival back in Arizona. Michael continued to work with the court to get t...
Posted by Anthony | June 15, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Expungement
Rights Restoration
I've been trying for years to get my conviction set aside. Micheal helped me get it done! Thank you so much!
Posted by Jonathan Madden | November 22, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellence Achieved
I desire to express to you how excellent and upstanding Michael Alarid III is in his duties as a lawyer. His positive nature and his attentiveness to your concerns and fears of what you are facing when going through the legal system gave me hope for a positive outcome. He has the ability to convey yo...
Posted by Hector | November 12, 2020 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
DUI reduced to reckless
Michael Alarid worked with me all the way through my DUI case with the utmost confidence that we would come out with the best possible outcome. He delivered just that, my DUI was dropped down to a reckless driving charge, while avoiding the interlock and a DMV suspension. I would recommend going...
Posted by Amy | September 22, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Responsive and pleasant to work with
We definitely recommend. Michael listened to my issue and took care of getting it resolved right away. His assistant and receptionist were respectful and helpful. These traits are necessary to me in time of need and stress. I hope we never need his services again, but I wouldn’t hesitate to call if ...
Michael Alarid III's Lawyer Endorsements
"Michael is diligent, creative, prepared, and the epitome of a zealous advocate. His professionalism and intelligence are well-respected in the legal community. I highly endorse this lawyer."
"Michael is one of if not the best criminal defense lawyer's in Arizona. His attention to detail and tenacity in the courtroom is what every prospective client ultimately needs. Too many good things to say about this guy!"
"Michael possesses one of the greatest legal minds I have encountered in my years of practice. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"Michael Alarid is a highly skilled attorney. Not only is he compassionate and aggressive, but he is highly intelligent and well versed in criminal defense. Michael goes above and beyond to secure the best results for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a highly experienced and aggressive criminal law attorney. He will be with you in your corner every step of the way."
"I strongly endorse this lawyer. Michael and I worked together and his passion and knowledge are exceptional. He is a great lawyer! I highly recommend him."
"I have known Attorney Michael Alarid III for many years. I have referred several clients in need of a criminal defense attorney to Michael and will continue to do so. I have full trust and confidence in Michael’s work, and always feel certain that the clients referred to him will be well taken care of."
"Michael is an excellent criminal defense attorney. He is an outstanding advocate for his clients and works tirelessly to get the best outcome. I strongly endorse this attorney."
"Michael is another attorney who is an absolute master in the DUI world. Michael knows the statutes and case-law inside and out - and is able to use this vast knowledge to the benefit of his Clients. If you've been accused of a DUI - or ANY crime for that matter then Mr. Alarid is an excellent attorney to have in your corner."
"I have worked alongside Mr. Alarid for the past five years. In that time I have worked on numerous major felonies, including homicides, serious sex cases and other cases. Mr. Alarid brings his sharp intellect and his intense focus to bear on each case. Mr. Alarid is a hard working and dedicated defense attorney whom I am proud to have on our team."
"Michael is a fantastic advocate who goes above and beyond for his clients. He will be sure to exhaust all legal and factual issues on the case. In fact, he has secured industry changing victories on complex issues like medical marijuana and dangerous weapon/instrument crimes at the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. I would recommend Michael to anyone."
"Michael is an excellent, hard-working attorney, who gets excellent results for his clients in the face of difficult odds. I strongly endorse him."
"Michael is an excellent criminal defense litigator. He is extremely skilled in advocating complex areas of the law both in the trial setting and in written briefs. I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2021
Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers
2020
Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers
2008
Distinguished achievement in the art and science of advocacy, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Work Experience
2020 - Present
Owner | Attorney at Law, The Law Office of Michael Alarid III PLLC
2013 - 2020
Attorney, Law Offices Of David Michael Cantor
2008 - 2013
Attorney, Kimerer & Derrick
Associations
2023 - Present
Arizona State BarBoard Certified Specialist in Criminal Law
2020 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseBoard Certified in DUI Defense Law
2020 - Present
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal JusticeMember
2020 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State ex rel. Montgomery v. Brain, 1 CA-SA 17-0186, 2018 WL 2348473 (App. May 24, 2018)
I argued successfully before the Arizona Court of Appeals to uphold the trial court's dismissal of the allegation of dangerousness against my client.
State ex rel. Montgomery v. Harris, 234 Ariz. 343, 322 P.3d 160 (2014)
I argued successfully to the Arizona Supreme Court to change the way the DUI for drugs statute was interpreted.
Education
2008
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor Colle
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
University of New Mexico
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
12th Annual APDA Conference
DUI Marijuana Issues: Metabolites and the Supreme Court
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers