Mark Andersen
N/A
Licensed for 24 years
Law Degree
Awards
Primary Practice Area
Criminal Defense
Language
English
About
I listened to a talk radio personality recently say that he wonders how criminal defense attorneys live with themselves and are happy. "Most the people they represent are guilty and how could they (defense attorneys) feel good about representing such scum?" Below is my response to that question: My career as a criminal defense attorney happened somewhat by accident. I was a prosecutor for 8 years and believed most of those years that I would prosecute for the rest of my life. I loved being a prosecutor and I was good at it. I received meaningful awards, unsolicited letters of support and praise from victims of crime. I felt that it was my calling in life- until I left to enter private practice to try and make a better living for my family and me. I have made a better living in private practice but that’s not why I love being a criminal defense attorney and strongly feel that God has placed this particular call in my path to learn, grow and bless others to do the same in a very meaningful way. What I lacked, however, as a prosecutor was a personification of the Defendant. I definitely had the victims’ interests but the Defendant was a person who I read about what he or she did in a police report. I didn’t read about who they were. It’s very different. The comment that “these people [in the criminal justice system] are scum” is very much an objectification, rather than a personification, of the individual- and for the most part is inaccurate. None of my clients believe that they are scum. In fact many people who have felt that way change their tune real quickly when they come to me to represent them, their sons or daughters or grandchildren for serious mistakes, misjudgments, bad decisions that have led them to my office. Are some people un-deserving of advocacy? Perhaps that’s not for us to judge. I do, however, screen and assess every potential new client who comes in or contacts me. And I make a determination of whether or not that person is someone whom I can help.It is the main job of a criminal defense attorney to be an advocate for the Defendant and that often means personifying the Defendant to a prosecutor. I am fortunate to know how to negotiate and litigate through a very stressful system that is foreign to most people living in our country. That knowledge and skill provides for my family and I am proud of it. I strongly believe in the constitutional principles. I have seen these principles in action when juries have returned "not guilty" verdicts for my clientsAs for the cases that don’t go all of the way to a jury, they are generally a negotiated resolution where prosecutors and defense attorneys wrestle (figuratively) between justice and mercy, strengths and weaknesses of a case. So that’s the long answer to the question. The short answer is: I sleep well. I am happy. I wake up refreshed and excited to face a new day. I hope I have enlightened anyone who wonders at least how this criminal defense attorney lives with himself.
Practices Areas
Criminal Defense
DUI and DWI
Language
English
Contact
The Law Office of Mark J. Andersen, PLC505 W. Ray Road, Suite 2Chandler, AZ, 85225
Office: N/A
Website: N/AReviews
Mark was my lawyer in a legal situation that I was involved Mark was very professional and kept me informed during the whole case I would recommend him to any one that needs legal help.
My daughter attends college in Arizona and was involved in an incident that required legal representation. As I am in another state, I did not have the luxury of a personal recommendation regarding an attorney and was at the mercy of the internet. I spoke with several attorneys and found Mr. Andersen to be very responsive and knowledgeable about what he could accomplish and the estimated costs. As it turns out, Mark was able to facilitate the best possible outcome on behalf of my daughter. He communicated every step of the way, returned all calls and emails promptly and stayed within the parameters of the estimated expenses. In fact, he went over and beyond what was expected in terms of follow-up and support. As a parent, I felt confident that my daughter's case was being handled with the utmost in legal expertise and that undefinable element of caring that makes him an outstanding advocate. I would not hesitate to recommend his services and would confidently endorse him personally and professionally.
Mr. Anderson was exceptional not only from the begining but even after my case had been resolved, he made many points to say that i coukd always reach him for any reason. Mark helped me in ways i know would not have been possible if i had gone another route. I would reccomend him to anyone who is seeking an honest and very hardworking attorney. One of the many things i found ao amazing about him was that in our first meeting, he explained completely how i could go at my case without him, this was very comforting and unexpected. Mr. Anderson is the guy you want if you are looking to have someone to handle everything and keep you stress free. Best decision i have ever made.
I hired Mark to represent me in a criminal case. He kept me informed, and handled my case in a very professional manner. I would recommend Mark to anyone who needs a great lawyer.
Mr. Mark Andersen is an outstanding attorney. I found myself in a very sticky legal situation. I hired a different attorney from Mr. Andersen, and he quickly ran up fees in the thousands of dollars, and we were not any closer to resolving my problem. (in fact, things were WORSE!!!) I then consulted a friend that was a family law attorney, and he referred me to Mark. After our first meeting, I knew that I needed a change. I fired the other "attorney" and hired Mark Andersen immediately. He helped to explain the processes, and guided me to a successful conclusion. I am forever thankful for Mr Mark Andersen. I would recommend him to anybody who is seeking for good, honest legal help.
Mark was my lawyer in a legal situation that I was involved Mark was very professional and kept me informed during the whole case I would recommend him to any one that needs legal help.
My daughter attends college in Arizona and was involved in an incident that required legal representation. As I am in another state, I did not have the luxury of a personal recommendation regarding an attorney and was at the mercy of the internet. I spoke with several attorneys and found Mr. Andersen to be very responsive and knowledgeable about what he could accomplish and the estimated costs. As it turns out, Mark was able to facilitate the best possible outcome on behalf of my daughter. He communicated every step of the way, returned all calls and emails promptly and stayed within the parameters of the estimated expenses. In fact, he went over and beyond what was expected in terms of follow-up and support. As a parent, I felt confident that my daughter's case was being handled with the utmost in legal expertise and that undefinable element of caring that makes him an outstanding advocate. I would not hesitate to recommend his services and would confidently endorse him personally and professionally.
Mr. Anderson was exceptional not only from the begining but even after my case had been resolved, he made many points to say that i coukd always reach him for any reason. Mark helped me in ways i know would not have been possible if i had gone another route. I would reccomend him to anyone who is seeking an honest and very hardworking attorney. One of the many things i found ao amazing about him was that in our first meeting, he explained completely how i could go at my case without him, this was very comforting and unexpected. Mr. Anderson is the guy you want if you are looking to have someone to handle everything and keep you stress free. Best decision i have ever made.
I hired Mark to represent me in a criminal case. He kept me informed, and handled my case in a very professional manner. I would recommend Mark to anyone who needs a great lawyer.
Mr. Mark Andersen is an outstanding attorney. I found myself in a very sticky legal situation. I hired a different attorney from Mr. Andersen, and he quickly ran up fees in the thousands of dollars, and we were not any closer to resolving my problem. (in fact, things were WORSE!!!) I then consulted a friend that was a family law attorney, and he referred me to Mark. After our first meeting, I knew that I needed a change. I fired the other "attorney" and hired Mark Andersen immediately. He helped to explain the processes, and guided me to a successful conclusion. I am forever thankful for Mr Mark Andersen. I would recommend him to anybody who is seeking for good, honest legal help.
Mark was my lawyer in a legal situation that I was involved Mark was very professional and kept me informed during the whole case I would recommend him to any one that needs legal help.
My daughter attends college in Arizona and was involved in an incident that required legal representation. As I am in another state, I did not have the luxury of a personal recommendation regarding an attorney and was at the mercy of the internet. I spoke with several attorneys and found Mr. Andersen to be very responsive and knowledgeable about what he could accomplish and the estimated costs. As it turns out, Mark was able to facilitate the best possible outcome on behalf of my daughter. He communicated every step of the way, returned all calls and emails promptly and stayed within the parameters of the estimated expenses. In fact, he went over and beyond what was expected in terms of follow-up and support. As a parent, I felt confident that my daughter's case was being handled with the utmost in legal expertise and that undefinable element of caring that makes him an outstanding advocate. I would not hesitate to recommend his services and would confidently endorse him personally and professionally.
Mr. Anderson was exceptional not only from the begining but even after my case had been resolved, he made many points to say that i coukd always reach him for any reason. Mark helped me in ways i know would not have been possible if i had gone another route. I would reccomend him to anyone who is seeking an honest and very hardworking attorney. One of the many things i found ao amazing about him was that in our first meeting, he explained completely how i could go at my case without him, this was very comforting and unexpected. Mr. Anderson is the guy you want if you are looking to have someone to handle everything and keep you stress free. Best decision i have ever made.
I hired Mark to represent me in a criminal case. He kept me informed, and handled my case in a very professional manner. I would recommend Mark to anyone who needs a great lawyer.
Mr. Mark Andersen is an outstanding attorney. I found myself in a very sticky legal situation. I hired a different attorney from Mr. Andersen, and he quickly ran up fees in the thousands of dollars, and we were not any closer to resolving my problem. (in fact, things were WORSE!!!) I then consulted a friend that was a family law attorney, and he referred me to Mark. After our first meeting, I knew that I needed a change. I fired the other "attorney" and hired Mark Andersen immediately. He helped to explain the processes, and guided me to a successful conclusion. I am forever thankful for Mr Mark Andersen. I would recommend him to anybody who is seeking for good, honest legal help.
Mark was my lawyer in a legal situation that I was involved Mark was very professional and kept me informed during the whole case I would recommend him to any one that needs legal help.
My daughter attends college in Arizona and was involved in an incident that required legal representation. As I am in another state, I did not have the luxury of a personal recommendation regarding an attorney and was at the mercy of the internet. I spoke with several attorneys and found Mr. Andersen to be very responsive and knowledgeable about what he could accomplish and the estimated costs. As it turns out, Mark was able to facilitate the best possible outcome on behalf of my daughter. He communicated every step of the way, returned all calls and emails promptly and stayed within the parameters of the estimated expenses. In fact, he went over and beyond what was expected in terms of follow-up and support. As a parent, I felt confident that my daughter's case was being handled with the utmost in legal expertise and that undefinable element of caring that makes him an outstanding advocate. I would not hesitate to recommend his services and would confidently endorse him personally and professionally.
Mr. Anderson was exceptional not only from the begining but even after my case had been resolved, he made many points to say that i coukd always reach him for any reason. Mark helped me in ways i know would not have been possible if i had gone another route. I would reccomend him to anyone who is seeking an honest and very hardworking attorney. One of the many things i found ao amazing about him was that in our first meeting, he explained completely how i could go at my case without him, this was very comforting and unexpected. Mr. Anderson is the guy you want if you are looking to have someone to handle everything and keep you stress free. Best decision i have ever made.
I hired Mark to represent me in a criminal case. He kept me informed, and handled my case in a very professional manner. I would recommend Mark to anyone who needs a great lawyer.
Mr. Mark Andersen is an outstanding attorney. I found myself in a very sticky legal situation. I hired a different attorney from Mr. Andersen, and he quickly ran up fees in the thousands of dollars, and we were not any closer to resolving my problem. (in fact, things were WORSE!!!) I then consulted a friend that was a family law attorney, and he referred me to Mark. After our first meeting, I knew that I needed a change. I fired the other "attorney" and hired Mark Andersen immediately. He helped to explain the processes, and guided me to a successful conclusion. I am forever thankful for Mr Mark Andersen. I would recommend him to anybody who is seeking for good, honest legal help.