Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pima County, Arizona

Pima County's criminal-defense practice is shaped by Tucson's position as Arizona's second-largest city and its proximity to the US–Mexico border. The three-tier court structure — Pima County Superior Court (110 W Congress), Pima County Justice Courts, and Tucson City Court (103 E Alameda) — handles cases from city ordinance violations to capital murder.

Pima County Superior Court handles all felony cases and civil cases over $10,000. Felony classification under Arizona's Class 1–6 framework with presumptive/aggravated/mitigated sentencing (ARS § 13-701) — repeat-offender enhancements under § 13-703 can mandate prison even for property crimes. Tucson City Court handles Tucson-issued misdemeanors and city ordinance citations. Justice Courts handle traffic, low-level misdemeanors, and orders of protection.

DUI under ARS § 28-1381 is prosecuted aggressively along the I-10, I-19, and major Tucson arterials. Mandatory minimums apply: 10 days jail for first Standard, escalating to 45 days for Super Extreme (0.20+ BAC). Drug charges under ARS § 13-3408 (narcotics) and § 13-3407 (dangerous drugs) frequently overlap with border-related cases. Prop 207 (2020) legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21+ up to 1 oz.

Pima County is unique for its federal-state crossover. The US District Court of Arizona — Tucson Division (405 W Congress) handles federal cases including 8 USC § 1325 (illegal entry, misdemeanor) and § 1326 (illegal re-entry after deportation, felony) — among the highest-volume federal charges in the district. State criminal convictions can have severe immigration consequences (deportation, inadmissibility) — requiring counsel coordination with the Tucson Immigration Court at 300 W Congress.

For removal defense after criminal convictions, the Padilla v. Kentucky (US Supreme Court 2010) duty applies — criminal defense counsel must advise non-citizen defendants about immigration consequences of plea agreements. Tucson's non-citizen population makes this analysis routine, not exceptional.

Set-aside petitions under ARS § 13-905 (AZ's expungement equivalent) are commonly filed for old convictions affecting employment, professional licensing, or immigration status. Set-asides don't erase the conviction but dismiss the case and restore civil rights.

→ Read the full Arizona criminal defense guide for statute-cited coverage of DUI, drug crimes, felony sentencing, misdemeanors, federal defense, set-asides, juvenile, and probation.