Justice and Law Enforcement departments
Are led by independently elected officials. These include:
Provides effective and professional public safety services with integrity, honor, and compassion.
Prosecutes crimes against adults and children and offers extensive services to crime victims.
Serve civil and criminal papers of the Pima Justice Court, Pima County agencies/departments, and those papers received from out of area courts equivalent to the level of our Justice Court.
Serves as the record keeper for the Court, as well as the collector of all fees, fines, bonds and restitution. The Superior Court also oversees Juvenile Court filings such as Adoption, Dependency, Severance and Delinquency Actions.
Handles cases ranging from civil traffic and criminal DUIs to evictions, small claims and protection orders.
Appointed by the Governor and face unopposed, retention votes every four years.
These departments’ authority and responsibilities are defined in state law. The only oversight from the Board of Supervisors and County Administration these departments are subject to is annual budget approval.
Public Defense Services departments
Provide court-authorized legal services to criminally charged defendants. These departments also represent children in dependency cases and provide court-appointed fiduciary services for vulnerable adults. These include:
Represents individuals who cannot afford an attorney and are charged with crimes allegedly occurring in Pima County.
Represents indigent individuals upon court appointment in all felony cases, direct appeal and Rule 32 post-conviction matters, and extradition hearings.
Is committed to providing the most effective legal representation for people with mental illness who face involuntary commitment, guardianship proceedings and dependency actions.
Represents indigent children ages 0-18 in juvenile dependency and severance actions, family law cases, guardianship actions and can act as victim/witness advocates for children in criminal cases.
Assures that adequate legal representation is afforded to all persons eligible for counsel under Arizona law.
Handles criminal and juvenile cases ranging in serious from misdemeanors and minor felonies such as drug possession to capital homicide cases where the State is seeking the death penalty.
Serves as the court-appointed Guardian, Conservator or Estate Administrator (Personal Representative) to protect the legal rights and financial interests of vulnerable adults.