Facing a criminal charge in Arizona

Bond and pretrial release in Arizona

Article II Section 22 of the Arizona Constitution, as amended, makes bailable offenses the general rule but lists categories that are not bailable (including certain serious felonies and offenses by persons in the country unlawfully) when proof is evident or presumption great. Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 7.2 establishes a presumption in favor of release on own recognizance and lists conditions a judge may impose under Rule 7.3, including secured and unsecured appearance bonds and third-party release. Rule 7.4 governs review of release conditions and authorizes a defendant to seek modification or reduction at any time. The 2022 voter-approved Proposition 100 successor provisions remain in force and govern non-bailable offense categories.

Bond amounts, conditions, and timelines vary by county and judge. Confirm with counsel or the court.

Criminal defense attorneys serving Arizona

Our directory is still building in Arizona. Public-defender intake is available now.

Record clearing in Arizona

Arizona provides record sealing under A.R.S. 13-911 (effective January 2023) and conviction set-aside under A.R.S. 13-905. The sealing statute creates a petition-based pathway that, when granted, restricts public access to arrest, charge, and conviction records. The statute provides waiting periods tied to offense class, with longer waits for higher-class felonies, and excludes dangerous offenses, serious sex offenses, and offenses involving the infliction of serious physical injury. The petition is filed in the superior court of the county of conviction.

Eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition vs. automatic pathway depend on the conviction class and the date of the offense. Confirm with counsel or the court record.

Public defender intake in Arizona

Maricopa County Public Defender's Office serves STATEWIDE County. Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. We do not refer you to a specific public defender and we do not represent you.

Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. LawSensai does not refer you to a public defender and does not represent you. This packet is a courtesy summary you can share with your public defender or their intake staff. You remain responsible for applying to the court for appointed counsel.