Criminal Defense in Arizona

Arizona classifies felonies into six classes and misdemeanors into three classes. Defense costs range $2,000-$5,000 for misdemeanors to $8,000-$45,000 for felonies. Arizona has some of the toughest mandatory minimum sentences in the nation, particularly for weapons offenses (ARS 13-3102) and repeat offenders. Proposition 200 (2000) mandates probation for first and second-time personal drug possession charges rather than prison. Maricopa County has the largest county jail system in the state. Arizona abolished parole in 1994 — defendants must serve 85% of their sentence for serious offenses. The state has active drug courts and veterans treatment courts.