The Criminal Division prosecutes felonies committed by adults in Pima County, all offenses committed by people under 18 (juveniles) within the County, and misdemeanor offenses committed outside of city limits. The Mission of the Criminal Division is to promote public safety by:
The County Attorney is dedicated to the empowerment of victims; data-driven, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to problems; and meaningful collaboration with our community partners.
The goal of the Community Protection Bureau (CPB) is to implement an Intelligence–Driven Prosecution model aimed at people in our community who have committed repetitive offenses. CPB is divided into four geographic teams corresponding to the Tucson Police Department and the Pima County Sheriff’s neighborhood crimes divisions to better enable the teams to coordinate with law enforcement. Each team meets weekly with TPD’s corresponding divisions to share information and find out who is driving crime in that division. CPB attorneys prosecute property, narcotics, and violent offenses, focusing their efforts on those individuals who victimize entire neighborhoods through a pattern of ongoing, destructive, criminal behavior. This unit also prosecutes felony offenses committed using a motor vehicle, including homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated DUI, endangerment, child abuse, felony fleeing, leaving the scene of a collision, and criminal damage. CPB attorneys become experts in toxicology, collision analysis, and search-and-seizure issues unique to this context.
This unit investigates, prosecutes, and helps prevent various types of fraud, including wage theft, financial crimes, insurance & banking, environmental and housing, and even government and Medical fraud cases. PCAO will review your complaints (which you can submit by using the Consumer Fraud Complaint Form) in collaboration with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to help protect your finances. The Fraud Unit is also available to help educate your organization or neighborhood association on how to avoid being a victim of fraud. Email fraud@pcao.pima.gov to arrange a presentation.
This unit prosecutes minors accused of criminal offenses. The offenses handled by the Juvenile Unit range from misdemeanor charges to serious felonies, including homicide, sex offenses, aggravated assaults, and possession of illegal drugs. The juvenile justice system is more geared towards rehabilitation and support of the juvenile accused, so less serious cases may be referred to a number of diversion programs, including Community Justice Boards. This unit also assists with uncontested adoptions. For more information about adoption services, click here. Juvenile prosecutors also work closely with the community by participating in numerous committees and with local schools by attending monthly meetings of the School Multi-Agency Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.).
CSIU’s mission is to review legitimate claims of innocence by people who have been convicted by PCAO and/or believe they have received illegal sentences. The CSIU supervisor reviews submissions and leads all re-investigations of cases that present a credible claim of innocence or illegal sentencing.
If you are a reporter looking to gather general information for a story, on deadline or for background, email media@pcao.pima.gov or call Shawndrea Thomas, (520) 724-5738.
