Victim Information FAQs

What is the primary task of Victim Notification and Assistance?

The principal task of the Victim Notification and Assistance staff is to provide victims a measure of control over their victim status. This is done by informing victims of upcoming court dates so that they may appear at court hearings and by supplying victims with practical knowledge about court procedures and their options.

The Prosecutor's Office also offers the presence of a victim assistant at court hearings and refers victims to outside helping agencies whenever it is appropriate.

What is a misdemeanor compromise and how does it apply to me?

A misdemeanor compromise is an agreement between the crime victim and the defendant, or the defendant’s attorney, in which the victim recommends that the charges in which s/he is the victim be dismissed.

This generally occurs after the defendant has reimbursed a victim for any economic loss, or because a victim does not wish to prosecute. A victim’s decision to enter a compromise is strictly voluntary.

The only cases that may be dismissed by this means are assault, trespass, biting dog, threats, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, theft, and certain criminal damage cases.

The victim must sign a misdemeanor compromise before a Notary Public, upon providing picture identification. After a victim completes the misdemeanor compromise paperwork, the prosecutor reviews the severity of the charge(s), and the judge makes the final decision for or against dismissal of the charge(s) against the defendant.

Misdemeanor Compromise Form(PDF, 14KB)

What if I have difficulty getting time off work to attend court proceeding?

The Tucson City Prosecutor’s Office will always issue you a subpoena when your presence in court is mandatory. A subpoena is a court order compelling you to appear in court or face criminal charges.

There will also be many court proceedings where your presence is not mandatory, but you may wish to be present. To make it easier for victims to assert this right to be present, the law has been changed to require larger employers to accommodate their employee’s right to attend court proceedings.

This law applies to you ONLY if you work for an employer who employed fifty (50) or more employees for each working day in each of twenty or more calendar weeks (approximately 3 1/2 months) in the current or preceding calendar year. If your employer fits this description, the following link contains more information.

How do I request restitution?

Go to the Victim Information Center page for restitution information. Victim Information Center

What if the Defendant is placed on Probation?

At the time the judge delivers judgment in the case, the defendant may be placed on one of four types of probation.

  1. Unsupervised Probation

    The defendant was not required to report to any agency, but if the defendant violates any laws or the conditions of probation, the defendant's probation may be revoked and the defendant will become subject to any conditions of probation which were suspended, such as the unserved portion of a jail sentence or fines.

    If you have any questions about Unsupervised Probation contact Victim Notification and Assistance at 791-5483.

  2. Monitored Probation

    The defendant was required to report to either a Tucson City Court (TCC) probation monitor or a Center for Life Skills and Development (CLS) probation monitor.

    If the defendant violates any laws or the conditions of the probation, the defendant's probation may be revoked and the defendant will become subject to any conditions of probation that were suspended, such as the unserved portion of a jail sentence or fines.

    If you have any questions about Monitored Probation call TCC Probation at 791-2581 or CLS at 520-229-6220 (NW Office), 520-885-1738 (East Office), or 520-546-1642 (Central Office).

    If you have any questions about obtaining court-ordered restitution call Tucson City Court at 791-4216.

    TCC Probation website:
    https://www.tucsonaz.gov/courts/supervised-probation

    CLS Probation website:
    http://www.thecentertucson.com/

  3. Pima County Supervised Domestic Violence Probation

    The defendant was required to report to the Pima County Adult Probation Department of the Superior Court within 24 hours of sentencing. If the defendant violates any laws or the conditions of probation, the defendant's probation may be revoked and the defendant will become subject to any conditions of probation that were suspended, such as the unserved portion of a jail sentence or fines. Failure to contact the assigned probation officer is a violation of probation. If you have additional questions, please call Pima County Adult Probation at (520) 740-4800.

I am a victim. How can a victim assistant help me?

Go to the Victim Information Center page to view details about victim services.

I am a Domestic Violence victim. How do I drop the charges against the defendant?

DV victims do not have the authority to file or drop charges. All criminal complaints are prosecuted on behalf of the State of Arizona, not the individual who called the police or the person who may have been harmed by the offender's conduct.

What is Domestic Violence?

The term, “Domestic Violence” (DV) does not necessarily mean that violence occurred in the crime the defendant committed, although the crime may often include violence or the threat of violence.

The term DV means that there is a certain type of relationship between the victim and the defendant that would fall under the definition of domestic violence. It includes any act of certain qualifying crimes (i.e. assaults, disorderly conduct, criminal damage, false imprisonment, harassment, threats and intimidation, telephone threats, to name a few) where there is a certain type of relationship between the victim and the defendant.

This relationship may include marriage, former marriage or of persons residing in or having resided in the same household. It may also include parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and children as well as the defendant and the victim being involved in an intimate partner relationship. They also may be in-laws by marriage but not uncles, aunts, cousins or nieces or nephews (although any of these relationships could qualify if the victim and defendant had lived in the same household).

How can a victim assistant help me?

A victim assistant can help in many ways: explaining the court system, providing information about the current status of the case, providing you with available resources, and accompanying you to court.

Why were DV charges filed?

Police officers are required to make an arrest when called to the scene of domestic violence if they have probable cause to a domestic violence incident has occurred.

Will I have to testify in court?

Once a trial date is set, the victim and other witnesses will be subpoenaed to testify in court. A subpoena requires that you appear in court. If you would like to discuss your case with a victim assistant in the Tucson City Prosecutor’s Office before the trial to discuss the facts and circumstances surrounding the crime, please call 791-5483.

How do I assert my victim rights (Invoking Your Rights)?

You may assert your rights by returning the Invoking Your Rights form/card, or by making a phone call to victim assistance at (520) 791-5483, or by telling the prosecutor in court that you would like to invoke your rights.

What happens if I do not return my form/card to invoke my rights?

You will only receive the initial notification packet and will not receive any further notifications about your case. If you decide at a later time that you would like to receive notification, follow the procedure under Asserting Victim’s Right (Invoking Your Rights) – How do I assert my victim rights? directly above

Can I talk to the assigned prosecutor about my case?

Yes. if you are a victim on a case, refer to the Victim Information Center (Victim Information Center) for information on who to contact in the office.

Contact Us

Contact Information

City Prosecutor's Office
103 East Alameda, Suite 501
Tucson, Arizona 85701

(520) 791-4104
Victim Assistance: (520) 791-5483
prosecutor@tucsonaz.gov
Defense Motions: CPLegal-Motions@tucsonaz.gov
8:00am - 5:00pm