Arizona

The state of Arizona delegates to its local governments the responsibility for funding and administering indigent defense services in adult criminal trials. The state has no entity to exercise oversight of the delivery of these services.

The state of Arizona delegates to its local governments the responsibility for funding and administering indigent defense services for adult criminal cases in its appellate courts. The state has no entity to exercise oversight of the delivery of these services.

  • 15 Counties Locally Funded

  • 15 Counties Locally Administered

  • 15 Counties with No State Oversight

  • 15 Counties Locally Funded

  • 15 Counties Locally Administered

  • 15 Counties with No State Oversight

Every county in Arizona is responsible for determining how it funds and administers indigent defense services. Most counties have established one or more public defender offices, while the more rural counties rely on contracts with private attorneys. Arizona’s two biggest cities—Phoenix and Tucson—have their own indigent defense systems, which the cities fund and administer themselves.

The state of Arizona does not have a state commission or agency responsible for providing oversight of indigent defense.

Every county in Arizona is responsible for determining how it funds and administers indigent defense services in adult appeals. Most counties have established one or more public defender offices, while the more rural counties rely on contracts with private attorneys.

The state of Arizona does not have a state commission or agency responsible for providing oversight of indigent defense. The supreme court sets the compensation rate for private attorneys appointed on appeals.

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Questions Open/Close

What rules must counties follow when establishing a public defender office?

Does a public defender association fill any obligations avoided by the state?

Does the state provide any funding for indigent defense?