How Justice Services Are Organized Across Arizona

Arizona does not run a single agency called the Department of Justice, the way the federal government does. Instead, legal and public-safety work is divided among the elected Attorney General, fifteen county attorneys, the Department of Public Safety, the courts and several specialized boards. Our directory lists six offices carrying the Department of Justice label in Tucson, Yuma and Phoenix, and they give residents a practical local starting point.

This split confuses many people. A landlord dispute, an identity theft report, a fingerprint card for a school job and a victim notification request each go to a different place. Knowing which body handles your problem saves a wasted trip. That matters in a state where the drive between offices can take several hours.

The Arizona Attorney General and the Statutes Behind the Office

The Arizona Attorney General is elected statewide to a four-year term and leads the Arizona Department of Law. The office's powers and duties are set out in Title 41 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. It represents state agencies in court, handles criminal appeals, prosecutes certain crimes that cross county lines and enforces consumer protection law. Public contact runs mainly through the Phoenix headquarters and a Tucson office.

Consumer complaints are a common reason people call. The Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, beginning at A.R.S. 44-1521, prohibits deceptive and fraudulent practices in the sale of goods and services. The Attorney General is not your personal lawyer, though. The office uses complaints to spot patterns, may try to resolve some of them informally, and brings enforcement actions when a business harms many people.

The office also has a Civil Rights Division. It investigates complaints of discrimination in areas such as employment, housing and public accommodations under the Arizona Civil Rights Act. If your problem involves unfair treatment rather than a purchase gone wrong, ask about that division specifically.

Most criminal prosecution happens locally. Each of Arizona's fifteen counties elects a county attorney, who charges felonies in superior court. City prosecutors handle many misdemeanors in municipal courts. A shoplifting or traffic case in Tucson, for example, usually runs through the Pima County Attorney or the Tucson city prosecutor rather than the Attorney General.

Tucson, Yuma and Phoenix: The Listed Offices in Arizona

The three named listings below show how the offices are spread across the state. Confirm services by phone before you go.

Tucson Arizona Department of Justice, Pima County

This office is at 300 West Congress Street in downtown Tucson, and the listed phone number is 520-770-5100. Downtown is where many county and city government offices are clustered, so you may be able to combine errands in one trip. Tucson has three of our six listings, more than any other city. For the wider picture, see the Pima County page.

Yuma Arizona Department of Justice, Yuma County

The Yuma office is at 98 West 1st Street, and its listed phone number is 928-783-6337. Yuma is the county seat of Yuma County, in the state's southwestern corner near the California and Mexico borders. Two of our listings are in the city. People from smaller communities nearby often travel here for government services, so call ahead to check availability. Details for the area are on the Yuma County page.

Phoenix Arizona Department of Justice, Maricopa County

The Phoenix listing is at 15600 North Black Canyon Highway, phone 623-742-7520. That address is in the far north of the city along the Interstate 17 corridor, not downtown. Phoenix is the state capital, but do not assume this office sits near the Capitol complex. Maricopa County is the state's most populous county, so see the Maricopa County page for the local context.

These names reflect how each office is listed in public records. Because Arizona has no agency with that exact title, ask on the phone which services the counter actually provides.

Metro and Rural Arizona: Why Distance and Jurisdiction Matter

Arizona is the sixth-largest state by area, and its population is concentrated. Maricopa County holds well over half of all residents, and Pima County, anchored by Tucson, is second. In metro Phoenix and Tucson, state, county and city offices sit within a short drive, and many services also run online. Rural counties have fewer offices, longer drives and more reliance on phone and email.

For that reason, a phone call or web form often replaces a visit outside the metro areas. Ask whether your issue can be handled that way before you spend a day on the road.

Jurisdiction also changes with geography. Arizona has twenty-two federally recognized tribes, and tribal police and courts handle many matters on tribal land. Serious crimes there can involve federal prosecutors. If your issue happened on a reservation, ask which agency has authority before you file anything.

Border communities add another layer. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona has offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff and Yuma, and federal agencies are active in Yuma and Pima counties. Federal offices handle federal crimes, such as drug trafficking, smuggling or interstate fraud. They do not take ordinary state complaints, so expect to be redirected if you bring a local dispute to them.

What to Bring and When to Visit an Arizona Justice Office

Preparation shortens most visits. Staff can explain a process and point you to the right form, but they generally cannot give legal advice. Bring the following:

Weekday mornings are usually quieter, and hours can change around holidays, so call first. If you need advice about your rights, the State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service. Legal aid groups such as Community Legal Services and Southern Arizona Legal Aid help eligible low-income residents with civil matters.

Arizona Rules That Shape What These Offices Can Do

A few state rules come up repeatedly, and knowing them helps you ask better questions.

Public records. Arizona's public records law, found in Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, lets any person request records from public bodies without stating a reason. Some records are confidential, such as certain investigative files, and an agency that withholds a record should be able to cite the basis for doing so.

Victims' rights. The Victims' Bill of Rights in the Arizona Constitution gives crime victims the right to be informed, present and heard at key stages of a case. Victim advocates who work with county attorney offices can explain notification and restitution.

Fingerprint clearance cards. The Department of Public Safety issues the cards required for many jobs and licenses involving children, schools, child care or vulnerable adults. These applications go to DPS, not to a local justice office, though staff can often point you toward the process.

Record sealing. Arizona has no broad expungement. Courts can set aside certain convictions after a sentence is completed, and since 2023 eligible records can be sealed under A.R.S. 13-911. Eligibility depends on the offense and waiting periods, so confirm with the court or an attorney.

Start with the office nearest you, ask who has authority over your issue, and write down the name and date of every call. That record helps if you are referred elsewhere.

Department of Justice resources in Arizona include U.S. Attorney's Office district operations, FBI field offices, and the Arizona Attorney General's Office, which enforces state law and consumer protection statutes at the state level while coordinating with federal DOJ components on major investigations.

Department Of Justice locations are available in 3 cities across Arizona. They are spread across 3 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Tucson, Yuma, Phoenix, reflecting federal district headquarters and major cities where DOJ field offices, U.S. Attorneys, and federal law enforcement units are based.

Residents of Arizona who need to engage with the DOJ should identify the correct agency division for their matter — whether it involves civil rights, a federal crime, antitrust, or a FOIA request — before contacting the appropriate office.

Phoenix Arizona Department Of Justice

View Details Call Now (623) 742-7520

Phoenix Arizona Department Of Justice

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Tucson Arizona Department Of Justice

View Details Call Now (520) 770-5100

Tucson Arizona Department Of Justice

Address
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Tucson Arizona Department Of Justice

View Details Call Now (520) 574-6963

Tucson Arizona Department Of Justice

Address
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Tucson Arizona Department Of Justice

View Details Call Now (520) 670-5128

Tucson Arizona Department Of Justice

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Yuma Arizona Department Of Justice

View Details Call Now (928) 783-6337

Yuma Arizona Department Of Justice

Address
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Yuma Arizona Department Of Justice

View Details Call Now (928) 344-9550

Yuma Arizona Department Of Justice

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Residents of Arizona who need to file a civil rights complaint, report federal fraud, or access victim assistance programs should visit justice.gov to identify the appropriate DOJ division or contact the U.S. Attorney's Office for the federal district covering their area.

Browse Department Of Justice by county across Arizona to find the nearest location.

Finding the Right Justice Contact in Tucson, Yuma and Phoenix

The three listed cities cover very different parts of Arizona, and the best way to use them depends on where you live. Tucson residents in Pima County can start with the downtown office on West Congress Street at 520-770-5100. Yuma residents can call 928-783-6337 about the West 1st Street location. In the Phoenix area, the North Black Canyon Highway listing at 623-742-7520 is the contact in our records.

If you live outside those cities, you are not out of luck. Most state-level services in Arizona work by phone, mail or online form, and a county attorney's office exists in all fifteen counties. Start with the county where the event happened, since venue and jurisdiction usually follow that location. The county pages for Pima County, Yuma County and Maricopa County list the offices we have on file.

Before you call, decide what outcome you want: a refund, a protective order, a record correction, a copy of a document or simply information. Staff can direct you faster when the goal is clear. Ask for the name of the person you speak with, note the date and request the next step in writing when possible.

Emergencies never belong at a government counter. In a life-threatening situation, call 911. For non-emergency police matters, use the local police department or county sheriff's office number instead of a justice office listing.

Arizona Department of Justice Questions Answered

No. Arizona's chief legal office is the Attorney General's Office, formally the Arizona Department of Law, and its authority comes from Title 41 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Other justice functions sit with separate bodies. The Department of Public Safety handles state law enforcement and criminal records, the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry runs state prisons, and the courts operate under the Arizona Supreme Court. Our Tucson, Yuma and Phoenix listings use the Department of Justice label, so call first and describe your issue. Staff can tell you whether they handle it or which agency does.

Start with the Attorney General's consumer protection program. It accepts complaints about deceptive sales, scams and unfair business practices under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. Most people file through the office's website, though you can also call or write. Gather receipts, contracts, advertisements and messages first. The office cannot represent you personally or promise a refund, but complaints can lead to informal resolution or enforcement. For a dispute with a licensed contractor, also contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. For smaller money disputes, the justice court in your precinct hears small claims cases up to a set dollar limit.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety issues fingerprint clearance cards. Many jobs involving children, schools, child care or vulnerable adults require one. You apply through DPS, submit your fingerprints and pay the fee posted on the DPS website. Fees change over time, so confirm the current amount there instead of relying on an older figure. Processing times vary, so apply well before a job start date. The local offices in our directory do not issue these cards, but staff can point you to the right agency. Keep your card number and expiration date handy, since employers often ask for both.

Arizona does not offer broad expungement, but two options matter. A court may set aside a conviction after you finish your sentence. That can restore some rights, though the case still appears on your record with a notation. Since 2023, A.R.S. 13-911 also allows eligible records to be sealed through a court petition, which limits public access. Eligibility depends on the offense, the completed sentence and waiting periods. Because errors can delay a petition, speak with the State Bar of Arizona's lawyer referral service or a legal aid provider before you file anything.

Arizona's public records law, in Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, gives any person the right to inspect and request copies of records held by public bodies. You usually do not need to explain why you want them. Send a written request naming the record, the date range and the office involved, which makes it easier to track. Agencies may charge a reasonable copying fee and may withhold records that are confidential by law, such as certain investigative materials. If you are refused, ask for the legal basis in writing, then consider speaking with an attorney about your next step.

The Victims' Bill of Rights, added to the Arizona Constitution in 1990, gives crime victims the right to be treated with fairness and respect. It also covers the right to be informed about the case, to be present at court proceedings and to be heard at sentencing and release hearings. Restitution for economic losses is protected as well. Victim advocates in county attorney offices, including those serving Pima, Yuma and Maricopa counties, can explain notification, help with paperwork and connect you with compensation programs. Ask the prosecuting office handling your case for its victim services contact.