Prosecution Division - FAQs
- What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
- Where is a felony tried?
- How can I contact the prosecutor assigned to my case?
- Where can I obtain a police report?
- Where can I obtain an accident report?
- I just received a DUI (Driving under the Influence) charge. What happens now?
- Do I have to attend court?
- What should I wear to Court?
- I missed my court date and I think I have a warrant out for my arrest. Whom do I call?
- What happens at an arraignment?
- What happens at a pretrial?
- What is a civil compromise and/or a misdemeanor compromise?
- What is the Diversion Program?
- What diversion programs are offered through the Oro Valley Prosecutor’s Office?
- Can I attend traffic school?
- How do I know if my license is suspended?
- The neighbor’s dog(s) is constantly barking. Whom do I call?
- The neighbors are noisy and play loud music. Whom do I call?
- Where can I get help/advice if I or someone I know is a victim of a family or domestic violence dispute?
- Where can I call for counseling concerning substance abuse?
- Where do I report consumer fraud?
- Where can I report identity theft?
- Where can I report child abuse or neglect?
- What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
- Where is a felony tried?
- How can I contact the prosecutor assigned to my case?
- Where can I obtain a police report?
- Where can I obtain an accident report?
- I just received a DUI (Driving under the Influence) charge. What happens now?
- Do I have to attend court?
- What should I wear to Court?
- I missed my court date and I think I have a warrant out for my arrest. Whom do I call?
- What happens at an arraignment?
- What happens at a pretrial?
- What is a civil compromise and/or a misdemeanor compromise?
- What is the Diversion Program?
- Attend and successfully complete all counseling and/or conditions of probation assigned.
- Take responsibility for actions by entering a guilty plea.
- Make full restitution to the victim within required time.
- Pay all fees associated with the program.
- What diversion programs are offered through the Oro Valley Prosecutor’s Office?
- Can I attend traffic school?
- How do I know if my license is suspended?
- The neighbor’s dog(s) is constantly barking. Whom do I call?
- The neighbors are noisy and play loud music. Whom do I call?
- Where can I get help/advice if I, or someone I know, is a victim of a family or domestic violence dispute?
- Where can I call for counseling concerning substance abuse?
- Where do I report consumer fraud?
- Where can I report identity theft?
- Where can I report child abuse or neglect?
A misdemeanor is a minor crime punishable by a fine and no more than six months in jail. A felony is a serious crime that carries a prison sentence in the State Department of Corrections often for an extended period of time.
Felonies are tried in the Pima County Superior Court by the Pima County Attorney’s Office. The Oro Valley Prosecutor’s Office does not handle felony cases. We are strictly a misdemeanor court.
If you are the defendant and you have not hired an attorney, then you are welcome to contact the Oro Valley Prosecutor’s office at 520-229-4760 and ask to speak to the prosecutor assigned to your case. If you have hired a defense attorney, please direct all your questions for the prosecutor through your attorney. The prosecutors cannot speak with you after you have hired an attorney.
If you are the victim or witness in a case you may call the Oro Valley Prosecutor’s Office at 520-229-4760 and you will be directed to the Senior Paralegal or to the Prosecutor assigned to the case. Please provide us with the defendant’s name so that we are prepared to discuss the case with you. If you are a victim and you have hired an attorney please have your attorney speak with our office.
If you are the defendant and you have hired an attorney, then your attorney is provided with a copy of the police report from our office. Please contact your attorney should you wish to review your report.
If you personally would like to purchase a copy of your report, you may contact the Oro Valley Police Department Records Division and arrange to pick up a police report from them. For more information please see the Oro Valley Police Department Records Section.
The Oro Valley Police Department now offers accident reports online. Please visit their accident report webpage.
First you will receive a court date (either on your citation or from the jail). This is your first appearance (arraignment) and you must attend this court date. You will not be receiving a plea offer until our office has received your lab report from Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab. This lab report can take up to six to eight weeks, from the day of your arrest, for our office to receive. The goal of this office is to have the report prior to your pretrial conference, which will be scheduled after your arraignment. If you have any questions about the penalties and fines of a DUI conviction please visit the DUI Law website for up-to-date info regarding DUI penalties in the State of Arizona.
Also please visit the Arizona Revised Statutes website for a complete definition of the DUI charges.
If you are the defendant, you must attend all court appearances, unless the Court or your attorney has excused you. If you find that you cannot appear on your scheduled court date (and you are without an attorney) then you have to file a motion to continue with the Court. The Oro Valley Magistrate Court offers a copy of the Motion to Continue form online, or you can contact the Oro Valley Magistrate court via phone, fax or mail.
Magistrate Court
Town of Oro Valley
11000 North La Canada Drive
Oro Valley, AZ 85737
(520) 229-4780
(520) 229-4789 (fax)
Your appearance in court is very important and you should come dressed as you would for a job interview (business casual is suggested). You should not wear tank tops, t-shirts with rude or offensive language or an overly revealing attire.
Please contact the Oro Valley Magistrate Court at 520-229-4780.
This is the first appearance a defendant makes in court. The Judge will explain to the defendant what the charge is, explain the possible penalties, and ask if he/she pleads guilty or not guilty.
The prosecutor, defendant and the defendant’s attorney (if the defendant has an attorney), will meet in front of the Judge to discuss available options for your case (i.e. plea offer, trial, motions hearing or dismissal if appropriate).
A misdemeanor compromise is a method used to get a case dismissed. Many cases with a victim can be settled in this manner. However, the prosecutor must approve all misdemeanor compromises in the following cases: Domestic Violence, Biting Animal, Disorderly Conduct, Assault, and any cases involving weapons and/or victims.
A civil compromise works much the same way the misdemeanor compromise does, only that it’s restricted to civil traffic violations involving a victim, i.e. a traffic accident.
Note to the victim: signing a compromise form, be it a misdemeanor or a civil compromise form, is completely voluntary. You are not required to sign this form.
The Oro Valley Diversion Program, in collaboration with Southwest Intervention Services (SIS), consists of a number of programs offered to eligible defendants to divert them from prosecution. Requirements for the program are, but are not limited to:
Youth Alcohol Diversion – this program is available through the court and often requires an Alternate Thinking Strategy (ATS) class. Please contact the court for details at (520) 229-4780.
Depending on your traffic ticket and if you have taken the class within the last two years, will effect the answer to this question. Please visit the Oro Valley Magistrate Court Defensive Driving Page for more information.
You need to contact the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles at:
Tucson (520) 629-9808
Phoenix (602) 255-0072
Email mvdinfo@azdot.gov
Please contact the Oro Valley Police Department at (520) 229-4900 to file a report.
Please contact the Oro Valley Police Department at (520) 229-4900 to file a report.
There are several organizations that exist to provide help and advice. Here is a list of organizations and their phone numbers:
| Agency | Phone | Website |
| AVA Shelter | (520) 795-4880 | |
| Angel Children’s Shelter | (520) 326-7135 | |
| Casa Amparo | (520) 746-1501 | |
| Lispsey Prevention Center | (520) 795-8001 | |
| Pima County Victim/Witness Program | (520) 740-5525 | www.pcao.pima.gov/vicwit.htm |
|
State of Arizona Crime Victim Services |
www.azvictims.com/domestic/services.asp | |
| Tucson Center for Women and Children | (520) 795-4266 | http://www.tucsoncenters.com/ |
| Tucson Rape Crisis | (520) 327-7273 | |
| EMERGE Center Against Domestic Abuse |
(520) 795-4266 |
http://www.emergecenter.org |
| Wingspan (gay and lesbian organization) | (520) 624-1779 | www.wingspan.org |
| Help-on-Call 24 hour crisis line | (520) 323-9373 |
If you believe you, or someone you know, has a substance abuse problem, counseling may be needed. There are many agencies that are willing to help. Please contact any of the hotline numbers listed below:
| (520)264-4183 | Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) |
| (800) 229-6310 | |
| (800) 299-6317 | |
| (800)265-7142 | |
| (800)258-7780 | |
| (800)759-2793 | 24 hour helpline and treatment |
You can contact the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Tucson Office
Office of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Information and Complaints
400 West Congress
South Building, Suite 315
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 628-6504 or (800) 352-8431
Phoenix Office
Office of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Information and Complaints
1275 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-5763 or (800) 352-8431
For more information on the Attorney General’s program for consumer fraud please visit their website at:
http://www.azag.gov/consumer/complaintformintro.html
You can contact the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Tucson Office
Office of the Attorney General400 West Congress
South Building, Suite 315
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 628-6504 or (800) 352-8431
Phoenix Office
Office of the Attorney General1275 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-5763 or (800) 352-8431
For more information on the Attorney General’s program for identity theft please visit their website at:
http://www.azag.gov/cybercrime/ID_Theft.html
If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child, it needs to be reported to Arizona Child Protective Services at:
(888) 767-2445
Website:Child Protective Services