Victim Services
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office strives to ensure that victims of crime are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity through its Victims Services programs. The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is staffed with victim advocates and legal assistants dedicated to ensuring victims’ rights are upheld and assisting victims of crime in navigating the criminal/juvenile justice system.
Advocate Role
Victim Advocates are trained professionals that assist and support victims of crime.
Victim Rights at Court
Cases that have charges approved, fall into one of two categories - felony or misdemeanor cases.
Explanation of Court Hearings
Adult criminal justice service and juvenile court system.
Restitution
Restitution is paid to a victim after an economic loss incurred.
Victim Compensation Program
A reimbursement basis program that is on-going until the victim no longer needs financial assistance.
Forms & Surveys
Find downloadable forms such as victim impact statements, surveys, and other documents.
Victim Services FAQs
Answers to common victim service questions and concerns.
Investigations & Seizures of Property
When an incident happens and law enforcement becomes involved they document it and potentially investigate.
County Attorney Role
Once the law enforcement agency submits the results of their investigation to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, a Deputy County Attorney (DCA) will review the police report and evidence. The DCA then makes a decision as to whether the case meets the standard required by the “special responsibilities of a prosecutor” ethical rule, which is a “reasonable likelihood of conviction at trial.”
The DCA has several different options at this point. The DCA can decline charges, but request that the law enforcement agency conduct further investigation. This means the DCA submits a request for specific tasks to be completed by the law enforcement agency. Once the requests are completed, the law enforcement agency could resubmit the case to the DCA. How each law enforcement agency prioritizes and completes follow up is at their discretion.
The DCA could also elect to decline or dismiss charges due to their ethical rule. The victim has a right to confer with the DCA prior to any final charging decisions.
Should the DCA decide not to prosecute the case, the listed victim(s) will be advised of their right to speak with the prosecutor prior to the decision becoming final pursuant to ARS 13-4408(B) & 8-389 (Pretrial notice) and 13-4419 & 8-399 (Victim conference with prosecuting attorney).
The victim also has the right to confer with the DCA if a plea agreement is offered pursuant to 13-4419 & 8-399 (Victim conference with prosecuting attorney) and 13-4423 & 8-403 (Plea negotiation proceedings). Although the victim has the right to confer with the DCA prior to any final charging decisions or plea agreements, the victim does not have the authority to direct the prosecution of the case. Decisions regarding the charging of the case, dismissals, diversion, and plea agreements are at the discretion of the assigned DCA.
For more information, please refer to the Victim Services FAQs section.