Research & Resource Library

Comprehensive primer on criminal procedure stages (arrest, preliminary hearings, arraignment, trial), constitutional rights including Sixth Amendment right to counsel, burden of proof, and common legal defenses.

Step-by-step walkthrough of how a criminal case moves through Arizona courts: arrest, initial appearance, preliminary hearing, arraignment, trial, jury instructions, deliberations, verdict, sentencing, and appeals.

Official Arizona judiciary guide explaining criminal case flows, roles of prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and juries. Explains sentencing ranges established by the Legislature and options including probation, fines, imprisonment, and the death penalty.

Explains Arizona's court hierarchy from municipal courts (minor crimes, petty offenses, misdemeanors) up through justice of the peace courts, superior court, and the Court of Appeals. Useful for understanding jurisdictional boundaries.

300+ page desk reference covering criminal procedure, alternative satisfaction of fines and costs, payment plans, entry of pleas, and procedural safeguards for defendants unable to pay. Transferable principles for Arizona fines-and-fees reform.

Detailed guide covering pretrial proceedings, discovery and Brady obligations, motions practice, plea negotiations, trial phases, jury selection, burden of proof, and sentencing. Defense-side perspective for reformers.

The seminal police reform platform with ten evidence-based policy areas: end broken windows policing, community oversight, limit use of force, independent investigations, community representation, body cameras (with research caveats), training, end policing for profit, demilitarization, and fair police contracts. Includes model policy language.

Eight policies police departments can implement immediately: ban chokeholds, require de-escalation, require warnings before deadly force, exhaust alternatives, duty to intervene, ban shooting at moving vehicles, use-of-force continuum, comprehensive reporting including gun-pointing.

Curated research on arrests, traffic stops, law enforcement interactions, wrongful convictions, use of force, forfeiture, and police misconduct. Includes studies on confirmation bias, network exposure and excessive force, and revenue-raising through forfeiture.

Beta-release model use-of-force policy developed by lawyers, former prosecutors, and experts synthesizing best practices from departments nationwide. Arizona-specific application potential.

Tracks civil consent decrees and settlements between DOJ and local/state policing entities. Provides location maps, timelines, and descriptions of federal interventions in comparable jurisdictions.

New tool defining, measuring, and standardizing characteristics of better policing across 100 metrics in four categories: Sound, Accountable, Just, and Effective. Pilot department: Tucson, AZ Police Department.

National hub for training and technical assistance fostering peer intervention among officers. Training comes at no cost. Relevant for Arizona departments seeking to build accountability cultures.

Interactive dashboards covering arrests, citations, calls for service, crime maps, officer-involved shooting data, response to resistance (use of force), uniform crime reporting, and body-worn camera program. Raw data available for download.

Use of Force incident and demographic charts (2018-February 2025) with full dataset on the city's Open Data Portal. Includes separate dashboards for Officer-Involved Shootings and Officer Pointed Gun at Person.

200+ page report documenting reforms: revised UOF policy with three levels, duty to intervene, body-worn camera deployment (2022), Critical Incident Transparency Protocol, CompStat adoption (August 2023), Community Advisory Board Summit.

Use of Force incidents from January 2018 through February 17, 2025. Includes demographic information for officers and individuals. All incidents have gone through review and are finalized. Updated following Operations Order 1.5 release.

Ready-to-adapt model legislation requiring prosecutors to collect and report: demographics of charged individuals, charge descriptions, initial/modified charges, bail type/amount, plea offers, pretrial detention dates, case disposition, and sentence details. Requires written policies on bail, sentencing, plea bargaining, discovery, and diversion. Includes community advisory board.

October 2023 white paper on data use in prosecutor offices. Covers external transparency (building trust, showcasing policy successes) and internal management. Discusses metrics for deflections, diversions, racial/ethnic demographics, and prison sentence lengths.

Public-facing dashboard showing total cases referred to MCAO over past three years, case outcomes, and prosecution metrics. Praised as a "first step" by advocates but noted as needing more detailed information on dispositions and sentence outcomes.

Resources including: "Choosing Resistance" guide for local action; Qualified Immunity Fact Sheet (court-created doctrine shielding officers from civil accountability); Absolute Immunity for Prosecutors Fact Sheet (prosecutors shielded from civil lawsuits for misconduct including withholding evidence of innocence).

Explains how absolute immunity shields prosecutors from civil lawsuits for misconduct tied to their courtroom role—even when intentionally violating constitutional rights, withholding exculpatory evidence, or fabricating evidence. Outlines needed policy reforms.

Official Arizona criminal code including: Chapter 5 (Responsibility/insanity), Chapter 6 (Classification of Offenses), Chapter 7 (Sentencing and Imprisonment), Chapter 7.1 (Capital Sentencing). Key statutes: 13-601 (classification), 13-702 (first-time offenders), 13-703 (repetitive offenders), 13-704 (dangerous offenders), 13-705 (dangerous crimes against children).

Comprehensive felony sentencing chart for Class 2 through Class 6 felonies covering non-dangerous offenses, non-dangerous repetitive offenses (Category 1/2/3 repeat offenders), and dangerous repetitive offenses. Explains mitigated, minimum, presumptive, maximum, and aggravated sentences.

Official Arizona judiciary sentencing charts. The most updated version of ranges and associated penalties effective through 2026. Includes lifetime probation provisions, sexual assault sentencing under A.R.S. § 13-1406, and community restitution alternatives to financial penalties.

Clear explanation of Arizona's six felony classes with presumptive sentences: Class 2 = 5 years; Class 3 = 3.5 years; Class 4 = 2.5 years; Class 5 = 2 years; Class 6 = 1 year. Explains aggravating and mitigating factors and charge reduction options.

Detailed breakdown of each felony class with examples, sentencing ranges, and consequences. Covers Class 6 charge reduction under A.R.S. 13-604, alternative sentencing (probation, deferred sentencing, diversion, treatment), and long-term consequences including civil rights and housing impacts.

The ALI's Model Penal Code for Criminal Sentencing (MPCS) approved in 2017. Includes recommendations for: prison-diversion programs for low-risk defendants; exemptions from mandatory minimums for juveniles tried as adults; "extraordinary departure power" for courts; judicial "second look" at sentences after 15 years; power to override collateral consequences.

Scholarly analysis of the MPCS approach to limiting mass incarceration. Discusses postrelease supervision limitations (no longer than 5 years for felonies, 1 year for misdemeanors), conditions that cannot place "unreasonable burden" on reintegration, and judicial reexamination after 15 years.

Landmark 2022 ASU article by Cassia Spohn. Identifies four key drivers of Arizona's high incarceration rate: Proposition 301 (prison for drug possession), repetitive offender enhancements, habitual offender provisions (life without parole), and 85% truth-in-sentencing. Recommendations include reducing mandatory enhancements and repealing Prop 301 for possession.

Key Arizona statistics: 4th highest incarceration rate; $1.1 billion annual corrections spending; 42,000+ incarcerated; 26% nonviolent; 21% drug offenders. Documents FAMM's advocacy for SB 1334 (repetitive offender reform, vetoed by Gov. Ducey).

Summary of Arizona's Just Sentencing Act (HB 2270, Blackman). Addresses Arizona's mandatory minimums and repetitive offender sentencing enhancements. Useful model for understanding sentencing reform legislation structure.

Arizona's HB 2720 (2025) ended the crack-cocaine sentencing disparity. Passed unanimously and signed by Gov. Hobbs. Sponsored by Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R). Arizona became the 46th state to address crack/powder disparities. Demonstrates bipartisan sentencing reform success.

2026 Sentencing Project report on how criminal records increase prison terms and racial injustice. Criminal records account for major portions of lengthy sentences (63% Maryland, 30% Minnesota, 45% Pennsylvania, 41% Washington). For drug and property crimes in Maryland with records, 97% and 93% of lengthy sentence duration attributable to criminal record rather than current conviction.

2025 article exploring comparative sentencing reform across states. Discusses state "laboratories" of reform, Minnesota's sentencing guidelines commission model, and credit-based release systems. Identifies only six states with generous mandatory release dates based on good-time credits.

BJS collection of individual-level records on prison admissions and releases including sentence length, time served, offense, demographic characteristics, and parole status. Essential for comparing Arizona sentence lengths and time-served patterns to national norms.

Official monthly statistical snapshots from Arizona Department of Corrections. Includes total prison population, demographics by facility/age/ethnicity, admissions by type (new commitments, probation revocations, supervision violators), releases, operating capacity, restrictive housing stats, health services, community reentry metrics, and work program hours.

10-year recidivism analysis. FY 2024 releases: 20.7% returned within one year. Three-year return rate: 31.8% (FY 2022). Notes women had lower return rates than men; technical violations increasing post-COVID toward pre-2020 levels.

Detailed per-diem and annual operating costs by facility, custody level, function, and object. Average annual cost per incarcerated person: $27,800 (2020). Includes expenditure detail by function (security, health services, programs, administration) and by object (personnel, operating expenses).

Comprehensive 2023 fiscal impact analysis from Rounds Consulting/FWD.us. Three scenarios modeled over 10 years. Most likely: $1.4 billion in prison savings + $107 million in tax revenues = $1.5 billion total fiscal benefit. Annual savings reach $200M by year 10.

FWD.us analysis: Arizona has 4th highest imprisonment rate in the US. 1 in 13 Arizonans (357,000 people) has a current or prior felony conviction. Corrections spending increased $280 million since 2000; FY 2019 budget exceeded $1 billion. 32 states reduced both crime and imprisonment in the past decade—Arizona was not among them.

ASU Morrison Institute analysis. Arizona DOC budget ~$1 billion annually (11% of state budget, FY2016). Maricopa County jails: average daily population 8,314; 100,000+ cycle through annually. Jail budget increased 87% from 2004-2015. Private prisons account for 15% of Arizona prison population.

Critical analysis from Just Communities Arizona. ADCRR has 3rd largest state agency budget; spending increased fivefold since 1990. Rehabilitation makes up less than 2% of $1.2B budget. Security makes up 45.8%. Recidivism ~50%; just 2% receiving substance abuse treatment. Documents infrastructure failures including malfunctioning door locks since 2017 and inoperable fire alarms for over a decade.

Federal resource center providing training and publications on corrections administration: prison and jail administration, restrictive housing management, suicide prevention, "Thinking for a Change" cognitive behavioral program, victim services, and reentry. Offers e-courses and in-person training.

300+ page comprehensive desk reference for jail administrators. Covers administration, facilities, staffing, training, inmate behavior management, programs, health care, food service, sanitation, safety, security, legal issues, and community relations. Applicable to understanding county jail conditions and operations.

Directory of local reentry services to help incarcerated individuals and families find housing, employment, family reunification, and treatment services. Includes state-by-state listings and evidence-based practice guides.

Comprehensive listing of Arizona reentry resources: 211 Arizona, Old Pueblo Community Services, Hope's Crossing, AWEE, Goodwill Arizona, JobPath, Family Service Agency, and more. Includes housing, employment, education, and substance abuse counseling services statewide.

Links to Arizona reentry services including Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care, Yavapai Reentry Project, Arizona OIC, JobPath, Old Pueblo Community Services, Primavera Foundation, and Catholic Charities Kolbe Society mentor program in Tucson.

2025 ASU report. Key finding: mandatory parole orientations implemented in 2019 at Mesa Regional Parole Office reduced absconder warrants from 48-58/month to 4-7/month. Northeastern Maricopa: absconding rate 7.64% for those attending orientation vs. 23.55% for non-attendees.

Detailed explanation of Arizona's unique post-prison supervision system. Parole was eliminated effective 1/1/94. Explains earned release credits at 85.7% mark, SB 1310 (2019) allowing drug possession offenders to serve 70% instead of 85%, and distinctions between pre- and post-1994 sentencing structures.

Comprehensive data profile from Justice Reinvestment Initiative: 36% of people exiting prison in 2017 reincarcerated within 3 years; Arizona had 15th-lowest parole supervision rate in 2021; successful parole completion increased from 53% (2011) to 72% (2021); 76% of collateral consequences in Arizona are employment-related.

2024 CSG Justice Center report based on 4 years of data from all 50 states. 44% of all state prison admissions in 2021 were for probation/parole violations. 1 in 4 people in state prison on any given day in 2021 were incarcerated for supervision violations. Arizona-specific data included in state breakdowns.

2020 Pew report on evidence-based supervision reforms. Recommends: adopt performance measures tracking staff-client engagement, compliance with conditions, use of incentives, technical violations and sanctions, revocation petitions, and positive goal-based behaviors (employment, housing, programming completion).

National and state-level data on probation and parole populations, supervision success rates, admissions for violations, and racial disparities. US probation rate: 921 per 100,000 (2023). US parole rate: 202 per 100,000 (2023). 53% of probation violation admissions are technical; 59% of parole violation admissions are technical.

Comprehensive Arizona incarceration profile with data visualization. Key stats: 710 per 100,000 incarceration rate; 52,000+ people behind bars; 117,000+ cycle through local jails annually; 80% of jail inmates not convicted; Black people incarcerated at 4.9x the white rate; 11% of prison population over age 55; 82,035 on probation/parole.

Visual breakdown showing 52,220 Arizona residents locked up in federal prisons, state prisons, local jails, and other facilities. Part of "Punishment beyond prisons: Incarceration and supervision by state" series.

Graph showing dramatic growth in Arizona's prison and jail incarceration rates over 44 years. Contextualizes Arizona's trajectory within national trends. Essential for understanding how Arizona reached its current position.

Comprehensive national report with Arizona-relevant context: 4 in 5 people in prison/jail are locked up for something other than drug offenses; 1 in 3 people behind bars is in jail awaiting trial; almost 1 in 5 people in jail are there for probation/parole violations; 8% of confined people are in private prisons.

Current state rankings. Arizona ranked 7th highest nationally at 540 per 100,000 in 2026. Nearby comparisons: Kentucky 565, Texas 530, Missouri 505. Useful for benchmarking Arizona against neighbors and understanding relative standing.

Incident-based crime data from Arizona law enforcement agencies participating in NIBRS. Captures detailed data on 52 offenses including circumstances, victim/offender demographics, weapons, locations, and arrestee information. More detailed than traditional UCR.

Primary federal source for criminal justice statistics. Collections relevant to Arizona: National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), National Prisoner Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities, Survey of Prison Inmates, National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP).

Prison Policy Initiative analysis of Arizona's prison privatization claims. Found evidence of cost savings "virtually nonexistent." Private prison contracts drove up direct costs by estimated 23% ($3 million/year additional). Calls for full audit before relying on privatization claims.

Timeline of major developments in American corrections from 1891 to 2018: Three Prisons Act (1891), Bureau of Prisons established (1930), Attica Prison Riot (1971), NIC founded (1974), Comprehensive Crime Control Act (1984 - eliminated federal parole, instituted mandatory minimums), 1994 Crime Bill (Truth-in-Sentencing), First Step Act (2018).

Comprehensive chapter covering: William Penn's Great Law (1682) and its overturn in 1718; European penal reformers (Montesquieu, Voltaire, Beccaria, Howard, Bentham); Old Newgate Prison in Connecticut (1773) as first official U.S. prison; Walnut Street Jail and the birth of Pennsylvania/Auburn models; shift from punishment to rehabilitation ideals.

Visual timeline of U.S. prison history: 1720 Old York Gaol (oldest prison); 1789 Correctional Education Movement begins at Walnut Street Jail; 1825 New York House of Refuge (first juvenile prison); 1860 Reconstruction Era reform; 1865 Thirteenth Amendment and the rise of convict leasing.