Criminal Justice (Courts)

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 1140: expungement of misdemeanor records

SB 1140 would allow eligible individuals to petition a court to remove certain misdemeanor arrest or conviction records from public access. This applies to people who were arrested without charges filed, had charges dismissed, received a not guilty verdict, or completed a misdemeanor conviction (after waiting three years, or five years for specific offenses like violations of Section 13-1805). To qualify, petitioners must have no pending legal cases or unpaid fines, and the court must approve the request after reviewing the petition. If approved, the court orders records sealed, making them inaccessible to the public but still available to the individual, their attorney, and law enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement of misdemeanor records reduces barriers to employment/rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2825: fines; fees; assessments; restitution; nonpayment

HB 2825 amends Arizona law to change how courts handle cases where defendants fail to pay court-ordered fines, fees, restitution, or incarceration costs. It requires courts to hold hearings to determine if nonpayment is willful (intentional refusal to pay) before imposing penalties like jail time, explicitly prohibiting incarceration solely due to inability to pay. The bill mandates clear written notices in plain language for defendants about their hearing rights and financial hardship evidence, and allows courts to enter a civil default judgment if defendants skip hearings without valid reason. This directly affects individuals owing court-ordered payments, prosecutors, victims seeking restitution, and courts managing these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents jail time for inability to pay fines/fees, protecting defendants from poverty-based incarceration - a core criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

Track

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2319: sealing arrest records; misdemeanor designation

HB 2319 amends Arizona statutes to clarify that lifetime injunctions protecting victims from offenders remain valid even if the offender's criminal records are later sealed or reclassified as misdemeanors. Specifically, it ensures that injunctions issued under Section 13-719 (which prohibit contact after certain felony convictions) do not expire due to record sealing under Section 13-911, and that misdemeanor designations or expungements do not invalidate these injunctions. The bill directly affects victims who can maintain these protections and individuals seeking to seal their records, as it prevents record sealing from overriding existing court-ordered injunctions. Key provisions require courts to maintain injunctions for life unless the victim dies, the conviction is overturned, or the victim requests termination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures victim protective orders remain valid despite record sealing, strengthening victim safety protections under criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

signed · Arizona · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2960: veterans' court fund; grant program

HB 2960 establishes a grant program to fund specialized veterans' courts in Arizona counties and municipalities. It creates a "veterans' treatment court fund" using state appropriations, providing money to local governments to set up courts that address veterans' justice-involved behavior through individualized treatment plans for issues like PTSD, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. The program requires grantees to report annually on participant demographics, recidivism, treatment use, and program outcomes, with the Attorney General compiling statewide data and recommendations for improvement. This directly affects veterans involved in the criminal justice system by connecting them to targeted support services rather than standard court processing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds specialized veterans' courts with treatment plans for PTSD/substance abuse to reduce recidivism, directly advancing criminal justice reform through rehabilitation-focused alternatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds veterans' courts providing treatment for PTSD/substance abuse (mental health services) via state grants, directly advancing healthcare access for specific conditions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes state-funded grant program for veterans' courts addressing PTSD/substance abuse via treatment plans, directly funding veteran services and healthcare support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2573: DUI; alternative treatment

HB 2573 modifies Arizona's DUI sentencing to offer an alternative treatment option for certain offenders. It allows judges to suspend all but one day of jail time for DUI convictions involving alcohol if the defendant successfully completes a court-ordered alcohol or drug screening, education, or treatment program. The bill also maintains existing penalties, including a $250 minimum fine, two $500 assessments (funding prison construction and public safety equipment), and mandatory ignition interlock devices for alcohol-related DUIs. This primarily affects individuals convicted of DUI under Arizona law, providing a pathway to reduce jail time through treatment participation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeOffers treatment alternatives over jail time for DUI, promoting rehabilitation and reducing incarceration - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1375: immigration; courts; hospitals; schools; daycares.

SB 1375 protects individuals attending court proceedings from civil arrest while traveling to, at, or leaving court. It covers parties, witnesses, potential witnesses, and specific court companions (like family members, advocates, or translators) at court locations and within 1,000 feet, with violations carrying $10,000 in damages. The bill also requires Arizona hospitals to adopt policies by January 2027 for handling law enforcement interactions, including verifying officer identity, designating waiting areas, and providing patients with privacy notices that allow redaction of immigration status or birthplace information. These provisions apply to all court proceedings and hospital facilities statewide, directly affecting court participants, hospitals, and law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects court attendees from civil arrest, ensuring access to justice and civil rights within criminal proceedings per bill's core provision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

vetoed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1326: victims' rights; attorney fees; costs

SB 1326 strengthens victims' rights in Arizona criminal cases by allowing victims to directly enforce their constitutional rights in court without paying filing fees. It gives victims the right to hire their own lawyers (at their expense), recover damages from government entities that violate their rights, and receive court-ordered attorney fees from parties who breach those rights - including fees for free legal aid or pro bono attorneys. The law applies to all pending or new criminal cases after its effective date. This clarifies victims' standing to challenge rights violations and ensures their legal representation is included in relevant court proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victims' rights in criminal cases by removing financial barriers, enabling victim representation, and allowing fee recovery - directly advancing victims' access to justice within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

Track

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2595: appropriation; Coconino county; juvenile services

HB 2595 appropriates $45 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Coconino County through the Attorney General. The funds will directly support constructing a new juvenile court services facility and converting the county's existing juvenile detention center into a detox, sobriety, and crisis recovery center. This bill provides concrete financial resources for physical infrastructure changes within Coconino County's juvenile services system. It does not alter eligibility or service standards but focuses on facility development and repurposing. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having passed its first two readings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $45M from state general fund to fund juvenile services infrastructure, directly advancing public service funding under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds infrastructure for juvenile services reform, converting detention to crisis recovery center, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

signed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2226: processing arrestees; veteran status

HB 2226 requires courts to ask arrestees at their first court hearing if they are U.S. military veterans. If confirmed (via documents like a DD-214), prosecutors must inform veterans about veterans' services and refer them to veterans' courts or treatment programs - unless the person faces serious charges like violent crimes or crimes against children. The bill directly affects veterans arrested for non-serious offenses, creating a pathway to specialized support instead of standard criminal proceedings. It does not change existing criminal penalties but adds a procedural step for veterans' case processing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates diversion for veterans with non-serious offenses to treatment programs and veterans' courts, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRefers veterans to treatment programs, facilitating access to healthcare services like mental health support without restricting coverage or funding.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates courts to identify veterans and refer to specialized support programs, recognizing status and providing access to services instead of standard criminal proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2673: mental illness; prisoners; diagnosis; treatment.

HB 2673 requires Arizona county sheriffs and state correctional facilities to address mental health needs of incarcerated individuals. It mandates that prisoners showing symptoms of mental illness receive a licensed physician examination within 24 hours, ensures continuity of prescribed medications and treatments upon jail entry, and requires screening for prior mental illness diagnoses. For state facilities, it creates a process where prisoners displaying severe mental health symptoms may be transferred to specialized treatment facilities after a court hearing with appointed legal representation. The bill also requires quarterly condition reports from treatment facilities to correctional authorities and courts. This applies directly to prisoners in county jails (for misdemeanor cases) and state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health assessments, treatment continuity, and screening for incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities, directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health assessments, treatment continuity, and screenings for incarcerated individuals, directly advancing mental health care access in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Mental Health