Criminal Justice (Courts)

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2767: early termination; sex offender registration

HB 2767 allows certain registered sex offenders in Arizona to petition a court for early termination of their registration requirement after meeting specific time thresholds: 10 years for offenses committed as an adult or 5 years for offenses committed as a juvenile. To qualify, petitioners must prove by clear evidence they have not committed new sex offenses, are not likely to reoffend, and pose no danger to others. The court must hold a hearing with victim notification, and if denied, must state specific reasons for the decision. Petitioners can appeal denials to the court of appeals within 30 days. This bill directly affects individuals already subject to long-term registration under Arizona law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables early termination of sex offender registration after rehabilitation period, reducing long-term burden and promoting reintegration - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Victims' Rights

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1352: domestic violence; definition; animal abuse

SB 1352 expands Arizona’s definition of domestic violence to include more relationship types, such as current or former romantic/sexual partners, and clarifies when law enforcement must arrest individuals for domestic violence offenses involving physical injury or weapons. It requires officers to temporarily seize firearms during domestic violence calls if they believe the firearm poses a risk of serious harm to victims or household members, with specific procedures for holding firearms for 72 hours and notifying victims. The bill also mandates that officers inform victims about available protections (like restraining orders) and establishes a court process for returning firearms after a hearing if the risk no longer exists. Importantly, this bill does not address animal abuse, despite the title suggesting it. The changes directly affect victims, defendants, and law enforcement officers responding to domestic violence incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence definitions and mandates firearm seizures during calls to prevent harm, strengthening victim protections and law enforcement protocols within criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2594: family court; address confidentiality

HB 2594 amends Arizona law to protect domestic violence victims' addresses in family court proceedings. It requires courts to use substitute addresses provided by the state’s address confidentiality program (established under Section 41-162) for all filings, notices, and communications involving participants. The bill seals real residence addresses in court records, prohibits unauthorized disclosure (with penalties including class 1 misdemeanors or class 6 felonies for harassment-related breaches), and explicitly bars courts from using program participation as evidence of parental alienation or instability. This directly affects individuals enrolled in the program - victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses, or stalking - who receive substitute addresses for safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects domestic violence victims' addresses in court records, enhancing victim safety and civil rights within criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 1304: mental illness; prisoners; diagnosis; treatment

SB 1304 requires Arizona county sheriffs and state correctional facilities to assess prisoners showing signs of mental illness within 24 hours. It mandates immediate continuation of prescribed medications upon jail intake and requires sheriffs to request serious mental illness designation within seven days for diagnosed prisoners. The bill also establishes court procedures for transferring prisoners to treatment facilities when mental health needs require it, including notice and hearing requirements. These provisions apply to all prisoners in county jails or state facilities with diagnosed or suspected mental health conditions. The law focuses on ensuring consistent mental health treatment during incarceration, without altering criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health assessments, treatment continuity, and court transfers for prisoners with mental illness, advancing rehabilitation and reform within correctional systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health assessments, medication continuation, and treatment transfers for prisoners, directly supporting mental health services within correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Mental Health

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passed · Arizona · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 2676: juvenile restoration; rights; firearms; civil

HB 2676 allows individuals adjudicated delinquent as juveniles in Arizona to petition a court for restored firearm rights after meeting specific conditions. It directly affects people who were minors when convicted of certain offenses but not adults. The bill establishes two waiting periods: 25 years for those convicted of serious offenses like burglary or arson, or a two-year wait for other felonies after completing probation or court-ordered conditions. The process requires a court application with no filing fee, served to the county attorney, and is handled by juvenile court judges. This changes the legal pathway for juvenile offenders to regain firearm rights under defined circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores firearm rights for juvenile offenders after waiting periods, promoting rehabilitation and reintegration - aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing barriers to reentry.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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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

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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

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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

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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