Indigent Defense

Prop 207 Information

Important Information

How to Seal/Expunge a Marijuana Record

Arizona Voters recently passed Proposition 207, legalizing marijuana for personal use in Arizona. Prop 207 allows people to ask the court to expunge or seal their marijuana-related criminal records. 

Proposition 207 Process  

The County Attorney's office is taking direct applications.

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right…to have the assistance of counsel for his defense." - U.S. Constitution, Amendment VI - December 15, 1791

Cochise County Indigent Defense Offices - Who We Are

The Cochise County Public Defender, Legal Defender, and Office of Legal Advocate have collectively been assisting and defending the Accused in Cochise County for well over twenty years.

The three separate office model was created in order to assist the Cochise County community in order to provide full representation of those individuals needing and qualifying for appointed assistance of counsel, in the most efficient way.

Having three separate offices to serve the needs of the indigent accused alleviates most conflicts of interest with representing co-defendants and victims in other cases and enables attorneys to manage a high-volume caseload by sharing an even distribution of complicated cases between the three offices.

Attorneys from the Cochise County Public Defender, Cochise County Legal Defender, and Cochise County Office of Legal Advocate are appointed by the Court to represent indigent persons in need of representation for a wide array of services, including criminal charges, probation matters, juvenile delinquency, and dependency matters, as well as mental health commitments, extradition cases, criminal appeals, and post-conviction relief.

It is the mission of the Cochise County Indigent Defense offices to provide effective, high-quality, and competent representation for the people we represent here in Cochise County.

Our Attorneys and Administrative Staff are well trained, competent, and committed to respecting the humanity and dignity of our clients and protecting their rights while advocating for the best possible resolution of a case at every step of the proceedings.

Understand Your Rights & Responsibilities

Contact with Law Enforcement

  • You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so politely and verbally to Law Enforcement, but then actually remain silent.
  • You have the responsibility to stay calm, be polite, don't panic, don't lie, or present false information. When you are courteous, any encounter will be less stressful for you as well as the person with the ability to arrest you and take you to jail.
  • You have the right to refuse your consent of any search of your person, vehicle, or home. If you wish to exercise this Right, say so verbally to Law Enforcement.
  • You have the responsibility to not interfere or obstruct Law Enforcement. If you have not consented to a search, and one is conducted anyway, do not attempt to block or stop them from searching. Your lawyer will sort out the details after the fact; don't pick up additional charges.

If You Are Arrested

  • You have the right to remain silent and should exercise that Right.
  • You have the responsibility to not resist that arrest
  • You have the right to an attorney
  • You have the responsibility to calmly advise Law Enforcement when you exercise any Right
  • You have the right to not sign any statements or make verbal statements to the police without an attorney present.

Remember, regardless of your immigration or citizenship status, you have Constitutional Rights.