Ariz. Rev. Stat. » Title 11
Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532 (2026)

Powers and duties; definition

✓ current as of May 2026
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11-532. Powers and duties; definition

A. The county attorney is the public prosecutor of the county and shall:

1. Attend the superior and other courts within the county and on behalf of the state, conduct all prosecutions for public offenses.

2. Institute proceedings before magistrates for the arrest of persons charged with or reasonably suspected of public offenses when the county attorney has information that the offenses have been committed.

3. If not engaged in criminal proceedings in the superior court, attend on the magistrates in cases of arrest if required by them, and attend before and give advice to the grand jury.

4. Draw indictments and informations, defend actions brought against the county and prosecute actions to recover recognizances forfeited in courts of record and actions for recovery of debts, fines, penalties and forfeitures accruing to the state or county.

5. Deliver receipts for monies or property received in the county attorney's official capacity and file duplicate receipts with the clerk of the board.

6. On the first Monday of January, April, July and October in each year, file with the board of supervisors an account, verified by oath, of all monies received in the county attorney's official capacity during the preceding three months, and at the same time pay it to the county treasurer.

7. When required, give a written opinion to county officers on matters relating to the duties of their offices.

8. Keep a register of official business and enter in the register every action prosecuted, criminal or civil, and of the proceedings of the action.

9. Act as the legal advisor to the board of supervisors, attend its meetings and oppose claims against the county that the county attorney deems unjust or illegal.

10. Act as the attorney for school districts based on the availability of staff and if there is no conflict of interest, except as provided in section 15-343 or except in any lawsuits involving a conflict of interest with other county offices, at which time the attorney general may represent the school district.

11. Act as the attorney for the community college district based on the availability of staff and if there is no conflict of interest, except as provided in section 15-1448 or except in any lawsuits involving a conflict of interest with other county offices, at which time the attorney general may represent the community college district.

12. Defend all locally valued and assessed property tax appeals as provided in section 42-16208.

B. On receipt of an appellant's brief in a criminal appeal, the county attorney shall furnish the attorney general with a true statement of the facts in the case, together with the available authorities and citations that are responsive to the assignments or specifications of error.

C. The county attorney may represent a school district governing board member against whom an action is brought in the board member's individual capacity until it is established as a matter of law that the alleged activity or events that form the basis of the complaint were not performed, or not directed to be performed, within the scope or course of the member's duties.

D. Notwithstanding article 12 of this chapter, in connection with the investigation or prosecution of any matter involving the death of a person, the county attorney may request that the medical examiner, for the county in which the prosecution will take place, conduct the medical examination.

E. The county attorney may provide civil legal services to another county or other political subdivision of this state or an officer, employee or agency of a political subdivision of this state at the request of that county's or political subdivision's elected or appointed general counsel or pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement entered into by the county and the other political subdivision as provided in chapter 7, article 3 of this title at the request of the county attorney. Any intergovernmental agreement shall state any payment to be rendered for the services and the scope of the representation.  The county attorney may also obtain civil legal services for the county or for an officer, employee or agency of the county, from the elected or appointed general counsel of another county or other political subdivision of this state by request or pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement.

F. For the purposes of this section "general counsel" means an elected or appointed county attorney, city attorney or town attorney.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 62 cases (11 in the last 5 years), 1965–2025 · leading case: In the Matter of Rachel R. Alexander, 300 P.3d 536 (Ariz. 2013).
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In the Matter of Rachel R. Alexander, 300 P.3d 536 (Ariz. 2013). · cites it 4× “Because the Board-declared conflict was pending when Alexander maintained the RICO lawsuit, she argues she did not simultaneously act as the Board’s lawyer and therefore did not violate ER 1.”
Crosby-Garbotz v. Hon. fell/state, 434 P.3d 143 (Ariz. 2019). · cites it 2× “§ 41-193(A)(4), (5), but is also responsible for handling appeals of criminal cases originally tried by county attorneys, who must furnish that office with a statement of facts and legal authority for appellate purposes, see A.”
Romley v. Arpaio, 40 P.3d 831 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 6× “The County Attorney concluded, in significant part, that a county officer cannot employ legal counsel to represent a county agency before the Commission because such representation is expressly reserved to the County Attorney by A.R.S. § 11-532(A) (1990). Based on that opinion,…”
City of Phoenix v. Yarnell, 909 P.2d 377 (Ariz. 1995). · cites it 4× “See A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(1); State v. Murphy, 113 Ariz.”
State v. Payne, 225 P.3d 1131 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “” A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(1). In enacting the ordinance in question, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, “as a matter of public policy,” expressly sought to “eas[e] the burden on taxpayers by recovering all or part of the cost of prosecution from those who cause the expenditure” —…”
Earl Edwin Gobel & Michael J. Defranco v. Maricopa Cnty., Thomas E. Collins, David P. Stoller, & Frank Gary, 867 F.2d 1201 (9th Cir. 1989). · cites it 2× “” Ariz.Rev.Stat. § 11-532(A). Investigators, employed by a prosecutor and performing investigative work in connection with a criminal prosecution, are entitled to the same degree of immunity as prosecutors.”
Riley, Hoggatt & Suagee, P.C. v. English, 864 P.2d 1042 (Ariz. 1993). · cites it 4× “See generally A.R.S. § 11-532. Thus, what is the appropriate course when these two responsibilities collide? Justices of the peace are county officers and integral parts of our judicial system.”
Gershon v. Broomfield, 642 P.2d 852 (Ariz. 1982). · cites it 4× “2, § 30; A.R.S. § 11-532(A); A.R.S. § 21-427(B); Rule 2.”
Amphitheater Unified Sch. Dist. 10 v. Harte, 624 P.2d 1281 (Ariz. 1981). · cites it 4× “Petitioner points out that the Attorney General has supervisory authority over the county attorneys (the legal advisors of the school districts — A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(10)); that the Attorney General reviews opinions of the county attorneys on school matters and issues legal…”
Bd. of Sup'rs of Maricopa Cnty. v. Woodall, 586 P.2d 628 (Ariz. 1978). · cites it 7× “§ 11-532(A)(4), (7)-(9), the Court said: "It will be observed that there is no express provision requiring the county attorney to prosecute any civil actions on behalf of the county, though there is one requiring him to defend any which may be brought against it, nor is even…”
Maricopa Cnty. v. Arizona Tax Court, 781 P.2d 41 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 4× “As the taxpayers herein point out, A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(9) identifies the County Attorney as the attorney for the Board of Supervisors.”
State v. Murphy, 555 P.2d 1110 (Ariz. 1976). · cites it 2× “” Under the statute in question, if no aggravating circumstances are presented at a hearing, the trial court must impose a life sentence. The trial judge in this case concluded that the court was entitled to hear all the evidence, and it was the duty of the prosecutor to put on…”
Show all 62 citing cases →
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A) — 10 cases
Gershon v. Broomfield, 642 P.2d 852 (Ariz. 1982). “2, § 30; A.R.S. § 11-532(A); A.R.S. § 21-427(B); Rule 2.”
Earl Edwin Gobel & Michael J. Defranco v. Maricopa Cnty., Thomas E. Collins, David P. Stoller, & Frank Gary, 867 F.2d 1201 (9th Cir. 1989). “” Ariz.Rev.Stat. § 11-532(A). Investigators, employed by a prosecutor and performing investigative work in connection with a criminal prosecution, are entitled to the same degree of immunity as prosecutors.”
Romley v. Arpaio, 40 P.3d 831 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2002). “The County Attorney concluded, in significant part, that a county officer cannot employ legal counsel to represent a county agency before the Commission because such representation is expressly reserved to the County Attorney by A.R.S. § 11-532(A) (1990). Based on that opinion,…”
Romley v. Daughton, 241 P.3d 518 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2010).
johnson/trejo/carter v. Hon. vederman/state (Ariz. Ct. App. 2017).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(1) — 9 cases
City of Phoenix v. Yarnell, 909 P.2d 377 (Ariz. 1995). “See A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(1); State v. Murphy, 113 Ariz.”
State v. Payne, 225 P.3d 1131 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009). “” A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(1). In enacting the ordinance in question, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, “as a matter of public policy,” expressly sought to “eas[e] the burden on taxpayers by recovering all or part of the cost of prosecution from those who cause the expenditure” —…”
Earl Edwin Gobel & Michael J. Defranco v. Maricopa Cnty., Thomas E. Collins, David P. Stoller, & Frank Gary, 867 F.2d 1201 (9th Cir. 1989). “” Ariz.Rev.Stat. § 11-532(A). Investigators, employed by a prosecutor and performing investigative work in connection with a criminal prosecution, are entitled to the same degree of immunity as prosecutors.”
Loughran v. Superior Court of Maricopa, 699 P.2d 1287 (Ariz. 1985).
State v. Hanger, 706 P.2d 1240 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1985).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(10) — 1 case
Amphitheater Unified Sch. Dist. 10 v. Harte, 624 P.2d 1281 (Ariz. 1981). “Petitioner points out that the Attorney General has supervisory authority over the county attorneys (the legal advisors of the school districts — A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(10)); that the Attorney General reviews opinions of the county attorneys on school matters and issues legal…”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(2) — 1 case
State of Arizona v. Jose Adrian Agundez-Martinez, 540 P.3d 1205 (Ariz. 2024).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(3) — 1 case
Steiger v. Woods, 32 P.3d 19 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2001).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(4) — 6 cases
Bd. of Sup'rs of Maricopa Cnty. v. Woodall, 586 P.2d 628 (Ariz. 1978). “§ 11-532(A)(4), (7)-(9), the Court said: "It will be observed that there is no express provision requiring the county attorney to prosecute any civil actions on behalf of the county, though there is one requiring him to defend any which may be brought against it, nor is even…”
Moore v. State, 656 P.2d 646 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1982).
Mulligan v. Grace, 666 P.2d 1092 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1983).
Romley v. Daughton, 241 P.3d 518 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2010).
Bd. of Supervisors v. Woodall, 586 P.2d 628 (Ariz. 1978).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(7) — 6 cases
Bd. of Sup'rs of Maricopa Cnty. v. Woodall, 586 P.2d 628 (Ariz. 1978). “§ 11-532(A)(4), (7)-(9), the Court said: "It will be observed that there is no express provision requiring the county attorney to prosecute any civil actions on behalf of the county, though there is one requiring him to defend any which may be brought against it, nor is even…”
Collins v. Corbin, 771 P.2d 1380 (Ariz. 1989).
Romley v. Daughton, 241 P.3d 518 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2010).
Bd. of Supervisors v. Woodall, 586 P.2d 640 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1978).
Bd. of Supervisors v. Woodall, 586 P.2d 628 (Ariz. 1978).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(8) — 1 case
Lawall v. Rr Robertson (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(A)(9) — 10 cases
In the Matter of Rachel R. Alexander, 300 P.3d 536 (Ariz. 2013). “Because the Board-declared conflict was pending when Alexander maintained the RICO lawsuit, she argues she did not simultaneously act as the Board’s lawyer and therefore did not violate ER 1.”
Romley v. Arpaio, 40 P.3d 831 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2002). “The County Attorney concluded, in significant part, that a county officer cannot employ legal counsel to represent a county agency before the Commission because such representation is expressly reserved to the County Attorney by A.R.S. § 11-532(A) (1990). Based on that opinion,…”
Maricopa Cnty. v. Arizona Tax Court, 781 P.2d 41 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1989). “As the taxpayers herein point out, A.R.S. § 11-532(A)(9) identifies the County Attorney as the attorney for the Board of Supervisors.”
Bd. of Sup'rs of Maricopa Cnty. v. Woodall, 586 P.2d 628 (Ariz. 1978). “§ 11-532(A)(4), (7)-(9), the Court said: "It will be observed that there is no express provision requiring the county attorney to prosecute any civil actions on behalf of the county, though there is one requiring him to defend any which may be brought against it, nor is even…”
Romley v. Daughton, 241 P.3d 518 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2010).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(B) — 2 cases
Crosby-Garbotz v. Hon. fell/state, 434 P.3d 143 (Ariz. 2019). “§ 41-193(A)(4), (5), but is also responsible for handling appeals of criminal cases originally tried by county attorneys, who must furnish that office with a statement of facts and legal authority for appellate purposes, see A.”
Crosby-Garbotz v. Hon. fell/state (Ariz. 2019).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(C) — 1 case
State v. Brooks, 616 P.2d 70 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1980).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-532(a) — 1 case
William Platt v. Jason Moore, 15 F.4th 895 (9th Cir. 2021).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.