Resource guide · Tucson, AZ
Diversion Programs and Classes in Tucson, AZ
Diversion lets many first-time misdemeanor defendants in Tucson complete counseling or a class instead of taking a conviction: finish the requirements and the Tucson City Prosecutor's Office asks the court to dismiss the charge. Standard city diversion costs $275 total ($75 intake + $50 class + $150 city fee), covers offenses like shoplifting, theft, disorderly conduct, and substance charges, and runs on a tight clock — fees due within 21 days of your plea and all classes done within 51 days.
Quick answer
If the prosecutor offers you diversion in Tucson City Court, the program is run with the Center for Life Skills Development — you pay the $275 (standard track), attend the class or counseling assigned to your charge (minor cases use a one-day, 7.5-hour class), and the charge is dismissed on completion. You cannot pick your own class: confirm every requirement, fee, and deadline with the court or prosecutor handling your case before you enroll or pay anyone.
Who we are: Next Step Counseling is an independent nationwide resource — not the former Tucson clinic of the same name, and not a counseling or diversion provider. Everything below comes from the City of Tucson's official Prosecutor's Diversion pages and the provider those pages name. Programs and fees change — always confirm current details with the court or the prosecutor's office that ordered or offered your diversion before you enroll or pay. Last reviewed September 5, 2026.
Tucson-area diversion programs compared
| Program | Who it's for | Classes / requirements | Cost | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard diversion (Tucson City Court) | Many first-time misdemeanor offenders: shoplifting, theft, disorderly conduct, substance-abuse charges, certain animal-code violations | One-day 7.5-hour adult responsibility class for minor cases; substance-abuse counseling; humane education class, per charge type | $275 total ($75 intake + $50 class + $150 city fee), plus any restitution | City of Tucson — Diversion → |
| Monitored Diversion (Tucson City Court) | Domestic-violence and certain other misdemeanors, in limited circumstances; more intensive counseling and supervision | Individualized counseling/education plan set case-by-case | $150 city fee + $60 intake + $45/month monitoring + $20 per class (DV) or $20–$30 per class (others) | City of Tucson — Monitored Diversion → |
| Mental Health Diversion (Tucson City Court) | Defendants with a serious mental illness or qualifying diagnosis, enrolled with a reporting behavioral-health provider; DUI, sex offenses, and some other charges excluded | Treatment plan (medication compliance, monthly provider reports) instead of classes; typical cases dismissed about six months after the pre-trial conference | Not published on the court page — confirm by phone | Tucson City Court — Mental Health Diversion → |
| Pima County Attorney adult diversion (county cases) | Adults charged at the county level; 10 separate diversion entities covering various misdemeanor and felony offenses | Requirements set per program entity (education, treatment, restorative-justice conditions) | Not published on the program page — confirm with PCAO by phone | Pima County Attorney — Diversion Programs → |
How Tucson City Court diversion works
- The prosecutor offers diversion. Eligibility is decided by the City Prosecutor's Office — typically first-time offenders on qualifying misdemeanors. You cannot simply sign up; it is offered as part of your case, often via a plea agreement at arraignment.
- You enroll and pay through the program provider. The city runs diversion in collaboration with the Center for Life Skills Development (3131 N. Country Club Rd., Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85716 · (520) 229-6220), which collects fees, tracks progress, and reports to the prosecutor. Per the provider, fees are generally due within 21 days of a guilty plea at arraignment, and all classes must be completed within 51 days.
- You complete the assigned class or counseling. Adult responsibility class (one day, 7.5 hours for minor cases), substance-abuse counseling, or humane education, depending on the charge.
- The charge is dismissed. When all fees, classes, restitution, and conditions are done, the Prosecutor's Office files a notice of successful completion with Tucson City Court requesting dismissal — no conviction on your record.
City Prosecutor's Office: 103 E. Alameda St., Suite 501, Tucson, AZ 85701 · (520) 791-4104 · [email protected] (8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Source: City of Tucson — Diversion.
DUI is different. Arizona has no DUI diversion — the penalties in A.R.S. § 28-1381 are mandatory, and DUI cases follow a separate screening/education/treatment path. See our Tucson DUI classes guide for that process. Domestic-violence cases that do qualify for Monitored Diversion use certified DV programming — which is not the same thing as an anger management class. If you or someone else is in danger, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 (thehotline.org).
Charged at the county level instead?
If your case is with the Pima County Attorney's Office (Superior Court or a Justice Court case rather than Tucson City Court), diversion runs through PCAO's own adult program — 10 separate diversion entities covering various misdemeanor and felony offenses, each with its own requirements. Fees and provider assignments are not published on the PCAO diversion page — contact PCAO or ask your attorney which entity your case falls under and what it costs before enrolling anywhere.
Not sure which program applies to your case? Tell us what you were cited for and which court your case is in, and we'll help you identify the right official office to verify with before you pay.