Tucson has long had a reputation for being the most dangerous city in Arizona. Part of the reason for this unsavory characterization may come from the fact that violent crime has been on an upswing in the city for several years. Murders rose by 13 percent in Tucson from 2017 to 2018. It may surprise people to know, however, that Phoenix actually has a higher rate of violent crime than Tucson, both in actual numbers and per capita. This would suggest Tucson is not the most dangerous city in the state.
Tucson Crime Stats
Property crimes such as burglary, shoplifting and larceny are the most common crimes in Tucson and other parts of Arizona. Auto theft is another all too common crime. In 2017, the city of Tucson reported 2,407 auto thefts.
Types of Crime in Tucson
Violent Crime
There were 53 murders in Tucson in 2018. The good news is that the city has a higher rate of solving those murders than the national average. Police in Tucson attribute this success to a good relationship with people in the community. Solving crimes, such as murder, can also depend on the motivation for the murder or violent act. For example, If the crime was related to drug trafficking, it might be easier for the police to get information and evidence from other criminals who are also involved in the criminal enterprise by offering reduced sentences in exchange for information. In the case of domestic homicides, the suspect is usually apparent.
Non-Violent Crime
Larceny is the most common type of crime in Tucson and other parts of Arizona. Larceny is defined as the taking away of property without the intent of returning that property. It is often considered a misdemeanor, except in cases where the behavior is considered chronic or the value of the property stolen is high. Other non-violent crimes include fraud, vandalism, and some sex crimes.
Traffic Crime
Arizona’s low rate of drunk driving arrests (DUI) may be due to the fact that it is ranked as one of the states with the toughest drunk driving laws. In fact, you can get arrested for having a blood alcohol level of 0.8. You can even get charged for dozing off while drunk with your keys in the ignition.
How Does Tucson Compare to Other AZ Cities?
According to the FBI’s most recent crime statistic, Phoenix reported 12,511 violent crimes in 2017 and Tucson reported 4,268 crimes. Phoenix also greatly exceeded Tucson in burglary and other kinds of non-violent crime. Tucson has only half the population of Phoenix, and although it may not be the most dangerous city in the state, it does have a lot of crime for its size.
What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Attorney
When choosing a criminal defense attorney in Tucson, you want to make sure that they specialize in the kind of crime that you have been accused of. You can check a lawyer against the Arizona Bar Association and make sure there are no complaints against that attorney or their firm. Be sure to ask your lawyer how many courtroom trial cases they have argued and won.
