Every year, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office publishes data on the most charged offenses in Maricopa County, offering a window into both crime trends and the volume of cases moving through the local court system.
In 2025, the office filed 23,648 criminal cases, a 12% drop from the 26,952 cases filed in 2024. That decline might suggest crime is falling across the board, but the category-by-category breakdown tells a more complicated story.
Below are the top 15 offense categories for 2025, drawn from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Data Dashboard. If you or someone you know is facing any of these charges, Lerner and Rowe Law Group’s Arizona criminal defense attorneys are available 24/7 to help.
2024 vs. 2025: Top Charged Offenses in Maricopa County
While overall filings dropped 12% in 2025, the most charged offenses in Maricopa County were different from the previous year.
| Category | 2024 Cases | 2025 Cases | Change |
| Drug Offenses | 13,314 | 1,701 | -12% |
| Assault and Related Offenses | 6,267 | 6,810 | +9% |
| Theft | 4,053 | 4,198 | +4% |
| Driving Under the Influence | 2,874 | 3,964 | +38% |
| Criminal Trespass and Burglary | 3,259 | 3,151 | -3% |
| Weapons and Explosives | 2,065 | 2,054 | -1% |
| Offenses Against Public Order | 1,133 | 1,139 | +1% |
| Traffic and Vehicle Regulation | 1,153 | 1,087 | -6% |
| Escape and Related Offenses | 973 | 1,084 | +11% |
| Criminal Damage to Property | 962 | 1,073 | +12% |
| Sexual Offenses | 704 | 772 | +10% |
| Family Offenses | 601 | 624 | +4% |
| Robbery | 661 | 593 | -10% |
| Forgery and Related Offenses | 556 | 541 | -3% |
| Organized Crime, Fraud and Terrorism | 442 | 440 | Flat |
While homicide was not in the top 15, charges increased steadily over the last 3 years, with 276 cases in 2023, 297 in 2024 (+8%), and 309 in 2025 (+4%).
Most Charged Offenses in Maricopa County 2025
1. Drug Offenses
11,701 Cases
Drug-related charges are the most charged offense in Maricopa County, accounting for nearly half of all filed cases in 2025. Some of these charges are simple possession and intent to sell or distribute.
Depending on the drug, amount, and circumstances, they can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony. In 2024, a large percentage of drug possession cases in Phoenix were dismissed, which highlights why having an attorney review the charges is important to the outcome of your case.
2. Assault and Related Offenses
6,810 Cases
Assault charges came in second, up 9% from 2024. These charges range from minor fights to serious weapons or injury incidents. Aggravated assault is a felony in Arizona. The relationship between the parties involved and the involvement of a weapon can impact the outcome of the case.
3. Theft
4,198 Cases
Theft can include shoplifting, organized retail crime, vehicle theft, etc. The value of the stolen property determines the severity of the charge and the potential penalties.
4. Driving Under the Influence
3,964 Cases
Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. There are multiple types of DUI charges in Arizona, including extreme, super extreme, and felony-level aggravated DUI. Penalties can include jail or prison time, fines, license suspension, an ignition interlock device (IID), and mandatory alcohol screening or treatment, with consequences escalating significantly at higher BAC levels or for repeat offenses.
5. Criminal Trespass and Burglary
3,151 Cases
Trespass and burglary are grouped together but are legally different. Trespassing is entering or remaining on someone else’s property without permission. Burglary is unlawful entry along with the intent to commit a crime once inside. That distinction makes burglary a more serious offense, and felony charges in this category can result in prison time.
6. Weapons and Explosives
2,054 Cases
Weapons and explosives charges cover a range of offenses related to the unlawful possession, use, or carrying of firearms and other dangerous weapons. The dominant charge in this category is misconduct involving weapons. While Arizona is lenient on firearm laws, a prior felony conviction or certain domestic violence convictions can make possession a criminal offense.
7. Offenses Against Public Order
1,139 Cases
These charges cover conduct that disrupts community safety and peace. Disorderly conduct leads the category by a wide margin, followed by aggravated harassment, stalking, and false reporting. Many of these charges are misdemeanors but can still result in jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
8. Traffic and Vehicle Regulation
1,087 Cases
Traffic and vehicle regulation charges cover criminal offenses related to vehicle operation, including conduct that endangers others or involves fleeing law enforcement. Unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle led the category by a wide margin, followed by reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
9. Escape and Related Offenses
1,084 Cases
Escape and related offenses cover situations where a person flees lawful custody, obstructs law enforcement, or resists arrest. These charges frequently accompany other offenses, which increases criminal penalties.
10. Criminal Damage to Property
1,073 Cases
Criminal damage to property charges involve intentionally or recklessly damaging, defacing, or destroying someone else’s property. An example would be breaking a car window or spray painting a building. These charges can range from misdemeanor to felony depending on the dollar value of the damage.
11. Sexual Offenses
772 Cases
Sex crimes are among the most serious charges in the criminal system, carrying significant penalties and long-term consequences, including mandatory sex offender registration.
12. Family Offenses
624 Cases
Family offenses cover criminal charges that arise from disputes between family or household members, including domestic violence, child abuse, and custodial interference. These charges can affect more than just the criminal case, with potential consequences for child custody arrangements and protective orders.
13. Robbery
593 Cases
Unlike theft, robbery involves the use or threat of force, making it a significantly more serious charge. Armed robbery carries particularly steep penalties under Arizona law, including mandatory prison time in many cases, and even unarmed robbery convictions can result in felony charges with long-term consequences.
14. Forgery and Related Offenses
541 Cases
These offenses involve falsifying documents, signatures, or identities with intent to deceive or defraud. Arizona law enforcement has broad authority to search digital devices in fraud investigations.
15. Organized Crime, Fraud and Terrorism
440 Cases
These cases involve coordinated criminal or financial schemes and have serious state and federal consequences. Examples include fraud schemes, organized retail theft, and identity fraud.
Facing Criminal Charges in Maricopa County? Contact Lerner and Rowe Law Group
From DUI to drug offenses to assault, every case on this list carries real consequences. Whatever you’re facing, our experienced Arizona criminal defense attorneys know how to build a defense no matter what charges you’re facing. If you’re facing charges in Maricopa County, a Phoenix criminal defense lawyer can help you understand what the process looks like from here.
Our attorneys are available 24/7 and offer payment plans to all clients.
Call (602) 667-7777, reach us via LiveChat, or fill out our secure online form to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.