In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 38-1131

  • Action: includes any matter or proceeding in a court, civil or criminal. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • Adult: means a person who has attained eighteen years of age. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • Disciplinary action: means the dismissal, the demotion or any suspension of a probation officer that is authorized by statute, charter or ordinance and that is subject to a hearing or other procedure by a local merit board, a civil service board or a hearing officer. See Arizona Laws 38-1131
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Probation officer: means a surveillance officer, juvenile detention officer or juvenile or adult probation officer, other than a probationary employee, who is employed by this state or a political subdivision of this state. See Arizona Laws 38-1131
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

1. "Appeal" means a hearing before a state or local merit board, a civil service board or a hearing officer.

2. "Disciplinary action" means the dismissal, the demotion or any suspension of a probation officer that is authorized by statute, charter or ordinance and that is subject to a hearing or other procedure by a local merit board, a civil service board or a hearing officer.

3. "Investigative file" means the probation department’s complete report and any attachments detailing the incidents leading to the disciplinary action.

4. "Just cause" means:

(a) The employer informed the probation officer of the possible disciplinary action resulting from the officer’s conduct through agency manuals, employee handbooks, the employer’s rules and regulations or other communications to the officer or the conduct was such that the officer should have reasonably known disciplinary action could occur.

(b) The disciplinary action is reasonably related to the standards of conduct for a professional probation officer, the mission of the agency, the orderly, efficient or safe operation of the agency or the officer’s fitness for duty.

(c) The discipline is supported by a preponderance of evidence that the conduct occurred.

(d) The discipline is not excessive and is reasonably related to the seriousness of the offense and the officer’s service record.

5. "Probation officer" means a surveillance officer, juvenile detention officer or juvenile or adult probation officer, other than a probationary employee, who is employed by this state or a political subdivision of this state.