Being accused of domestic violence in Tucson is a serious situation that demands immediate, careful action. Arizona has some of the strictest domestic violence laws in the country, and the consequences of a conviction extend far beyond potential jail time. You could lose your right to possess firearms, face a permanent criminal record, and deal with a protective order that affects where you can live and who you can contact.
The first and most important step is to remain calm and exercise your right to remain silent. Anything you say to police officers, the alleged victim, or even friends and family can be used against you in court. Do not try to contact the alleged victim to "work things out." If a no-contact order has been issued, violating it will result in additional criminal charges, regardless of who initiated the contact.
Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. In Tucson, the initial appearance hearing typically happens within 24 hours of arrest, and having an attorney present at that hearing can make a significant difference in your release conditions. An experienced defense attorney can argue for reasonable conditions that allow you to continue working, living in your home (when appropriate), and maintaining contact with your children.
Begin documenting everything you can remember about the incident and the events leading up to it. Write down names of potential witnesses, save text messages and emails that may be relevant, and note any inconsistencies between what actually happened and what the police report describes. This information will be invaluable to your defense attorney as they build your case.