Courts in Arizona
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Appellate Courts
The Arizona Supreme Court is the highest court in Arizona. The court currently consists of one chief justice, a vice chief justice, and three associate justices. Justices are appointed by the governor from a list recommended by a bi-partisan commission, and are re-elected after the initial two years following their appointment. Subsequent re-elections occur every six years. The supreme court has appellate jurisdiction in death penalty cases, but almost all other appellate cases go through the Arizona Court of Appeals beforehand. The court has original jurisdiction in a few other circumstances, as outlined in the state constitution. The court may also declare laws unconstitutional, but only while seated en banc. The court meets in the Arizona Supreme Court Building at the capitol complex (at the southern end of Wesley Bolin Plaza).
The Arizona Court of Appeals, further divided into two divisions, is the intermediate court in the state. Division One is based in Phoenix, consists of sixteen judges, and has jurisdiction in the Western and Northern regions of the state, along with the greater Phoenix area. Division Two is based in Tucson, consists of six judges, and has jurisdiction over the Southern regions of the state, including the Tucson area. Judges are selected in a method similar to the one used for state supreme court justices.
Trial Courts
Each county of Arizona has a superior court, a trial court of general jurisdiction. The size and organization of the Superior Courts are varied and generally depend on the size of the particular county. The Superior Courts will also hear appeals from the Arizona Justice Courts.
Limited jurisdiction courts
Tribal courts
The Tribal Council of the Hopi Reservation in Arizona established the Hopi Tribal Courts in 1972. The Hopi Judiciary is divided into the Hopi Trial Court with original jurisdiction over Hopi legal matters and the Hopi Appellate Court which hears appeals from the Trial Court. [1][2]
Federal courts
The only federal district court in Arizona is the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. Appeals from the District of Arizona go to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
External links
References
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