NCJ Number
118291
Date Published
1989
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This public-information booklet answers many commonly asked questions about Arizona's court operations, judge selection, and the judicial process.
Abstract
A historical perspective of the Arizona court system focuses on statehood and the judiciary as well as constitutional changes affecting the judiciary. An overview of the current court system describes the limited jurisdiction courts (justice of the peace courts and municipal courts), the general jurisdiction court (the superior court), and the appellate courts (the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court). An explanation of how a case begins and proceeds covers civil cases, criminal cases, and the trial. The description of the trial encompasses the people involved, the sequence of events, and judgment and sentencing. Information on service as a juror focuses on the various types of juries, i.e., trial or petit juries, county grand jury, and State grand jury. Also described are the commissions on judicial appointments, which are the core of the judge merit selection system, and the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which reviews and investigates complaints against judges. The booklet concludes with an explanation of the court's role in the impeachment of a public officer. Glossary of legal terms.