Arizona
Arizona’s highest court is the Arizona Supreme Court. The court consists of five justices, one vice chief justice, and one chief justice. The chief justice and vice chief justice are selected by a majority of the court. The chief justice serves a five-year term and the vice chief justice’s term is determined by the court. (Source: Arizona Supreme Court)
Judicial Selection
The governor appoints Arizona Supreme Court justices from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. After at least two years on the court, the justice can stand for a six-year term in an unopposed yes/no retention vote in Arizona’s next general election. Justices can stand for additional terms through retention elections. The governor fills interim vacancies from a list provided by the judicial nominating commission. The mandatory retirement age is 70.
State Constitution
Arizona’s first and only constitution was adopted in 1911. As of January 1, 2024, it had 160 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
Filters
Does the Arizona Constitution Allow Juryless Trial by Bureaucrats?
A case in Arizona calls into question the constitutionality of an administrative hearing in which the owners of a business were found guilty of fraud.
The History of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, and What Might Come Next
Until the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, the country was a patchwork of laws regarding who could marry.
State Politicians Broaden Attacks on Direct Democracy
Multiple state legislatures have taken steps to make it more difficult for citizens to amend their laws.
Attorney General Duties Are a Frequent Target of Legislative Gamesmanship
Legislatures in multiple states have stripped power from attorneys general they disagree with politically.
Three Years After Dobbs, State Courts Are Defining the Future of Abortion
Litigation across the states is testing how far constitutional amendments can go in protecting or restricting abortion access.
Despite Constitutional Amendment, Abortion Still Out of Reach in Missouri
The Missouri Supreme Court reinstated restrictions on abortion this week, effectively making the procedure impossible to access in the state.
Levels of Scrutiny Applied by State Courts, Explained
The tests state courts use to decide whether a law impermissibly infringes on people’s rights play a big role in determining whether government restrictions on those rights are upheld.
A Practical Guide to Using State History to Overcome Federal Precedent
Lawyers often waive state constitutional claims by failing to make arguments that diverge from federal case law. An originalism-style approach may provide alternatives.