The Final Judgment Rule in Arizona

Abstract

1. Some understanding of the Arizona judicial system may be helpful. The trial court of general jurisdiction is the superior court of which there is one for each county. Most superior courts have multiple divisions (judges) and in the most populous county in the state the superior court has over forty divisions. Below the superior court there are justices of the peace who preside over precincts within the county. Their jurisdiction is limited to small claims and misdemeanors. Towns and urban areas maintain municipal courts with jurisdictional limitations roughly similar to those imposed upon justices of the peace. The Arizona Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court and the Arizona Supreme Court is the tribunal of last resort. The structure and jurisdiction of Arizona courts are set forth in Article VI of the Arizona Constitution and title 12 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.