Arizona Court of Appeals
The Arizona Court of Appeals was established in 1965 and is the intermediate appellate court for the state. It is divided into two divisions, with a total of 28 judges on the court. There are 19 judges for Division One, based in Phoenix, and nine for Division Two, based in Tucson.[1][2]
The court decides the cases that come before it in panels of three judges. These panels are called departments. Each three-judge department has a presiding judge who is elected by the three judges of that department. The court hears appeals of civil and criminal cases from the superior courts, except when a death sentence has been imposed. If the superior court imposes a death sentence, the case is always appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court. The court of appeals reviews cases involving juveniles and domestic relations, workers' compensation and unemployment benefits, taxes and some corporation decisions. Finally, it may decide "petitions for special action", or petitions for special writs such as certiorari, mandamus and prohibition.[3]
When litigants disagree with a ruling of this court, they can file an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court.[4]
| Arizona Court of Appeals | |||
 | |||
| Court information | |||
| Judges: | 22 | ||
| Founded: | 1965 | ||
| Salary: | Associates: $200,000[5] | ||
| Judicial selection | |||
| Method: | Assisted appointment | ||
| Term: | 6 years | ||
Judges
| Judge | Tenure | Appointed By |
|---|---|---|
|
2003 - Present |
Janet Napolitano |
|
|
2017 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
December 29, 2022 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
January 2, 2023 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
October 20, 2015 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
2012 - Present |
Janice Kay Brewer |
|
|
September 29, 2017 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
September 29, 2017 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
2012 - Present |
Janice Kay Brewer |
|
|
2019 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
February 8, 2013 - Present |
Janice Kay Brewer |
|
|
March 1, 2023 - Present |
Katie Hobbs |
|
|
January 18, 2023 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
2018 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
April 24, 2020 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
2006 - Present |
Janet Napolitano |
|
|
2017 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
January 18, 2023 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
January 18, 2023 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
2007 - Present |
Janet Napolitano |
|
|
November 1, 2019 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
October 26, 2021 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
January 18, 2023 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
January 18, 2023 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
December 30, 2020 - Present |
Doug Ducey |
|
|
May 16, 2025 - Present |
Katie Hobbs |
|
|
May 16, 2025 - Present |
Katie Hobbs |
Salary
- See also: Arizona court salaries and budgets
In 2025, the associate judges of the court received a salary of $200,000, according to the National Center for State Courts.[6]
Judicial selection
- See also Judicial selection in Arizona
The 28 judges of the Arizona Court of Appeals are appointed by the governor from a list of names compiled by the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments. The commission is composed of 16 members who serve staggered four-year terms. The membership includes 10 non-attorneys, five attorneys, and the chief justice of the supreme court, who chairs the commission.[7]
The initial term of a new judge is at least two years, after which the judge stands for retention in an uncontested yes-no election. Subsequent terms last six years.[8] For more information on these retention elections, visit the Arizona judicial elections page.
The court of appeals is divided into two divisions. Nineteen judges are in Division One and are based in Phoenix, Arizona. The other nine judges are in Division Two and are based in Tucson, Arizona.[9]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:
- a state resident;
- licensed to practice law in Arizona for at least five years;
- of good moral character; and,
- at least 30 years old and under the age of 70 (retirement by 70 is mandatory).[9]
Chief judge
The chief judge of each division is selected by a peer vote. He or she serves in that capacity for one year.[10]
Vacancies
If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, the seat is filled as it normally would be if the vacancy occurred at the end of a judge's term. Potential judges submit applications to the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, and once the commission has chosen a slate of nominees, the governor picks one from that list. After occupying the seat for two years, the newly appointed judge stands for retention in the next general election. The judge then serves a full six-year term if he or she is retained by voters.[11]
Elections
See also: Arizona intermediate appellate court elections, 2030
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: Arizona intermediate appellate court elections, 2028
Michael Brown's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Kent Ernest Cattani's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
David Gass' seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Andrew Becke's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Veronika Fabian's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Cynthia Bailey's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
D. Steven Williams' seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: Arizona intermediate appellate court elections, 2026
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: Arizona intermediate appellate court elections, 2024
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Brian Furuya was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 75.0% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 75.0 | 279,951 |
| No | 25.0 | 93,546 | |
| Total Votes | 373,497 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Angela Paton was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 66.7% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 66.7 | 938,504 |
| No | 33.3 | 469,074 | |
| Total Votes | 1,407,578 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Peter Eckerstrom was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 74.2% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 74.2 | 282,219 |
| No | 25.8 | 97,963 | |
| Total Votes | 380,182 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Christopher P. Staring was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 72.1% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 72.1 | 271,121 |
| No | 27.9 | 104,947 | |
| Total Votes | 376,068 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
See also: Arizona intermediate appellate court elections, 2022
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
D. Steven Williams was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 79.3% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 79.3 | 229,822 |
| No | 20.7 | 59,924 | |
| Total Votes | 289,746 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Michael J. Brown was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 78.7% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 78.7 | 229,726 |
| No | 21.3 | 62,161 | |
| Total Votes | 291,887 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Cynthia Bailey was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 62.0% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 62.0 | 617,844 |
| No | 38.0 | 378,617 | |
| Total Votes | 996,461 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Kent Ernest Cattani was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.2% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 69.2 | 662,994 |
| No | 30.8 | 294,419 | |
| Total Votes | 957,413 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
David Gass was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 68.6% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 68.6 | 658,652 |
| No | 31.4 | 300,913 | |
| Total Votes | 959,565 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
See also: Arizona intermediate appellate court elections, 2020
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Maria Elena Cruz was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 81.0% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 81.0 | 310,153 |
| No | 19.0 | 72,589 | |
| Total Votes | 382,742 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One
Jennifer B. Campbell was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 80.6% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 80.6 | 309,335 |
| No | 19.4 | 74,280 | |
| Total Votes | 383,615 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Paul McMurdie was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 74.5% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 74.5 | 999,481 |
| No | 25.5 | 342,541 | |
| Total Votes | 1,342,022 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Samuel A. Thumma was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 75.3% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 75.3 | 996,592 |
| No | 24.7 | 327,781 | |
| Total Votes | 1,324,373 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
David Weinzweig was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 62.3% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 62.3 | 831,025 |
| No | 37.7 | 503,240 | |
| Total Votes | 1,334,265 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
James Morse was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 68.0% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 68.0 | 914,505 |
| No | 32.0 | 430,668 | |
| Total Votes | 1,345,173 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Jennifer Perkins was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 65.9% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 65.9 | 893,308 |
| No | 34.1 | 462,160 | |
| Total Votes | 1,355,468 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Randall M. Howe was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 73.7% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 73.7 | 995,970 |
| No | 26.3 | 354,571 | |
| Total Votes | 1,350,541 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two
Karl Eppich was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 79.6% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 79.6 | 201,022 |
| No | 20.4 | 51,370 | |
| Total Votes | 252,392 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two
Garye Vasquez was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 80.1% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 80.1 | 199,623 |
| No | 19.9 | 49,684 | |
| Total Votes | 249,307 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Sean Earl Brearcliffe was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 69.0% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 69.0 | 278,494 |
| No | 31.0 | 124,860 | |
| Total Votes | 403,354 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
See also: Arizona intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division One (Maricopa County)
Peter Swann was retained to Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018 with 73.0% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 73.0 | 629,581 |
| No | 27.0 | 232,831 | |
| Total Votes | 862,412 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Philip Espinosa was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018 with 72.4% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 72.4 | 221,296 |
| No | 27.6 | 84,442 | |
| Total Votes | 305,738 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Peter Eckerstrom was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018 with 74.8% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 74.8 | 230,964 |
| No | 25.2 | 77,619 | |
| Total Votes | 308,583 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two (Pima County)
Christopher P. Staring was retained to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018 with 75.6% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 75.6 | 230,361 |
| No | 24.4 | 74,287 | |
| Total Votes | 304,648 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Ethics
The judges in Arizona must follow the state's judicial code of conduct. It has four canons.
| “ |
|
” |
| —Arizona judiciary[13] | ||
Removal of judges
In Arizona, there are three ways to remove a judge from the bench.
- Judges may be impeached by a majority vote of the Arizona House of Representatives. The judge must then be convicted by a two-thirds vote of the Arizona Senate.
- The Arizona Supreme Court may take action to censure, suspend, remove or forcibly retire a judge upon the recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct
This commission receives and investigates complaints of judicial misconduct or wrongdoing. It then makes a recommendation, if appropriate, to the Supreme Court on discipline for the judge. The commission also answers ethical questions as they arise from judges and their staff.[15]
*For a more detailed look at this commission, please see the Commission on Judicial Conduct page.
Noteworthy cases
| • Arizona Court of Appeals rules marijuana users can get DUI even if not impaired (2013) Judge(s):Michael J. Brown (State ex rel. Montgomery v. Harris, No. 1 CA–SA 12–0211) | Click for summary→ |
|---|---|
|
The Arizona Court of Appeals' ruling on February 13, 2013, focused on two chemical compounds found in blood and urine of marijuana users. One compound impairs a driver's senses, while the second compound does not. The second compound, while not impairing the user, still stays in a person's system up to weeks after smoking and is detectable in a blood/urine test. The court of appeals ruled that Arizona law applies to both chemical compounds and that a person can be prosecuted for driving under the influence if marijuana is detectable in their system, even if the person is not actually impaired. This decision overturned the lower court's ruling that prosecuting someone for being under the influence when there was no evidence of impairment was senseless.[16] The Arizona Supreme Court reviewed the court of appeals' decision and affirmed it in an opinion issued April 22, 2014.[17] | |
| • Court orders sheriff to return confiscated marijuana (2013) Judge(s):Diane Johnsen (State v. Okun, No. 1 CA–CV 12–0094) | Click for summary→ |
|---|---|
|
Marijuana confiscated from a California woman was returned after the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier ruling by a superior court.[18][19] The marijuana was confiscated at a border checkpoint and the woman was cited for violating Arizona's drug laws. Those charges were dropped after she presented proof of her authorization to use and possess medical marijuana in California, and under Arizona’s 2010 voter-approved medical marijuana law, she was permitted to possess two and a half ounces as a visitor in Arizona. The Yuma County Superior Court ordered the medical marijuana returned, but the sheriff argued that doing so would violate federal drug distribution laws.[18][19] Affirming the superior court's decision, the Arizona Court of Appeals ordered that the marijuana be returned because it should never have been confiscated. The court also stated that "the Sheriff is immune from prosecution under the federal law for acts taken in compliance with a court order."[18][19] | |
State profile
| Demographic data for Arizona | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 6,817,565 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 113,594 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 78.4% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 4.2% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 3% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 4.4% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 3.2% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 30.3% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 86% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 27.5% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $50,255 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 21.2% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Arizona. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Arizona
Arizona voted Republican in six out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More Arizona coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Arizona
- United States congressional delegations from Arizona
- Public policy in Arizona
- Endorsers in Arizona
- Arizona fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Arizona Courts, "Court of Appeals," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two, "Court Information," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Court of Appeals," accessed February 12, 2015
- ↑ Azcourts.gov, "Court of Appeals," accessed July 7, 2014
- ↑ The salary of the chief judge may be higher than an associate judge.
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "2025 Salaries and Rankings," accessed October 8, 2025
- ↑ Arizona Judicial Branch, "Article 6, Section 36: Commission on appellate court appointments and terms, appointments and vacancies on commission," accessed March 24, 2023
- ↑ Arizona Judicial Branch, "Article 6, Section 37: Judicial vacancies and appointments; initial terms; residence; age," accessed March 24, 2023
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Arizona Judicial Branch, "Court of Appeals," accessed March 24, 2023
- ↑ Arizona State Legislature, "12-120.04. Chief judge; duties," accessed March 24, 2023
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Judicial Selection: An Interactive Map," accessed March 23, 2023
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Arizona Courts, "Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct (2014)," accessed July 18, 2023
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Removal of Judges in Alabama," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ Arizona Courts, "Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ AZ Central.com, "Arizona court ruling upholds DUI test for marijuana," February 13, 2013
- ↑ Findlaw.com, "State Montgomery v. Harris," April 22, 2014
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 The Daily Chronic, "Arizona court orders sheriff to return medical marijuana to California woman," January 12, 2013
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 The Republic, "Ariz. court orders county sheriff to return pot to California woman," January 10, 2013
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Arizona • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Arizona
State courts:
Arizona Supreme Court • Arizona Court of Appeals • Arizona Superior Court • Arizona Justice Courts • Arizona Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Arizona • Arizona judicial elections • Judicial selection in Arizona
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