A. The defendant in a criminal action may appeal to the superior court from the final judgment of a justice or municipal court.

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 22-371

  • Action: includes any matter or proceeding in a court, civil or criminal. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • municipal court: as used in this title includes city or town magistrates' courts and all other courts established by law in incorporated cities and towns. See Arizona Laws 22-401
  • Plea agreement: An arrangement between the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for special considerations. Source:
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

B. The procedure for appeals from a justice or municipal court to the superior court shall be as provided by rules adopted by the supreme court.

C. In a trial in a justice or municipal court, a transcript of the proceedings may be ordered in the sole discretion of the superior court.

D. A defendant may not appeal from a judgment or sentence that is entered pursuant to a plea agreement or from an admission to a probation violation.

E. A victim, as defined in section 13-4401, may bring a special action seeking to enforce any right or to challenge an order denying any right guaranteed to victims.