Arizona Appeals
Wrongly decided
in Arizona.
Arizona's 20-day clock is one of the shortest in the country. It starts running before most people know they need a lawyer.
Criminal appeals in Arizona go to Division One in Phoenix or Division Two in Tucson, and post-conviction relief under Rule 32 runs on its own timeline, including the separate of-right proceeding for defendants who pleaded guilty. The window to file is measured in days, not months.
Arizona Deadline Reality
The clock decides more cases than the merits do
Because the notice of appeal in Arizona is due so quickly, a defendant who is still deciding whether to appeal may already be close to losing the right. If a judgment was entered in the last few weeks, call before doing anything else.
Deadlines
Arizona filing windows
General timing only. Rules and case law change, and post-judgment motions can shift a date. Confirm against the current rules and the docket in your case before relying on any of these.
Notice of appeal (criminal)
Generally 20 days after entry of the judgment and sentence
Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.3
Of-right post-conviction relief (plea cases)
Generally 90 days after entry of judgment and sentence
Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.4
Petition for review to the Arizona Supreme Court
Generally 30 days after the Court of Appeals decision
Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.19
Federal habeas petition
One year from the final state judgment, with limited tolling
28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)
Where We Appear
The courts that decide Arizona cases
Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One
Phoenix. Appeals from Maricopa, Yuma, Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai, La Paz, and Navajo County cases.
Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two
Tucson. Appeals from Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, Greenlee, and Gila County cases.
Arizona Supreme Court
Discretionary review of Court of Appeals decisions, plus direct review in limited circumstances.
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
Federal habeas review after Rule 32 remedies are exhausted.
What We Challenge
Issues we raise on appeal
- Suppression rulings and Fourth Amendment challenges
- Jury instruction and verdict form error
- Sentencing error, including aggravated and consecutive terms
- Ineffective assistance of counsel developed under Rule 32
- Prosecutorial misconduct and withheld evidence
- Newly discovered evidence and DNA testing requests
What Happens First
Three things we do before anything is filed
01
Fix the deadline
We pull the judgment and docket, confirm the entry date, and identify which Arizona window is actually open. If the window has closed, we say so plainly instead of filing something that cannot succeed.
02
Read the record
Transcripts, rulings, jury instructions, and the sentencing record are reviewed for preserved error. What was not preserved determines whether a post-conviction route is needed instead.
03
Price the work
You receive a written flat-fee quote and scope before the engagement begins, so the cost of the appeal is known while you are still deciding whether to pursue it.
Arizona Questions
Answers before you call
How long do I have to file an Arizona appeal?
A criminal notice of appeal is generally due within 20 days after entry of the judgment and sentence under Rule 31.3. There are narrow routes to relief after that date, but they are difficult. The judgment date controls, so confirm it on the docket rather than relying on memory.
What is an of-right proceeding?
It is the post-conviction proceeding available to defendants who pleaded guilty or no contest, treated as a substitute for a direct appeal. Under Rule 32 it generally must be started within 90 days of the judgment and sentence, and it is often the only review available in a plea case.
Which division handles my appeal?
It depends on the county where the case was decided. Maricopa County cases go to Division One in Phoenix; Pima and Pinal County cases go to Division Two in Tucson. The rules and the briefing schedule are the same, but the courthouse and the judges are not.
Do you handle both state and federal review?
Yes. We handle the state appeal or Rule 32 proceeding and, where federal constitutional claims survive, the habeas petition in the District of Arizona. Doing both in one office keeps the record consistent between the two.
Talk To An Appellate Lawyer
Find out where your Arizona case stands.
The initial review is free. Have the judgment, the docket number, and the date of sentencing ready if you can, and we will tell you what is still possible.