How to Appeal a Criminal Conviction in Arizona

Arizona's Criminal Appeals System

Arizona has a multi-tiered appellate system with clear rules and strict deadlines. Whether you were convicted in superior court, justice court, or municipal court, you have the right to challenge that conviction — but you must act quickly.

Step 1: Notice of Appeal

For felony convictions in Arizona Superior Court, you must file a Notice of Appeal within 20 days of sentencing to pursue a direct appeal to the Arizona Court of Appeals. This deadline is firm.

For misdemeanor convictions in justice court or municipal court, the appeal goes to the superior court and must be filed within 14 days.

What the Arizona Court of Appeals Reviews

The Court of Appeals reviews the trial record for legal error, including:

The Court of Appeals does not hear new evidence or re-evaluate the credibility of witnesses.

After the Court of Appeals

If the Court of Appeals rules against you, you can petition the Arizona Supreme Court for review. The Supreme Court has discretionary jurisdiction for most cases and accepts only a small percentage of petitions.

Arizona Rule 32 — Post-Conviction Relief

After the direct appeal process, defendants can challenge their conviction through a Rule 32 petition for post-conviction relief. Rule 32 allows claims based on:

Important deadline: A Rule 32 petition must be filed within 90 days of sentencing for non-capital cases in which no direct appeal was taken. If a direct appeal was taken, the deadline runs from the mandate issuing from the Court of Appeals.

Plea Convictions and Rule 32

In Arizona, defendants who pleaded guilty can generally only challenge their conviction through Rule 32. The grounds are limited: unconstitutional plea, ineffective assistance of counsel in the plea process, newly discovered evidence, or a change in law.

Federal Habeas Corpus

After exhausting Arizona state remedies, defendants can file a federal habeas petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. AEDPA's one-year deadline applies from the date the conviction became final.

Talk to an Appellate Lawyer Before Your Deadline

Arizona's 20-day Notice of Appeal deadline for felony cases is one of the shortest in the country. If you or a loved one was recently sentenced, contact an appellate attorney immediately.