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Arizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Family Law
- Parental Rights
The Paternity Form Named Another Man. Could the Biological Father Still Have His Own Day in Court?
An Arizona paternity dispute explains why a man who was not part of a signed acknowledgment could bring his own case—and why getting into court did not decide who would prevail.
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- Civil Litigation
- Bar Complaints
Reporting a Lawyer Is Protected. Is Filing a False Report Protected Too?
Statements reporting lawyer misconduct to the State Bar remain protected. The Arizona Supreme Court drew a distinction between those statements and a claim that someone maliciously set a baseless proceeding in motion.
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- Family Law
- Parental Rights
You Did Everything the Reunification Plan Asked. Can the State Still Terminate Your Parental Rights?
Completing services can be important evidence in a parental-rights case. The Arizona Supreme Court explained where that progress must be considered when termination is based on past neglect.
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- Insurance
- Property Insurance
You Noticed the Problem Years Ago. Does Your Property Insurance Still Cover the Damage?
Insurance exists to cover risks, including some that can be anticipated. A new Arizona Supreme Court decision explains why foreseeable damage and a loss known to be certain are different questions.
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- Criminal Law
- Grand Jury Records
The Charges Were Dropped. Can You Use Your Grand Jury Transcript in a Later Civil Case?
Dismissed criminal charges do not automatically make grand jury transcripts available for use in a later lawsuit. The Arizona Supreme Court explained how courts must weigh a former defendant’s need for that evidence against continuing secrecy interests.
Read insightArizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Medical Malpractice
- Expert Witnesses
Which Doctor Can Testify in a Malpractice Case Depends on What the Claim Is Actually About
A medical negligence case can turn on whether an expert has the right qualifications. The Arizona Supreme Court said courts must identify the care allegedly missed before deciding which specialty the expert needs.
Read insightArizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Criminal Law
- Sentencing
A New Judge Arrives Only for Sentencing. Must They Read the Trial Transcripts First?
A judge who takes over after trial still needs reliable information before sentencing. But the Arizona Supreme Court held that the rule governing interrupted proceedings did not require transcript review in this case.
Read insightArizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Employment Law
- Unemployment Benefits
Who Argues Against You in an Unemployment Appeal — and Who Pays for Your Lawyer?
A former employer’s absence did not prevent DES from defending an unemployment denial. The Arizona Supreme Court also addressed a limit on attorney-fee recovery while leaving benefits eligibility undecided.
Read insightArizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Criminal Law
- Clergy Privilege
When Can a Private Talk With Clergy Be Used as Evidence in a Criminal Case?
A private conversation with clergy does not automatically qualify for protection from disclosure in a criminal case. The Arizona Supreme Court explained why the purpose of the conversation matters.
Read insightArizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Tax Law
- Property Taxes
The Trees Are Why It Is a Farm. Should They Be Taxed Twice?
Arizona’s Supreme Court held that qualifying orchard trees and vineyard vines must be valued with the agricultural land under the statutory income method, without a separate market-value addition for the crops.
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- Personal Injury
- Service of Process
Everyone Knew About the Lawsuit. For the Court, That Was Not the Same as Being Served.
Receiving lawsuit papers and being properly served are different things. The Arizona Supreme Court explains why a company’s later participation could not fix an invalid default entered earlier.
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- Constitutional Law
- Religious Freedom
Arizona's Child Abuse Reporting Law Has a Clergy Exception. Who Decides When It Applies?
Arizona’s reporting law contains an exception for certain communications with clergy. The Supreme Court explained the exception’s requirements and why courts generally cannot decide whether clergy correctly interpreted religious doctrine.
Read insightArizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Real Estate Law
- HOA Lawsuits
Your HOA Maintains the Roof. Can It Sue Over a Roof It Doesn't Own?
A homeowners’ association responsible for roofs and exterior walls can face construction problems on property owned by individual residents. This ruling explains why the association in this case could pursue its claim.
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- Administrative Law
- Public Records
Your Taxes Pay for the Police Contract. Can You See It Being Negotiated?
A dispute over police labor negotiations explains how Arizona courts weigh public access against a city’s claimed need for confidentiality—and why general concerns are not enough.
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- Administrative Law
- Election Rulemaking
Somebody Writes the Rulebook for Your Election. How Do They Have to Write It?
Arizona’s election manual follows its own statutory approval process. The Supreme Court explained why the ordinary agency rulemaking process does not provide a basis to invalidate it.
Read insightArizona Supreme Court · Decision
- Family Law
- Attorney-Client Privilege
You Brought Your Mom to the Meeting With Your Lawyer. Is That Conversation Still Private?
A trusted relative’s involvement does not automatically preserve attorney-client privilege. The Supreme Court clarified when another person’s participation is protected and respected reliance on the earlier rule.
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