ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB2723: civil case assignment; judges

Sponsor: Representative Toma, LD 22

Committee on Judiciary

Overview

Requires the assignment of a civil trial case to a judge be done by a random, automated means or a formula.

History

All courts are required to automate their business functions. Courts use state-sponsored and authorized automation systems (Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 1-501).

In the Maricopa County Superior Court, the judge is assigned a civil trial case by an automated means or an approved formula. When assigning cases to a judge, the following may be considered:

1) Whether substantive matters have been considered in a case;

2) A judge's familiarity with the case issues;

3) Whether a case is viewed as the lead or principal case; or

4) Other factors serving the interest of the judicial economy (A.R.S.A., Maricopa County, Rule 3.1).

Provisions

1. Requires the assignment of a civil trial case to a judge be done by an automated means or a formula approved by the Supreme Court. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies that the formula is done in a random manner. (Sec. 1)

3. Prohibits the superior court judge from selecting or refusing to accept an assigned case unless extraordinary circumstances exist or a court rule requires or prohibits the assignment. (Sec. 1)

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7. HB 2723

8. Initials LC/DG Page 0 Judiciary

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