Arizona

Criminal Procedure

Rule 2.1 – Misdemeanors

(a)Limited Jurisdiction Courts. The State may commence misdemeanor and petty offense actions triable in limited jurisdiction courts by filing with the court:

(1) an Arizona Traffic Ticket and Complaint;
(2) any complaint form approved by the Arizona Supreme Court; or
(3) a complaint under Rule 2.3.
(b)Superior Court. The State may commence a misdemeanor action by filing an indictment or information directly in the superior court. A prosecutor also may commence a misdemeanor action not otherwise triable in the superior court by filing a complaint in the Justice Court under Rule 2.2(b) and then following the procedures applicable in felony cases.
(c)Filing a Motion to Transfer to the Correct Precinct. A party may file a motion to transfer a case to the correct precinct under A.R.S. ยง 22-301 or the court sua sponte may transfer the case. A motion to transfer a case to the correct precinct must be filed, or the court may order a sua sponte transfer, no later than 30 days after arraignment.

Ariz. R. Crim. P. 2.1

Added August 31, 2017, effective January 1, 2018; amended August 26, 2020, effective August 26, 2020; amended December 15, 2020, effective January 1, 2021.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

Former Rule 2.1, relating to misdemeanors, was abrogated effective January 1, 2018.