Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ai assisted filing

The filing party must ensure that a document contains no hallucinated cases, statutes, regulations, facts, or procedural assertions.

AI systems sometimes generate inaccurate or fictional material (“hallucinations”). It is the duty of the filing party to ensure that no hallucinated cases, statutes, regulations, facts, or procedural assertions appear in the document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

Must include

certificate of conference

Discovery motions must include a certification stating when and how the meet-and-confer occurred and which issues remain unresolved.

Motions must include a certification specifying: o the date of the meet and confer, o how it took place (telephone, video, or in-person), and o the specific issues that remain unresolved.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ai assisted filing

Filings must be tailored to the case’s facts, issues, and procedural posture and must not contain AI-generated boilerplate, generic discussions, or irrelevant legal standards.

Filings must be narrowly tailored to the facts, issues, and procedural posture of the specific case. AI generated boilerplate, generic discussions, or irrelevant legal standards are not acceptable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Filing

Attorneys and self-represented litigants remain responsible for every filing regardless of drafting method; improper reliance on AI does not excuse rule violations.

Regardless of the drafting method, the attorney or self represented litigant remains fully responsible for the content, accuracy, and compliance of all filings. Improper reliance on AI will not excuse rule violations.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Extension request

Must include

proposed order

Longer extensions and extensions affecting court-ordered deadlines or hearings require an e-filed motion or stipulation with a Word-format electronic order form.

For longer extensions, or those affecting Court-ordered deadlines or hearings, please e-file a motion or stipulation, lodging with it a Word format electronic form of order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Courtesy copy exhibits

When sending courtesy-copy exhibits to division staff, counsel and self-represented parties must affirm by email that the copies accurately match the exhibits provided to the Clerk for the hearing or trial.

Counsel and self-represented Parties submitting courtesy copy exhibits to this division's staff shall affirm in the transmitting email that they are accurate electronic copies of the exhibits provided to the Clerk of the Superior Court, via CaseCenter or otherwise, for the hearing or trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

E filed pleading

Must include

exhibit list

An e-filed pleading with more than five exhibits must include bookmarks to every attached exhibit in the pleading’s PDF.

All e-filed pleadings, including, but not limited to, summary judgment pleadings, that contain more than 5 exhibits shall contain bookmarks to all exhibits attached to your pleading(s). All bookmarks must be contained in your e-filed pleading in pdf format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Expedited treatment request

Must include

proposed order

An expedited-treatment request must describe prior efforts to expedite and include a proposed order providing a response date, deadline, or other opportunity for the opposing side to be heard.

If expedited treatment is requested the request should state what has already been done to attempt to expedite the matter (personal consultation with opposing counsel, email service on opposing party, etc.). It should also include a proposed form of order that provides a response date or deadline or some other provision for the other sides right to be heard.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

caption

A time-sensitive or genuinely emergency or expedited motion must display “expedited consideration requested” to the right of the caption and state the basis for expedited relief.

If you are filing a motion which is time sensitive or truly requires emergency or expedited consideration, you must include the phrase "expedited consideration requested" to the right of the caption, and you must state in the motion the basis for your request for expedited relief.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

legal argument

Motions should be written, and the Court will not consider a contested motion unless all parties have had an opportunity to respond in writing.

All motions should be made in writing - the Court will not consider a contested motion unless all parties have been provided an opportunity to respond in writing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

An applicable proposed order must be lodged in Word format.

E-file all pleadings and lodge a proposed order, when applicable, in Word.

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties may not audio- or video-record virtual or in-person hearings.

Parties are prohibited from recording by audio or video any virtual or in person hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

For Rule 26(d) procedures and many other motions involving disputes or sanctions, the moving party must attach a separate good-faith conference statement; consultation must be in person or by telephone, not merely by letter or email.

Good Faith Certificate: Please remember that when using the procedures under Rule 26(d), or many other Rules governing the filing of motions, resolution of disputes, or seeking of sanctions, the moving party is required to “attach to the motion a separate statement certifying and demonstrating that the movant has tried in good faith to resolve the issue by conferring with, or attempting to confer with – the party against whom the motion is directed. The consultation must be in person or by telephone and not merely by letter or email.” Rule 7.1(h), Ariz.R.Civ.P. (emphasis added).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint filing

Documents required or ordered to be filed jointly must be filed jointly, unless the opposing party fails to participate in good faith; then a party may file separately and notify the Court why.

Joint Filings: When a rule requires a document to be filed jointly, or the Court so orders, the document must be filed jointly. If an opposing party fails to participate in the joint filing in good faith, a party may file the document separately and notify the Court of the opposing party’s conduct or inaction that necessitated the separate filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion seeking expedited consideration must include the opposing party's position or an avowal explaining that the position was sought reasonably in advance but unavailable; otherwise, it will not receive expedited consideration.

For motions seeking expedited consideration, it is the Movant's responsibility to ascertain and include the opposing party's position or an avowal that the opponent's position was sought reasonably in advance of the filing date but was not available at the time the motion was filed. Motions lacking this information will not receive expedited consideration.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

An expedited-treatment request should describe prior efforts to expedite and include a proposed order providing a response deadline or another opportunity for the other side to be heard.

If expedited treatment is requested the request should state what has already been done to attempt to expedite the matter (personal consultation with opposing counsel, email service on opposing party, etc.). It should also include a proposed form of order that provides a response date or deadline or some other provision for the other sides right to be heard.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Submit an order with a stipulation or motion stating the precise relief requested or stipulated to.

Please provide orders for stipulations and motions: If you have a stipulation to a basic extension or other motion, please submit an order with the motion that sets forth the precise relief you are requesting/stipulating to.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint pretrial statement

Provide the Joint Pretrial Statement at least two weeks before the Final Trial Management Conference and include a summary of facts to be read to the jury.

• Joint Pretrial Statement must be provided no later than two weeks prior to the Final Trial Management Conference, and include a summary of facts to be read to the jury.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Verdict forms

Provide proposed verdict forms to the Court five business days before trial; after approval, they are discussed and provided to the clerk, who prepares the forms.

Proposed verdict forms are required to be provided to the Court Five (5) business days before trial. They will be discussed and provided to the clerk once approved. The clerk of the court prepares the verdict forms.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury instructions

Provide proposed jury instructions before the Final Trial Management Conference; any non-RAJI instruction must include a supporting case citation.

• Counsel should provide the Court with proposed jury instructions prior to the FTMC. The Court will provide counsel with a draft version of instructions before the jury selection. If an instruction is not a RAJI, the proposed instruction must be accompanied by case citation supporting the instruction requested.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A request for a virtual appearance must be made by motion and explain why the appearance is necessary.

Virtual appearances may be permitted after the proper filing of a motion requesting such an appearance if deemed appropriate by the given facts. Please provide information outlining why you believe a virtual appearance is necessary to explain why the Court should deviate from its in-person requirement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A Form of Order must be lodged, not filed, with every motion.

You must submit (lodge – not file) a Form of Order with all motions.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

caption

A time-sensitive or genuinely emergency or expedited motion must place “expedited consideration requested” to the right of the caption and state the basis for expedited relief.

If you are filing a motion which is time sensitive or truly requires emergency or expedited consideration, you must include the phrase "expedited consideration requested" to the right of the caption, and you must state in the motion the basis for your request for expedited relief.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must specifically state the exact title of the motion being ruled upon.

Please be specific in your proposed orders by specifically stating the exact title of the motion being ruled upon.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of service

In cases with multiple parties, a motion must indicate that it was sent to all parties.

If your case includes multiple parties (others involved in your case), your motion indicate that it has been sent to all parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

When applicable, provide a proposed order in Word format.

Provide a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed jury questionnaire

After a trial is assigned to the judge, provide the Court with a proposed jury questionnaire.

I will use an electronic jury questionnaire. Once your trial is assigned to me, please provide me with your proposed jury questionnaire.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

If a proposed order applies to a motion but is not submitted with it, the Court may reject the motion until the proposed order is provided.

If a proposed order is applicable to the motion, and it is not submitted with the motion, the Court reserves the right to reject your motion until it is accompanied by a proposed form of order.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

When applicable, provide a proposed order in Word format.

Please provide a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Motions should clearly identify the requested relief and the authority supporting it.

Motions should clearly state the relief requested and the authority of the requested relief.

WARNING

Applies to

Remote appearance request

Counsel must obtain court permission to appear remotely.

Counsel must seek court permission if requesting a remote appearance.

WARNING

Applies to

Joint pretrial statement

The Joint Pretrial Statement should identify agreed and disputed issues and cite helpful rules, statutes, or cases.

In the Joint Pretrial Statement:   1. Please identify all issues upon which agreements have been reached, and also identify what issues need to be decided.   2. If there is a rule, statute or case law that will help me make my decision, cite it in the Joint Pretrial Statement.

WARNING

Applies to

Brief

Citations must appear in the body of a brief, not in footnotes.

All citations shall be included in the body of the brief and not in footnotes.

WARNING

Filers using AI are expected to verify citations and authorities, confirm factual support, request verifiable citations, and recognize that AI cannot provide legal advice.

To reduce errors (and minimize the risk of sanctions), the Court expects filers utilizing AI to:   A. Independently and carefully verify every citation and legal authority using official or reliable legal sources. Again, the party using AI is responsible for false citations.   B. Confirm all facts are true and supported by evidence in the record.   C. Tell the AI tool to provide only real and verifiable citations with links to the cases when possible.   D. Remember: AI tools are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice.

WARNING

Applies to

Statement of discovery dispute

Must include

certificate of conference

A Statement of Discovery Dispute should include a certification of compliance with Rule 37's meet-and-confer requirement.

The Statement of Discovery Dispute must be in Times New Roman 13 point font. You should attach a certification of compliance with the "meet and confer" requirement of Rule 37, Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure.

WARNING

Self-represented litigants are expected to comply with all court rules.

All attorneys and litigants will be treated the same. Self-represented litigants are expected to comply with all court rules.

WARNING

Applies to

Discovery objection

A burdensomeness objection should show what the objecting party offered to produce if the other party assumes the burden; a protective order may support an objection based on privilege or sensitivity.

When you are objecting to a discovery request because it is too burdensome, you should couple that objection with a showing what you have offered to produce if the other party assumes the burden. If the objection is based on privilege or the information is too sensitive, you may also be more persuasive if you submit a protective order with your objection.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

Distinguish an oral-argument request from an evidentiary-hearing request in the caption.

Also, consider whether you need an oral argument, or an evidentiary hearing, and make sure you distinguish what you really want within the caption request.

WARNING

The listed COVID-19 procedures apply through at least May 29, 2020, to cases with hearings scheduled in Courtroom 303.

Through at least May 29, 2020, the following procedures are applicable to cases with hearings scheduled in Courtroom 303 (Judge Whitten):

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

The court will not look in the body of a filing for a request for oral argument.

I will not look for that request in the body.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion

If you think oral argument is necessary, you should indicate that in the caption.

If you think oral argument is necessary, you should indicate that in the caption.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

Motions should state the requested relief and the authority supporting it.

Motions should clearly state the relief requested and the authority for the requested relief.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint case management plan

Counsel should advise the Court at the Complex Case Scheduling Conference or in the Joint Case Management Plan if a co-defendant has other pending active or probation-violation matters.

If a co-defendant in a multi-defendant case has other matters pending (either active cases or probation violation cases), counsel should so advise the Court at the Complex Case Scheduling Conference or in the Joint Case Management Plan.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint case management plan

The Joint Case Management Plan must expressly address 16 enumerated issues including proposed trial date, discovery schedule, motion schedule, and plea negotiations.

No less than two working days before the first Scheduling Conference, the state and defendant(s) shall file a Joint Case Management Plan expressly addressing the following issues: 1. Proposed trial date; 2. Length of trial and number of witnesses; 3. Final Trial Management Conference date; 4. Brief summary of alleged facts; 5. Discovery production schedule; 6. Witness interview schedule; 7. List of motions needing evidentiary hearing (length of hearing); 8. Schedule for filing motions, responses and replies; 9. Schedule for Motions in Limine; 10. Expert witness issues (dates for defense to disclose experts and opinions, if different date than called for in Rule 15); 11. Special investigative needs; 12. General status of plea negotiations; 13. Plea cut-off date; 14. Settlement conference date; 15. Interpretation, translation, and transcription needs; 16. Schedule of regular Case Management Conferences.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Case management report

Counsel for the state and defendants must file a Joint Case Management Report at least 2 working days before each Case Management Conference.

shall order counsel for the state and defendant(s) to file a Joint Case Management Report at least two (2) working days before each conference.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Pretrial statement

Counsel for the state and defendants must file a Joint Pre-Trial Statement at least 2 working days before the Final Trial Management Conference.

shall order counsel for the state and defendant(s) to file a Joint Pre-Trial Statement at least two (2) working days before the Final Trial Management Conference.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Expedited relief request

Requests for expedited consideration should be used sparingly, and any request for expedited relief should state the opposing party’s position.

Requests for expedited consideration should be used sparingly. Any request for expedited relief should state the position of the opposing party.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Complex case designation order

When a case is designated complex, a minute entry similar to the Complex Case Designation & Case Management Order (Attachment "A") shall be issued.

A minute entry similar to the attached Complex Case Designation & Case Management Order (Attachment “A”) shall be issued when a case is designated as complex.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Applies to

Minute entry

A minute entry similar to the attached Trial Date Setting & Complex Case Management Schedule (Attachment “B”) should be issued at the Scheduling Conference.

A minute entry similar to the attached Trial Date Setting & Complex Case Management Schedule (Attachment “B”) should be issued at the Scheduling Conference.