Highlights
- HB 2265 passed both chambers with bipartisan support and now awaits Gov. Katie Hobbs' signature.
- The bill would eliminate fees defendants pay for jury trials, appeals and court-appointed legal counsel.
- The Joint Legislative Budget Committee projected a $3.7 million reduction in court revenue statewide.
- Maricopa County reported collecting no funds from counsel, jury and appeals fees in the past five years.
A bipartisan bill that would strip Arizona courts of their authority to charge criminal defendants for jury trials, appeals and public defense representation reached Gov. Katie Hobbs' desk after passing both chambers with broad support, the Arizona Capitol Times reported Friday.
House Bill 2265, sponsored by Rep. Neal Carter, R-San Tan Valley, passed on June 10. Under current law, county courts can charge defendants a maximum $25 fee to assess indigency, then require repayment of a "reasonable amount" for public legal services. Courts can also levy jury fees and filing fees, and the Arizona Supreme Court charges fees for each filing, appearance, answer and response on appeal.
Proponents, including Stand for Children Arizona, the Justice Action Network and the Fines and Fees Justice Center, argued the fee structure effectively prices defendants out of their constitutional rights. Rebecca Gau, executive director of Stand for Children Arizona, said the fees deter defendants from taking cases to trial and restrict access to the justice system. "Essentially your access to 'innocent until proven guilty' is dependent upon your income," Gau said.
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee projected HB 2265 would reduce court revenue by $3.7 million. The County Supervisors Association of Arizona warned the cut arrives without any appropriation to replace lost funds, with legislative director Jacob Emnett arguing the state has built a court system reliant on fines, fees and county tax dollars while lawmakers increasingly reduce revenues without replacement.
Advocates at the Fines and Fees Justice Center pushed back on the $3.7 million figure, noting it omits the administrative cost of collecting those fees. Maricopa County, the only county to respond to a request for data, reported collecting no funds from counsel, jury and appeals fees over the past five years, suggesting the real budget impact may be smaller than projected.
The bill follows a 2023 effort that eliminated similar fees for juvenile defendants. The governor has not yet indicated whether she will sign or veto the legislation.
Sources
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- azcapitoltimes.com retrieved 19/06/2026 19:26
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 19/06/2026 19:26. Every claim traces to a source.
