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AZ SB1426

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/29/2020

Primary Sponsor

David Farnsworth

Click for details

Origin

Senate

Fifty-fourth Legislature - Second Regular Session (2020)

AI Summary

  • Requires Arizona Supreme Court to provide due process in attorney disciplinary proceedings, including disclosure of complaint responses to complainants.

  • Establishes right to jury trial in superior court for attorneys challenging State Bar of Arizona disciplinary decisions, with ten-person jury required for unanimous verdict to disbar using "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard.

  • Limits fees for jury hearing to $500 and requires State Bar to notify all attorneys of jury trial option; failure to notify renders State Bar decisions void and unenforceable.

  • Prohibits perjury, false evidence, and withholding exculpatory evidence in disciplinary proceedings, making violations prosecutable as felonies under title 13 with exclusive prosecutorial discretion in grand jury.

  • Mandates attorneys swear oath to U.S. and Arizona Constitutions, requires mediation as preferred dispute resolution method, and permits juries to sanction parties up to $2,000 for abuse of process.

Legislative Description

Attorney discipline; due process; juries

General Provisions

Last Action

Senate read second time

1/30/2020

Full Bill Text

No bill text available