Courts may no longer charge people any fees or repayment related to having a public defender, and the law now bars jury fees, appellate filing fees and a jury-trial filing fee for criminal defendants, while counties pay for appeal records and transcripts.
Official title: courts; fees; assessments
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeAlthough public defender services were free, the court could order an indigent administrative assessment of up to $25 and require a defendant or other party given appointed counsel to repay the county a reasonable amount for legal services, considering their finances.
NowThe court may not make any assessments related to the appointment or services of a public defender, including an indigent administrative assessment or reimbursement to the county for the cost of legal services. Reimbursement in guardianship or conservatorship cases is still ordered under a separate law.
BeforePresentence reports by adult probation officers looked at a convicted person's ability to help pay for their legal defense and included a recommendation on how much they should contribute.
NowPresentence reports no longer cover ability to pay for legal defense or include a recommendation on contributing to defense costs.
BeforeA jury fee, including juror travel costs, was included in the judgment and charged as court costs in superior court, without the text limiting it to civil cases.
NowThe jury fee applies in civil cases only, and a jury fee may not be imposed in a criminal case. The Arizona Supreme Court also may not impose its additional filing fee (which goes to the fair jury improvement fund) on filings for a jury trial in a criminal case.
BeforeThe cost of a certified copy of the record on appeal or the court reporter's transcript was charged to the county only when the appellant filed a sworn statement that they could not pay and it was found true.
NowThe cost of the certified record on appeal or the reporter's transcript is a charge on the county where the appellant was convicted, with no sworn statement of inability to pay required.
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NowA court may not impose an appellate filing fee on a criminal defendant.
Who it affects
- People charged with crimes
- People represented by a public defender or court-appointed lawyer
- Criminal defendants who appeal
- Counties
- Courts and court clerks
- Adult probation officers
- Arizona Supreme Court
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether assessments or reimbursement orders made before this law takes effect must still be paid
- How counties will replace money that public defender assessments used to provide
- Whether the changes apply to cases already pending
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.