Compensation for erroneous convictions may now be paid only from a dedicated fund, with the state not liable beyond what that fund holds, while the law also renames and moves control of a police equipment fund, raises a prison building transfer, and adds new court reporting.
Official title: criminal justice; 2026-2027
- September 12, 2026
- Applies retroactively to after December 31, 2025: Limits on paying erroneous conviction compensation
- First court collections report due December 31, 2026: Administrative Office of the Courts annual report
- Delayed to take effect after June 30, 2028 (was June 30, 2027): Provisions from Laws 2022, chapter 311 (section 41-1712 changes and title 41, chapter 12, article 4.1)
What changes
BeforeThe erroneous convictions fund pays claims for compensation for erroneous convictions.
NowNo state agency, board, commission or department may use any other fund or source to pay this compensation, and the state is not liable for any amount beyond the money available in the erroneous convictions fund. This applies retroactively to after December 31, 2025.
BeforeThe peace officer training equipment fund, run by the state treasurer, could be used only for peace officer equipment.
NowIt is renamed the law enforcement equipment fund, is run by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, and may be used only for law enforcement equipment and administrative costs. The $9 traffic diversion surcharge ($4 share) and $4 traffic penalty assessment still go into it.
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NowBy December 31, 2026 and every year after, the Administrative Office of the Courts must report to state leaders on collecting restitution, fines, fees, surcharges and assessments, including amounts ordered and collected, collection rates, costs, net collections, and how many times people were jailed for nonpayment and total days served.
BeforeThe state Department of Corrections director had to move $2,500,000 each year from the corrections fund to the prison building renewal fund.
NowThe yearly transfer is $12,500,000.
BeforeThe annual inmate transition program report was due July 31, with a separate September 30 report on cost reductions.
NowOne combined report, including cost reductions (at least $17 per inmate per day) and participants who did not get early release, is due November 30, with a copy also going to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Who it affects
- People seeking compensation for erroneous convictions
- People ordered to pay court fines, fees or restitution (through new reporting)
- Inmates in the transition program (through reporting changes)
- Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
- State treasurer
- Administrative Office of the Courts
- State Department of Corrections
- State agencies, boards and commissions
- Police and sheriff agencies that may receive equipment funding
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- How much money is in the erroneous convictions fund or what happens to claims that exceed it
- What the delayed 2022 provisions (section 41-1712 and article 4.1) do
- What the repealed section 41-3026.11 covered
- What the old civil rights division section said, and what happens to the civil rights advisory board removed from the article heading
- How the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission will distribute law enforcement equipment money
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.