Trial Court Opinions
Trial courts issue orders (granting a divorce, sentencing a defendant to jail, etc.) and not opinions with precedential value. Click here to see a trial court (Arizona Superior Court) opinion. Traditionally the only way to get trial court opinions was to go to the courthouse but now some are available on Westlaw.
Court of Appeals Opinions
Trial court decisions are reviewed by intermediate appellate courts (Courts of Appeal) which issue opinions that are precedent for trial courts. The party who loses on the trial level can appeal the outcome by arguing that the trial court erred on an issue of law.
Examples:
- Court applied the wrong standard
- Court allowed inadmissible evidence
- Court excluded admissible evidence
The appellate court decides the issue and writes an opinion explaining the reasoning for the decision. The losing party may appeal to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Opinions
Court of Appeal decisions are reviewed by the Supreme Court which issues opinions that are precedent for Courts of Appeal and trial courts. The party who loses at the Court of Appeals level can appeal to the Supreme Court arguing that the court made a mistake on an issue of law. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, it decides the issue and writes an opinion explaining the reasoning for the decision.
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