Arizona Mock Trial Rules

Key Differences from Federal Rules of Evidence

• Arizona Rule 609 is more restrictive than FRE: prior felony convictions are admissible for impeachment only if the court finds probative value outweighs prejudicial effect, regardless of whether the witness is the defendant
• Arizona does not follow FRE 413–415 (propensity evidence in sexual assault/child molestation cases) and instead relies on Rule 404(c) with distinct procedural requirements
• Arizona Rule 702 adopts a Daubert-like standard for expert testimony admissibility, following the framework established in Logerquist v. McVey (2000) and Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals

Notable Rules

Key Features

• Arizona permits jurors to submit written questions to witnesses during trial under Ariz. R. Civ. P. 39(b)(10)
• Mandatory disclosure system replaces traditional interrogatories in civil cases under Ariz. R. Civ. P. 26.1
• Arizona uses a bifurcated trial structure in capital cases with separate guilt and penalty phases

• Civil juries consist of 8 jurors; verdict requires agreement of at least 6 of 8
• Criminal felony juries consist of 12 jurors; 8 jurors for misdemeanor cases
• Jurors may take notes and submit questions to witnesses during trial