The Arizona Supreme Court issued its latest in a series of Orders governing judicial proceedings impacted by COVID 19. On November 10, 2021, Chief Justice Robert Brutinel signed Administrative Order 2021-072. This new order replaces Order 2021-109.

In it, the Supreme Court continues to empower local presiding judges to adopt or suspend any local rule as needed to address the current public health emergency in cooperation with local public health officials. But notably, the Court lifts the year old suspension of rules that allow for a change of judge as a matter of right. There are some limitations - the prohibition on asking for a change of judge remains in place in counties with fewer than three regular Superior Court judges (Apache, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, and Santa Cruz), and in other municipal/justice courts where there are inadequate judicial resources.

In all other counties, however, including Cochise, Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties, the suspension of the rules allowing for change of judge as a matter of right is lifted.