The Arizona Board of Legal Specialization identifies lawyers who have demonstrated superior knowledge, skill, integrity, professionalism, and competence in a specific area of law, to better serve the public.
REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD CERTIFICATION IN CRIMINAL LAW IN ARIZONA?
To qualify for a criminal law certification, an attorney must:
- Be licensed to practice law for at least 7 years
- Be licensed in Arizona for at least 2 years
- Be engaged in legal service on an annual basis equivalent to at least 50% or more of a full-time practice
- Be of high ethical standards
- Possess excellent peer reviews
- Attend specialized legal education
- Pass a written examination
The attorney’s experience is measured by his/her substantial involvement in the field of Criminal Law, as follows:
- 5 years immediately preceding the application being devoted to 50% of a full-time practice to criminal law matters, and
- During that period serving as a principal counsel of record in at least 125 additional criminal matters
- Basic Experience Requirements of
- 10 Criminal felony jury trials, in at least 5 of which a serious felony offense was tried
- 15 Evidentiary or other hearings which involved substantial contested issues of law or fact
- Any combination of at least 5: petition to answer, appeals, petition for post-conviction relief, and motion to vacate
HOW LONG DOES AN ATTORNEY REMAIN BOARD CERTIFIED?
Certification is for a period of five years, after which time the attorney may apply for recertification. Attorneys must demonstrate that they meet the requirements of continuing legal education and substantial involvement in the specialty field on an ongoing basis.