J.d.; M.m., Petitioners v. the Honorable Hugh Hegyi, Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Arizona, in And…

Summary

The court held that a parent who exercises victims’ rights for a minor child may refuse a defense interview through the final disposition of the criminal charges, even if the child turns eighteen before the case ends. The court reached that conclusion by reading the interview-protection provision in context with the statutory scheme and the purposes of the Victims’ Bill of Rights, including its directive to construe implementing legislation liberally to preserve and protect victims’ rights. The court vacated the court of appeals’ opinion and the superior court’s order and remanded. No separate opinions were filed.