State v. Hanger

OPINION

LIVERMORE, Judge.

Stripped of the rhetoric and invective with which the appellate briefs are filled, the narrow issue in this case is whether the trial judge abused his discretion by dismissing criminal charges with prejudice when, during jury selection of what was anticipated to be a three- to four-month trial, Cochise County announced that it did not intend to pay any furhter defense costs and fees as due or for the foreseeable future.

The state does not contest the power of the trial judge to dismiss. State v. Fendler, 127 Ariz. 458, 622 P.2d 17 (App.1980); State v. Hannah, 118 Ariz.…