J.D. M.M. v. Hon. hegyi/t.D./state of Arizona

Chief Justice BALES,

opinion of the Court.

¶ 1 In a criminal case, a parent who exercises victims’ rights on behalf of a minor child is statutorily entitled to refuse a defense interview. We hold that the parent’s right to refuse an interview does not expire when the victim turns eighteen, but instead continues until the case ends.

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¶ 2 Crime victims cannot “be compelled to submit to an interview ... that is conducted by the defendant, the defendant’s attorney or an agent of the defendant.” A.R.S. § 13-4433(A). A parent or legal guardian may “exercise all of the victims’ rights” on behalf of a…