What is the minimum number of justices required on the Arizona Supreme Court?

The minimum number of justices required on the Arizona Supreme Court is five. This structure is established by the Arizona Constitution, which mandates that there must be at least five justices to ensure a sufficient range of perspectives and legal expertise in decision-making. This arrangement is designed to facilitate thorough deliberation on cases, allowing for more balanced and well-considered opinions. The requirement for five justices helps to maintain the integrity of the judicial process, promoting fair adjudication and reducing the likelihood of tie votes in decisions. In Arizona, the court also has the discretion to increase the number of justices to seven or more, but five remains the baseline necessary to operate as a valid judicial body.