Other articles by Paul Davenport:

Arizona teachers protest budget plan's tax cutsAriz. House OKs measure against bias, preferencesGov. Brewer sues over delay in sending budget bills Juries getting new guidance for DUI cases Brewer applies for stimulus education moneySpecial session delayed by Dem walkout back on Election panel orders Phoenix legislator removed from office Calif. utility scraps plan for AZ power lineArizona elections panel orders ouster of lawmakerAriz. Legislature OKs plan to close budget gap

Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator General
A1 Communications
Cable Techs Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION

PHOENIX — A judge who had been due to rule on the constitutionality of Arizona's legislative district map has been granted a 60-day extension to review evidence from a trial conducted nearly three years ago.

Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor signed an order dated Sept. 15 authorizing the extra time for Judge Kenneth Fields of Maricopa County Superior Court to review evidence from a nonjury trial conducted over a month's span in late 2003.

Fields ruled in early 2004 that the legislative map was unconstitutional, but the Arizona Court of Appeals in 2005 overturned his ruling and ordered him to use different legal standards when considering the case again.

After further proceedings, Fields took the case under advisement after a hearing July 21 and had been due to rule within 60 days, a period that ended Tuesday. McGregor granted Fields' request for an extension until Nov. 15.

McGregor said Fields considered the case complex. "While he has previously reviewed the exhibits in the first trial, Judge Fields states the need to re-evaluate the evidence in light of the Court of Appeals' decision remanding the matter back to him in the Superior Court," McGregor's order said.

Court officials declined to release Fields' request to McGregor for an extension. They cited a court rule that permits nondisclosure of certain court administrative records.

The current legislative districts were drawn by the state Independent Redistricting Commission, with virtually identical versions of the map being used in elections in 2002, 2004 and this year.

Hispanic Democrats said the commission did not include enough districts winnable by either major party, and Fields agreed. But the Court of Appeals said he should have given the commission more leeway.