§ 4.12.2 De Novo Review. The term “de novo,” meaning literally “from (the) new,” applies to the standard of review in which the appellate court examines the claim of error without deference to the trial court’s conclusion. Consequently, it is the most favorable standard for an appellant. State v. Buccini, 167 Ariz. 550, 557, 810 P.2d 178, 185 (1991) (when appellate court reviews a question de novo, it “need not accord any special deference to the trial judge’s findings”).
The most common application of de novo review is to questions of law. See State v. Smith, 219 Ariz. 132, 134, ¶ 10, 194 P.3d 399, 401 (2008); State v. Stroud, 209 Ariz. 410, 414, ¶ 18, 103 P.3d 912, 916 (2005); State v. Febles, 210 Ariz. 589, 592, ¶ 8, 115 P.3d 629, 632 (App. 2005). Thus, interpretation of constitutions, statutes, and rules are all reviewed de novo. See State ex rel. Montgomery v. Harris, 234 Ariz. 343, 344, ¶ 8, 322 P.3d 160, 161 (2014) (statute); State v. Lang, 234 Ariz. 462, 466, ¶ 14, 323 P.3d 740, 744 (App. 2014) (court rules); State v. Payne, 233 Ariz. 484, 505, ¶ 68, 314 P.3d 1239, 1260 (2013) (statute); State v. Boyston, 231 Ariz. 539, 549, ¶ 48, 298 P.3d 887, 897 (2013) (constitution and statute) (citing State v. Dann, 220 Ariz. 351, 369, ¶ 96, 207 P.3d 604, 622 (2009)); State v. Roque, 213 Ariz. 193, 205, ¶ 21, 141 P.3d 368, 380 (2006) (scope of rule); State v. Taylor, 216 Ariz. 327, 333-34, ¶¶ 17-24, 166 P.3d 118, 124-25 (App. 2007) (statute and rule). Questions of law subject to de novo review have included:
· The construction of a superior court administrative order. State v. Soria, 217 Ariz. 101, 102, ¶ 5, 170 P.3d 710, 711 (App. 2007).
· The constitutionality and applicability of...
