Opinion ID: 867531
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prior Serious Convictions

Text: ¶ 6 Arizona law provides that a conviction for a prior serious offense constitutes an aggravating circumstance that renders a defendant eligible to receive the death penalty. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(2). The trial judge found that the State had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Cañez had four prior felony convictions. Cañez, 202 Ariz. at 157, ¶ 84, 42 P.3d at 588. Cañez did not contest that these felonies qualify as serious offenses. Id. ¶ 83, 42 P.3d 564. In Ring III, we held that the Sixth Amendment does not require a jury to determine prior convictions under sections 13-703.F.1 and F.2. 204 Ariz. at 555-556, ¶ 55, 65 P.3d at 936-37. Accordingly, we affirm the trial judge's finding that the State proved the aggravating circumstance of four prior serious felony convictions.