The zombie appeal of Mark Finchem’s unsuccessful Election Contest of last year’s Secretary of State race is back on hold, as his attorney seems to expect to be sanctioned in Superior Court for the case.

The parties jointly asked for the stay of the appeal, which was granted. However, the wording of the Motion makes it clear that Finchem’s attorney, Dan McCauley, is preparing for Judge Melissa Iyer Julian to levy sanctions against him and/or his client. (“The Parties are awaiting a final judgment from the superior court on the sanctions issue. Once that occurs, undersigned Mr. Finchem intends to appeal the superior court’s sanction order.”)

After the entire case was dismissed before trial in December, Finchem filed a Notice of Appeal. As detailed earlier by Arizona’s Law, McCauley was then awaiting further instructions from his client and the appeal appeared to be abandoned and dismissed. The courts gave it a new life.

Judge Julian’s ruling on sanctions could come at any time.

Finchem and/or his attorneys are also facing sanctions in two other cases brought before the November election. One was a defamation case he, Rep. Paul Gosar and Anthony Kern filed about January 6 allegations, and the second is a case he and Kari Lake filed to try to force hand-counting last November.

“AZ Law” includes articles, commentaries and updates about opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts, etc. AZ Law is founded by Phoenix attorney Paul Weich, and joins Arizona’s Politics on the internet. 

AZ Law airs on non-profit Sun Sounds of Arizona, a statewide reading service that provides audio access to printed material for people who cannot hold or read print material due to a disability. If you know someone who could benefit from this 24/7 service, please let them know about member-supported Sun Sounds. And, YOU can donate or listen here. 

Previous episodes of AZ Law can be streamed or downloaded here, or wherever you get your podcasts.