VÁSQUEZ, Presiding Judge:
¶ 1 In this special action, petitioner Scott Woodington challenges the determinations of the respondent judge and respondent presiding judge that he was not entitled to a second peremptory challenge to remove the assigned judge after Woodington was arraigned a second time. Finding no abuse of discretion, we accept jurisdiction but deny relief.
¶ 2 In September 2015, Woodington was indicted and arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder. The state later moved to amend the indictment, and Woodington moved to dismiss or, in the alternative, to remand the matter to the grand jury. The respondent judge, Judge Christopher Browning, determined there were "enough areas of concern in the presentation to the Grand Jury" to merit a new presentation and remanded the matter for a redetermination of probable cause. The grand jury returned a new indictment under the same cause number, and, on March 9, 2016, Woodington was again arraigned.
¶ 4 Woodington filed a motion with the respondent presiding judge, Judge Kyle Bryson, arguing the notice was timely and asking that the presiding judge "determine the assignment of judge on th[e] case." The presiding judge denied the motion and this petition for special action followed.
¶ 5 A defendant may only challenge the denial of a motion for a peremptory change of judge pursuant to Rule 10.2 by special action. State v. Ingram, 239 Ariz. 228, ¶ 16, 368 P.3d 936, 940 (App. 2016). Therefore, because Woodington has no remedy by appeal, this matter is appropriate for special-action jurisdiction. See Ariz. R. P. Spec. Act. 1(a).
¶ 6 Woodington contends the respondent judge exceeded his legal authority and failed to perform a duty required by law by failing to transfer his Rule 10.2 motion to the presiding judge. And he argues the respondent judge erred in denying his motion as untimely because it was filed within ten days of his second arraignment.
¶ 7 "In interpreting a rule promulgated by the Arizona Supreme Court, we rely on principles of statutory construction to give effect to the supreme court's intent." Reed v. Burke, 219 Ariz. 447, ¶ 12, 199 P.3d 702, 705 (App. 2008). "If there is `uncertainty about the meaning or interpretation of the [rule]'s terms,' we are required to employ `methods of statutory interpretation that go beyond the [rule]'s literal language,' such as `consideration of the [rule]'s context, language, subject matter, historical background, effects and consequences, and spirit and purpose.'" Hornbeck v. Lusk, 217 Ariz. 581, ¶ 6, 177 P.3d 323, 325 (App. 2008) (alterations in Hornbeck), quoting Estancia Dev. Assocs. v. City of Scottsdale, 196 Ariz. 87, ¶ 11, 993 P.2d 1051, 1054 (App. 1999).
¶ 8 Woodington contends the language of Rule 10.2 is clear and suggests we need not employ other methods of statutory interpretation. He argues "[a]rraignment" in Rule 10.2(c) means any arraignment, including one after a motion pursuant to Rule 12.9, Ariz. R. Crim. P., is granted. The state, in contrast, asserts that "[a]rraignment" refers to the first arraignment in the case, the point at which a judge is assigned. Because the rule's language is reasonably susceptible to both interpretations, we consider other methods of construction to determine our supreme court's intent. See State v. Jurden, 237 Ariz. 423, ¶ 11, 352 P.3d 455, 458-59 (App. 2015).
¶ 9 Rule 10.2(a) provides that "[i]n any criminal case, each side is entitled as a matter of right to a change of judge." This right is exercised by the filing of a notice signed by counsel, avowing the request is made in good faith. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 10.2(b). The rule provides timeframes for filing the notice depending on the stage of the proceedings. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 10.2(c). Rule 10.2(c)(1) requires the notice to be filed within ten days of the "[a]rraignment, if the case is assigned to a judge and the parties are given actual notice of such assignment at or prior to the arraignment." The rule does not include a definite or indefinite article to modify the term "[a]rraignment," but it does make clear that it provides "a" peremptory challenge in "any" criminal case — the language employed to modify each noun is singular. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 10.2(a), (c). Therefore, a defendant is entitled to only one peremptory challenge in a criminal case. See Hill v. Hall, 194 Ariz. 255, ¶ 10, 980 P.2d 967, 970 (App. 1999).
¶ 11 On review, our supreme court noted the question whether the state's peremptory challenge was timely "depends upon whether the subsequent indictment simply `continued' the earlier action or instituted a new action" and the "resolution of this issue depends upon the effect of the trial court's order dismissing the action without prejudice." Id. ¶ 6. In holding the state was entitled to a change of judge under Rule 10.2, the court explained that, once the initial proceeding was dismissed, "nothing remained of that action" and, "[w]hen the new case began, Rule 10.2 provided each party a peremptory right to change the judge within the time permitted by the rule." Id. ¶ 8. Notably, the court distinguished Godoy's case from State v. Poland, 144 Ariz. 388, 698 P.2d 183 (1985), on the basis that, "[i]n Poland, the judge did not dismiss the action." Godoy, 205 Ariz. 104, ¶ 9, 67 P.3d at 703.
¶ 12 Thus, unlike the situation in Godoy, Woodington was not entitled to a second peremptory challenge because his case was never dismissed. Indeed, the language of Rule 12.9 anticipates that on remand to the grand jury the case simply "continues" after the new finding of probable cause.
¶ 13 Rule 12.9(a) allows a defendant to challenge grand-jury proceedings on certain grounds, and, if such a motion is granted, Rule 12.9(c) provides that "the State may proceed with the prosecution of the case pursuant to Rule 2, Rules of Criminal Procedure, or by resubmission to the same or another grand jury." The language of this rule is singular as well — the state is allowed to continue its "prosecution of the case." Ariz. R. Crim. P. 12.9(c) (emphasis added). And Rule 12.9(c) directs, "Unless a complaint is filed or a grand jury consideration is commenced within fifteen days after entry of the order granting the motion under this rule, the case shall be dismissed without prejudice." Thus, the case will continue unless the state fails to timely proceed. In view of Rule 12.9's language, we conclude our supreme court intended that a remand for a new determination of probable cause does not automatically trigger a new criminal case. Rather, the case simply continues unless the state fails to timely act, at which point the case "shall be dismissed without prejudice." Ariz. R. Crim. P. 12.9(c).
¶ 14 Our conclusion is bolstered by the speedy-trial provisions of Rule 8, Ariz. R. Crim. P., and the waiver provisions of Rule 10.4. Rule 8.4 sets forth the time periods to be excluded in calculating the deadline by which a case must be tried. Among the excluded periods are those for "[d]elays resulting from a remand for new probable cause determination under Rules 5.5 or 12.9." Ariz. R. Crim. P. 8.4(b). That the supreme court included a provision to exclude the time during which a remand takes place suggests it anticipated a continuing proceeding, not a new one.
¶ 15 Additionally, Rule 10.4(a) provides that parties waive their right to a peremptory challenge by "participat[ing] before that judge in any contested matter in the case, an omnibus hearing, any pretrial hearing, a proceeding under Rule 17, or the commencement
¶ 16 Having concluded that a remand pursuant to Rule 12.9 does not trigger a new criminal proceeding absent a dismissal, we necessarily conclude that "[a]rraignment" as used in Rule 10.2(c) refers only to the first arraignment in a case. The rule and our case law are clear that each party is only entitled to one peremptory challenge to a judge in a case, and, as described above, we conclude that a criminal case simply continues following remand for a redetermination of probable cause unless it is dismissed.
¶ 17 Our supreme court has directed that "any provision relating to disqualification of judges must be given strict construction to safeguard the judiciary from frivolous attacks upon its dignity and integrity and to ensure the orderly function of the judicial system." State v. Perkins, 141 Ariz. 278, 286, 686 P.2d 1248, 1256 (1984), overruled on other grounds by State v. Noble, 152 Ariz. 284, 731 P.2d 1228 (1987). "A construction which would expand the availability of peremptory changes of judge would be inconsistent with the[ ] principles" of interpretation set forth by that court. Fiveash v. Superior Court, 156 Ariz. 422, 425, 752 P.2d 511, 514 (App. 1988). Allowing a party to participate in a contested matter without waiving the peremptory challenge or to otherwise gain a second opportunity for such a challenge in the same proceeding clearly would expand the availability of peremptory challenges and presents the possibility of "frivolous attacks" upon the judiciary. Perkins, 141 Ariz. at 286, 686 P.2d at 1256. We therefore disagree with Woodington's interpretation of Rule 10.2 and conclude a party is not entitled to a second peremptory strike after a second arraignment when the case has not been dismissed.
¶ 18 Woodington also contends the respondent presiding judge failed to perform a required duty when he denied Woodington's motion to determine reassignment of this matter. For the reasons explained above, we reject his claim that the respondent presiding judge erred insofar as he accepted the respondent judge's ruling that Woodington was not entitled to an additional peremptory challenge.
¶ 19 Woodington's argument as to the respondent presiding judge also focuses, however, on a superior court administrative order relating to bench assignments. That order provides in relevant part that "[c]riminal cases assigned to [the respondent judge] will be reassigned to Judge Fields" on February 1, 2016. Thus, Woodington maintains, the respondent judge should not have been allowed to continue on his case and "[t]he published reassignment
¶ 20 First, the administrative order is a notice provision that reflects the superior court's operations. Second, assuming for the sake of argument that Woodington had a right to rely on the administrative order, he waived it. The administrative order was effective on February 1, 2016. The hearing on the state's motion to amend the indictment and Woodington's motion to remand the matter to the grand jury also was held on February 1. Indeed, the respondent judge granted Woodington's motion on that date and ordered the matter remanded to the grand jury. Nothing in the minute entry for that hearing indicates that Woodington objected to the respondent judge's continuing to preside over the matter. Any claim of error relating to the lack of enforcement of that order is therefore waived. Finally, Rule 24, Pima Cty. Super. Ct. Loc. R. P., permits the trial court to suspend a local rule for "good cause shown." The local rules govern assignment of cases and handling by the court administrator.
¶ 21 For the reasons stated above, we accept jurisdiction but deny relief.