Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: WHAT IS THE JAA APPELLATE FUND?
The JAA Appellate Fund is an irrevocable gift trust into which money is deposited as a donation (or gift) to help pay the legal fees associated with appealing Jodi Arias’ wrongful conviction, specifically, fees not covered by taxpayers. The trust is also structured to cover future legal representation in the event that her wrongful conviction is overturned. These costs may include attorney fees, investigation, experts, mitigation, and court filing fees.
Q2: DON’T THE ARIZONA TAXPAYERS HAVE TO PAY FOR JODI’S APPEALS?
Since Jodi was sentenced to life imprisonment, not death, taxpayers will fund very little. After her sentencing in 2015, her case was reassigned to the public defenders office, which handled her direct appeal. The Court of Appeals of Arizona upheld her wrongful conviction in 2021 despite acknowledging prosecutorial misconduct. Her case is now in the PCR phase (post-conviction relief), again with court-appointed counsel.
Arizona taxpayers will not pay for anything beyond PCR proceedings. Adter PCR, Jodi and her court-appointed lawyer will part ways and, unless her conviction gets overturned during this phase, she will go back to prison for the rest of her life — unless the JAA Appellate Fund has enough money to hire an attorney to pursue further legal remedies for Jodi in the federal court circuit.
Q3: IS THE TRUST MONEY VULNERABLE TO CONFISCATION BY THE ALEXANDERS OR THE STATE?
No. Although the Alexander-family attorney announced to the media that the family intended to sue Jodi, he did so before realizing they had no legal standing. But even if they had tried, the money in the JAA Appellate Fund does not belong to Jodi, and thus she cannot be sued for it — not successfully anyway. The trust is not in her name; she does not control it and does not have access to it.
If any other party were to try to sue Jodi, the same protection applies: the money in the JAA Appellate Fund is not hers. The trust was carefully structured so that funds can only be paid out for case-related legal-defense fees and appellate costs not covered by taxpayers. It cannot be used for any other purpose, not even for restitution.
Click the Donate button below to make a MONTHLY RECURRING donation (or a one-time donation) to the JAA Appellate Fund – safely & securely via PayPal:
All donations made via this website go directly to the JAA APPELLATE FUND, for assisting with the legal fees associated with appealing Jodi’s wrongful conviction. All donations are confidential. This is the ONLY website authorized to collect donations.
Q4: CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK?
No. The trust is irrevocable, meaning that once money is put into it, it can never be taken out except for the purposes for which the trust was established (legal defense and appellate costs).
Q5: CAN I WRITE OFF MY CONTRIBUTION ON MY TAXES?
No. Any contribution to a gift trust is considered a gift and is not tax-deductible.
Q6: HOW MUCH NEEDS TO BE RAISED?
Most attorneys’ retainers for a case like Jodi’s are $250,000. The figure of $150,000 has been mentioned, but that is a typical retainer for a case like Jodi’s before conviction, when trial preparation and trial itself are the two overarching factors that drive up the legal bill. Now, however, added to that is the appeals process, which involves extensive legal research, motion writing, and additional investigation.
Q7: HOW MUCH HAS BEEN RAISED SO FAR?
We no longer disclose this information because we have found that no matter the amount, people either think it’s too much or not nearly enough. Both mindsets appear to discourage donating. Suffice it to say that donations are still gratefully accepted and will be used exactly as the trust’s instructions dictate.
Q8: WHY ISN’T THE BANK THAT HOLDS THE TRUST ACCOUNT LISTED ON THIS SITE?
Initially, the financial institution and account number were listed on this site, but so many phone calls were received that it became a distraction to the bank employees. So this information was removed. Please note that many organizations which collect donations, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Feed the Children, and American Red Cross, do not provide their bank information either.
Click the Donate button below to make a MONTHLY RECURRING donation (or a one-time donation) to the JAA Appellate Fund – safely & securely via PayPal:
All donations made via this website go directly to the JAA APPELLATE FUND, for assisting with the legal fees associated with appealing Jodi’s wrongful conviction. All donations are confidential. This is the ONLY website authorized to collect donations.
Q9: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MONEY IF APPEALS ARE NOT PURSUED OR IF THERE IS MONEY LEFT OVER AFTERWARD?
Given that Jodi’s legal defense cost taxpayers over $3 million the first time around, it is unlikely there will be any money left in the fund. However, if by chance there is, it will be split down the middle and given to two nonprofit organizations. One helps disabled children receive life-changing surgery, and one is a no-kill animal sanctuary. These instructions are built into the trust.
Q10: WHY AREN’T THE CHARITIES MENTIONED ABOVE NAMED ON THIS SITE?
For the same reason bank information is not disclosed, the nonprofit charities are not named here to protect them from undue attention. In the event that any leftover money from the JAA Appellate Fund is paid out to these charities, their names will be announced on this site.
Q11: WHO IS THE TRUSTEE?
The trustee is Sue Halterman, Jodi’s aunt. She had a lawyer structure the trust so that no one, not even she, may use the funds for anything other than its stated purpose. Despite both her attorney and tax consultant’s advising her to take a trustee fee (a standard practice that would draw from the fund), she refused this option in order to maximize Jodi’s ability to get future legal representation.
In the event that Sue Halterman no longer wishes to be trustee, successor trustees are in place.
Q12: WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT? CAN I SEND YOU A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER?
PayPal is currently the only way we can accept donations to the JAA Appellate Fund. You can also help Jodi raise money by purchasing her art at JodiArias.com. Paypal is not required there. Please note that art revenue is kept separate from the trust.
Q13: IS THE JAA APPELLATE FUND SITE JUSTICE4JODI.COM ASSOCIATED WITH THE SITE CALLED JUSTICE4JODIARIAS.COM?
No. While there are websites and social media channels dedicated to raising money for Jodi’s legal fees, they should always link back to this site, Justice4Jodi.com, to transact a donation. If a site links elsewhere to donate, it is fake and/or fraudulent.
Please beware that fraudulent sites have been established to lure supporters to donate. Look carefully at your browser bar. Right now, it should say “https://justice4jodi.com/FAQs”. If it does, you’re in the right place.
Watch this 2-minute video of Jodi’s parents for more on this.
Q14: CAN I WRITE JODI A LETTER?
Yes. However, due to the volume of mail she receives, she is unable to reply.
Jodi Arias #281129
ASPC Perryville — Lumley
P.O. Box 3300
Goodyear, AZ 85338
You can also click the Donate button below to make a MONTHLY RECURRING donation (or a one-time donation) to the JAA Appellate Fund – safely & securely via PayPal:
All donations made via this website go directly to the JAA APPELLATE FUND, for assisting with the legal fees associated with appealing Jodi’s wrongful conviction. All donations are confidential. This is the ONLY website authorized to collect donations.
justice4jodi.com 
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