PHOENIX — Kari Lake will have to defend herself in court against claims she defamed Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.

In a brief order Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected Lake’s arguments that she had a constitutional right to make her comments about Richer and the way he conducted the 2022 election for governor she lost to Katie Hobbs. Lake also argued that even if she didn’t have that right, she either believed her statements were true or that they were “hyperbole,’’ both of which she said are protected against defamation claims.

The justices did not explain their ruling.

That means Lake’s free speech arguments have now been rejected by a trial judge, the state Court of Appeals and the state’s high court. That leaves her nowhere to go other than back to trial.