Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Maricopa County Superior Court judges


MUNDELL, Barbara Rodriguez
Presiding Judge
Most likely a Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender
Rating: 0

ACETO, Mark F. Presiding Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Symington appointee - 1995
Former prosecutor
Conservatives have a very favorable opinion of this judge
Rating:

AKERS, Linda A.* Juvenile
Symington appointee - 1996
Former prosecutor
Member of U.S. District Court Gender Equity Task Force
Considered a mediocre attorney by reputable attorneys, but a tough sentencer, even the left wing blog Netroots considers her tough on crime
Considered difficult to deal with in court
Rating: 7

ANDERSON, Aimee Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former criminal defense attorney and prosecutor
One reputable prosecutor who regularly appears in front of Anderson does not believe she is liberal.
Rating:

ANDERSON, Arthur Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 1999
Former civil litigation attorney
This judge can be gruff to appear in front of
Considered fair by reputable attorneys, but slightly soft on crime
Rating:

BALLINGER, Eddward Jr.* Civil
Republican
Hull appointee - 1998
Former tax attorney
Note - although was formerly Criminal Presiding Judge, was not member of any criminal defense leaning organizations
Reputable attorneys say that if doesn't like your case, he's terrible. Considered moderate on sentencing crime.
Rating:

BARTON, Janet Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 2000
Former commercial litigation attorney
Rating:

BASSETT, Edward Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2008
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender
Rating:

BEENE, James Family
Conservative
Brewer appointee
Rating: 10


BERGIN, Dawn Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former attorney at Napolitano's old firm, Lewis & Roca
Rating:

BLAKEY, II, A. Craig* Civil
Republican
Symington appointee - 2002
Formerly in private practice
Everyone who appears in front of this judge loves him and say he's fair
Solid conservative
Rating: 10

BRNOVICH, Susan Criminal
Conservative
Rating: 10

BRODMAN, Roger Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Republican, moderate
Formerly in private practice
Symington appointee - 2002

BROTHERTON, William Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Formerly a far left legislator
Inductee in Sierra Club Hall of Fame, member of Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Rating: 0

BUDOFF, Robert Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Symington appointee - 2000
Formerly in private practice
Have heard that he is biased against fathers in divorce/custody cases
Very liberal
Rating: 0

BURKE, Edward O. Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Considered soft on crime.
Symington appointee - 1999
Formerly in private practice
Rating: 0

BUTTRICK, John A.* Spec. Assgn. Civil
Libertarian, very well-liked by conservatives too
Symington appointee - 2001
Formerly in private practice
Graduated from Harvard Law School
Rating: 10

CHAVEZ, Harriett Presiding Northwest/Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2003
Rating:

COHEN, Bruce* Family
appears to be a RINO
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Formerly in private practice & a prosecutor
Rating:

CONTES, Connie* Criminal
Hull appointee - 2002
Formerly worked for the Office of the Public Defender
Rating:

DAVIS, Glenn* Civil
Democrat
Napolitano - 2006
Former attorney to the Democrats in the legislature
Contributed to AZ State Democrat Party
Rating: 0

DAVIS, Norman J. Juvenile & Associate Presiding Judge UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Republican
Symington appointee - 1995
Formerly an attorney in private practice
Rating:

DITSWORTH, John* Criminal
Republican
Hull appointee - 2001
Former prosecutor
Reportedly an even-tempered, competent, and fair judge
Rating: 8

DONAHOE, Gary Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 2000
Former attorney in civil litigation
Held the Sheriff's Office in contempt for its inability to bring inmates to court on time, even though the problem was due to the Board of Supervisors slashing the Sheriff's budget by 15%. (the court has a cozy relationship with the Supervisors, and will not rule against them in cases because the Supervisors have promised the judges a brand-new $340 million court tower with penthouse offices).
He also removed the County Attorney's Office from prosecuting Supervisor Stapley, saying there was a conflict, but ignored the real conflict which was that the Supervisors' attorney Tom Irvine (a former attorney for the Democrat Party) is also the attorney for the Court.
Rating: 2

DUNCAN, (Schneider) Sally Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2004
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender
Reputed to be a very lenient criminal judge except on domestic violence crimes
Rating: 0

DUNEVANT, III, Thomas* Presiding Tax Court/Civil
Democrat
Mofford appointee - 1989
Former prosecutor
Reputable attorneys have a negative opinion of him
Rating: 2

FENZEL, Alfred Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Republican
Hull appointee - 1999
Reputable attorneys have a good opinion of him, but he's considered a little soft on crime
Former prosecutor

FINK, Dean Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2006
Former attorney at Napolitano's Lewis & Roca firm
Rating:

FLORES, Lisa* Family
Napolitano appointee and FOJ (Friend of Janet) - 2005
RINO
Former General Counsel for Governor Hull, where she was responsible for many of Hull's bad judicial picks, including Ruth MacGregor
Rating: less than 0

FOSTER, George H. Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Considered somewhat liberal, but is one of the most pleasant judges.
Democrat
Hull or Napolitano appointee - 2003
Former managing attorney with Wilenchik & Bartness
Past instructor, Project Business – teaching free enterprise to middle school children
Rating:


GAINES, Pendleton Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 1999
Formerly in commercial litigation
Rating: 10

GAMA, J. Richard Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 2000
Democrat but considered tough on crime
Considered liberal
Former trial attorney
One reputable prosecutor who appears regularly in front of Gama does not think he is liberal.
Rating: 2 (recently lowered his ranking)

GARCIA, Jeanne* Civil
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Considered soft on crime
Formerly worked at the AG's Office
Rating: 0

GASS, David Family
Democrat
Former Director of Legislative Affairs for Terry Goddard, law clerk to Ruth McGregor
Rating: 0

GATES, Pamela
Brewer appointee - 2009
Wife of Phoenix City Councilman Bill Gates
Rating: 10

GENTRY-LEWIS, Jo Lynn* Family
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Former government attorney
Former tribal attorney, active in Native American causes
Rating:

GERLACH, Douglas
Brewer appointee - 2010
Has criminal defense background

GORDON, Michael* Family
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender
Considered soft on crime
Rating: 0

GOTTSFIELD, Robert L. Criminal
Lawyers refer to him as "crazy Bob" due to his erratic behavior, but he's fast.
Soft on drug crimes

GRANT, Larry Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2003
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender, briefly a prosecutor
Very liberal, accuses police officers of racial profiling
Rating: 0

GRANVILLE, Warren J. Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Republican
Reputedly is very liberal in his decisions - as one commenter noted - yes although he is a registered Republican, he has been very liberal in his rulings unfortunately.
Hull appointee - 2000
Rating: 0

HANNAH, John* Juvenile
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Formerly very active in criminal defense, including AZ Capital Representation Project

Rating: 0

HARRISON, Cari A.* Criminal
Hull appointee - 2001
Formerly worked for the AG's office and in private practice
Reputable prosecutors say she is conservative
Rating: 8

HAUSER, Brian R. Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Symington or Mofford appointee - 1991
Former government attorney
Reputable attorneys consider him a decent judge, although moderate on crime
Rating:

HEGYI, Hugh Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former assistant to a Democrat Senator
Formerly worked at the AG's office and in private practice
Active in State Bar's left wing Legal Services Committee
Rating: 0

HEILMAN, Joseph B. Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Hull appointee - 1999
Former prosecutor
Criticized Maricopa County Attorney's Office crackdowns on sex offender plea bargains from the bench. Showed lack of neutrality and left-leaning views. Considered a soft sentencer, but is about as balanced as you're going to find in a Democrat appointee. Is pro-2nd amendment and a hunter.
Rating: 3

HICKS, Bethany G. Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 1999
Considered soft on crime and invents laws
Former family law practitioner
Rating: 0

HILLIARD, Ruth H.* Family
Republican
Babbitt appointee - 1985
Left wing blog Netroots describes her as "very liberal"
Formerly in civil litigation
Rating:

HOAG, M. Jean Associate Presiding Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Mofford appointee - 1996
Former prosecutor
Reputable attorneys consider her ok
Rating:

HOFFMAN, Kristin C.* Criminal
Napolitano appointee - 2006
Liberal blog says she's pro-abortion and biased towards women and feminist views
Doesn't follow the law
Rating: 0

HYATT, Carey Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Republican
Former prosecutor
Hull appointee - 2000
Rating:

ISHIKAWA, Brian K. Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Republican
Symington appointee - 1995
Former attorney in private practice
Rating: 10

JONES, Michael D. Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Symington appointee - 1995
Former prosecutor
Considered lazy & a pushover
Rating: 7
Note - we have recently upped his rating, due to new information

KATZ, Paul A.* Family
Democrat
Mofford appointee - 1989
Reputable attorneys have a poor opinion of him
Left wing blog Netroots describes him as "very liberal"
Former government attorney
Rating: 0

KEMP, Michael* Criminal
Most likely a Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Former prosecutor
Reputed to be a fair judge, well-liked
Rating: 8

KEPPEL, James H. Juvenile
Republican
Symington appointee - 1996
Former prosecutor and briefly a public defender
Rating: 9

KILEY, Daniel Family
Brewer appointee - 2010


KLEIN, Andrew
*
Special Assn/Civil
Probably a Republican
Hull appointee - 2001
Former attorney in private practice
Has a reputation for being a fair, level-headed judge
Rating: 10

KREAMER, Joseph Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Board of Directors, left wing
Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education
Former chair and active in State Bar's left wing Legal Services Committee
Rating: 0

LECLAIRE, Thomas Family
Brewer appointee - 2010
Former prosecutor

LEE, Raymond Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2003
Worked for the AG's office and in private practice
On the AZ Bar Commission on Women and Minorities, AZ Ass. of Defense Counsel
Rating: 0

MAHONEY, Margaret R.* Criminal
Independent
Hull appointee - 2002
Former attorney in commercial litigation
Rating:

MANGUM, J. Kenneth Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Mofford or Symington appointee - 1991
Former JAG attorney
Reputable attorneys consider him a decent judge
Rating:

MARTIN, Daniel Family Court UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former attorney in private practice
Rating: 0

MCCLENNEN, Crane* Juvenile
Democrat
Symington appointee - 1997
Former prosecutor
Prolife
Wrote books on Evidence, more of an academic
Left wing blog Netroots says he is tough on crime
The only judge the Commission on Judicial Review recommended not retaining in 2008. We got the full scoop on it. The Judicial Performance Review Commission gave him a poor rating because he received poor reviews from criminal defense attorneys. As an academic expert on trials, he doesn't put up with sloppily prepared attorneys. He takes time to educate them on procedure, which can back up his calendar. Considered possibly the smartest judge on the bench. Ends up ruling tough on crime and conservatively because he rules in favor of the best presented case, not emotional arguments or hastily made decisions not made on the full facts.
Rating: 9

MCMURDIE, Paul* Special Assignment
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2006
Former prosecutor
He is tough on crime. Former homicide prosecutor.
Rating: 8


MCNALLY, Colleen* Presiding Family
Hull appointee - 2001
Considered soft on crime
Former prosecutor and public defender
Rating: 0

MCVEY, Michael R.* Family
Republican
Symington appointee - 1993
Prolife
Formerly worked at the AG's office
Rating: 9

MILES, Linda H.* Family
Hull appointee - 2001
Former attorney in private practice
Reputable attorneys have a mixed opinion of her
Rating:

MILES, Robert* Family
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Reputable attorneys have a mixed opinion of him
Former attorney in private practice
Rating:

MROZ, Rosa Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2004
Former government attorney
Reputable attorneys say she is very liberal
Rating: 0


MYERS, Sam Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former legislative intern to Democrat Senator Dennis DeConcini
Former prosecutor
Rating: 3

NORRIS, Benjamin Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2008
Formely in private practice and litigation for the US District Attorney
Rating:

O'CONNOR, Karen L. Probate/Mental Health Presiding Judge UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 2000
Considered fair
Former prosecutor
Rating: 10

OBERBILLIG, Robert* Civil
Hull appointee - 1998
Formerly on board of directors, Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
Fellow, left wing Arizona Bar Foundation
Left wing blog Netroots says he turned out to be more liberal than Governor Hull expected
Rating: 0

PADILLA, Jose* Family
Almost certain he is a Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2005
Active in radical leftist hispanic group La Raza during law school
Former nurse
Rating: 0

PALMER, David Family
Brewer appointee - 2009
Former prosecutor

PINEDA, Susanna Family Court UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Appears to be a RINO
Formerly worked at the AG's office
One reputable prosecutor who regularly appears in front of Pineda does not believe she is liberal.
Rating:

POTTS, Karen* Family
Napolitano appointee - 2006
Former Vice President, the far left Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest
Formerly worked at the AG's office and in private practice
Worked on AZ Bar disciplinary issues
Appears to be a Republican, prolife, and socially conservative
Rating:

RAYES, Douglas Civil UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 2000
Considered soft on crime
Former JAG attorney
Rating: 0

REA, John Associate Presiding Family Court UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2004
Former staff attorney for the AZ Supreme Court
Rating:

REINSTEIN, Peter Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 1999
Former prosecutor
Rating: 10

RONAN, Emmet J. Presiding Southeast/Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Hull appointee - 2000
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender
Defended some of the most heinous criminals in the state
Rating:

RYAN, Timothy J.* Associate Presiding Criminal Judge
Democrat
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender, and prosecutor
Has a very liberal reputation on the bench
Has a poor record of enforcing Prop. 100, no bail for illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes
Prolife
Rating: 3

SANDERS, Teresa A.* Criminal
Democrat
Hull appointee - 2001
Former prosecutor
Considered tough on crime
Rating:

STEINLE, III, Roland J.* Special Assignment/Criminal
Republican
Hull appointee - 2001
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender
Active in criminal defense organizations
Left wing blog Netroots says he is biased towards criminal defense
Reputable attorneys say he does a lousy job
Rating: 2

STEPHENS, Sherry K.* Family
Hull appointee - 2001
Formerly worked at AG's office
Considered middle of the road when it comes to sentencing, but is pleasant to appear in front of
Rating:


TALAMANTE, David M. Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Independent
Hull appointee - 1999
Formerly worked for AG's office and left wing community legal services
Considered somewhat fair, middle of the road, not biased towards criminal defense but not considered a tough sentencer
Rating:

THOMPSON, Peter Juvenile
Brewer appointee - 2010
Former police attorney and military reservist

THUMMA, Samuel Juvenile UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former law clerk for liberal Democrat AZ
Chief Justice Stanley G. Feldman
Member, Diversity Task Force and Ethics Committee, State Bar of Arizona
Has a reputation for attacking attorneys and getting them in trouble
Rating: 0

UDALL, David K.* Criminal
Republican
Hull appointee - 2001
Former prosecutor
Considered a somewhat tough sentencer
Rating:

VERDIN, Maria del Mar Criminal UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 1999
Former criminal defense attorney - public defender

WARNER, Randall Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former law clerk to liberal AZ Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Zlaket
State Bar of Arizona, Editorial Committee, left wing Arizona Attorney Magazine
Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
Circulated anti-marriage petitions for Napolitano and was rewarded with a judgeship for it
Rating: 0

WELTY, Joseph C. Family UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2007
Former prosecutor
Rating:

WHITTEN, Christopher* Criminal
Democrat
Napolitano appointee - 2006
Former prosecutor and private practice
Rating:

WILLETT, Eileen Juvenile Presiding Judge UP FOR RETENTION ELECTION
Hull appointee - 1999
Former attorney in private practice
Rating: 10

Welcome to AZ Judges Review

This blog will provide information on judges in Arizona for voters to make informed decisions on who to vote for. It will attempt to cover as many judges in the state as possible. Because Maricopa County only has retention elections, most voters know very little about our judges. The judges never have to run for initial election since they are appointed solely by the governor, they only run later for retention election in nonpartisan races. Their judicial biographies do not say which party they belong to. The Superior Court bios don't even say which governor appointed them, which would provide some insight into their political persuasions, so we have provided that information.

We hope to provide information on judges that the Arizona Commission on Judicial Review does not, like what a candidate's political views are, and whether they have biases on the bench. For too long the Commission has rubber stamped almost all judges for reelection, which isn't helpful for most voters who would like to know which judges are soft on crime, have been involved in scandals, or are otherwise predisposed. This year, the commission only recommended not retaining one judge, Maricopa Superior Court judge Crane McClennan (who we have a mixed opinion of - he's a lot better than half the other judges). Please email us at azjudgesreview-at-gmail.com if you have any information to contribute. All information will be kept confidential. If you would rather leave us a private comment anonymously instead of an email, please leave a comment after this post. All comments are moderated so if you indicate it's not for publication, we will respect your privacy.