Arizona Justice of the Peace Association

Our Mission Statement:

“The Arizona Justice of the Peace Association, for the benefit of its members and the Judicial Branch of Government, seeks the constant improvement and growth of its members through education and fellowship. The association promotes the highest standards of professionalism while protecting the interest and independence of Justice of the Peace Courts in Arizona. It is our responsibility to live up to the charge we have been given. Together, we pledge our solidarity to protect Arizona Courts, to strengthen that which we have been given and to magnify the well regarded reputation of ourselves and others at all times.”

"H I S T O R Y"
ARIZONA JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND CONSTABLE ASSOCIATION It was in the 1940's when the Justices of the Peace and Constables in Arizona met and formed a group and called themselves "ARIZONA JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND CONSTABLE ASSOCIATION." By the early 1990's, the Association had become very strong not only monetarily but had gained strength in lobbying judicial issues with their state legislators. It was then ruled by the Arizona Supreme Court that there needed to be a separation of powers and that the Justices of the Peace and Constables could no longer co-mingle as an association. Consequently, the association separated immediately dividing the association funds.
ARIZONA JUSTICE COURTS ASSOCIATION
The Justices of the Peace quickly formed a new association, named "ARIZONA JUSTICE COURTS ASSOCIATION." This association established an open policy whereas anybody with the courts could be a member. This association lasted approximately two years when its members realized that court employee issues were different in all the classifications and terminated this association.
ARIZONA JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ASSOCIATION In 1996 a new organization was formed called "ARIZONA JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ASSOCIATION." Membership was limited to Justices of the Peace currently in office. Hon. Sherry Geisler was the first president and the key figure in forming this association and keeping it going. Other than the bylaw changes in 2004 adding Magistrates and Protems and making officially retired justices honorary members, the association is as it stands today.

BYLAWS

Justice of the Peace of the Year; Sherry Geisler Award

Sherry Geisler

Each year a Justice of the Peace is recognized for his or her outstanding service to the Judiciary.
In 2013 the Award name was changed to the Sherry Geisler Award in honor of the late Honorable Sherry Geisler of Round Valley Justice Court.
Judge Geisler began her career as a clerk in 1982 she served as a pro-tem and began her judicial career in 1993. When the association split from the partnership with the constables the Az Justice of the Peace Association was born Judge Geisler was the first association president in 1996. Judge Geisler served on numerous committees for the Arizona Supreme Court including the Judicial ethics commission she served as a mentor judge for many years; she was a true example of the qualities expected for the Justice of the Peace of the year award.

The Honorable Sherry Geisler, Round Valley Justice of the Peace

Honorable Anna Huberman - 2019 Justice of the Peace of the Year

This year’s recipient for the Justice of the Peace of the Year is Judge Anna Huberman from Maricopa County and was first elected to the bench in 2012. Judge Huberman is the first Justice of the Peace for a newly created precinct, the Country Meadows Justice Court. Judge Huberman also serves as the Presiding Judge for the Southwest Regional Court Center.

Judge Huberman serves on numerous committees for the State as well as locally for Maricopa County. She has served on the Judicial Conference Planning Committee in 2017 and 2018. She also serves on the board of the Judicial College of Arizona.

As a member of the Commission of Access to Justice she was appointed by Judge Lawrence Winthrop as the chair of the Limited Jurisdiction Self-Represented Litigants Workgroup and has served in that capacity for over two years. The workgroup has studied and analyzed rule change petitions for eviction actions and made recommendations to the Commission. Additionally, the work group just completed an educational product to increase access to justice for self-represented landlords and tenants. The information produced include information sheets, FAQs. glossary, videos, and forms which are available in both English and Spanish. All of this is accessible through the AOC's webpages and the AZCourtHelp website.

Judge Huberman is a presenter or co-presenter for conferences at both the local and state levels, presenting to court staff and judicial officers on subjects such as eviction actions, language access, Spanish for court staff and interpreting challenges.

Judge Huberman participates in many community activities educating the public on the court system including television/radio in both English and Spanish and also writes articles for newspapers. She volunteers for Make-a-Wish, serving meals to homeless seniors, and educating youth on her judicial position and running for elected office.

Association Officers and Board Members

Honorable John Peck

President

Honorable Rob Krombeen

Vice President

Honorable Michael Skiles

Treasurer

Honorable Cathy Riggs

Secretary

Honorable Dorothy Little

Immediate Past President

Honorable David Widmaier

Board Member

Honorable Bruce Staggs Board Member

Honorable Sam Goodman Board Member

Honorable Wyatt Palmer Board Member

Honorable David Osterfeld Board Member

Honorable Steve Urie Board Member

Honorable Gerald Williams Board Member

Honorable Charlene Pesquira Board Member

Honorable Keith Russell Board Member

Honorable Donald Roberts Board Member

Honorable Sherwood Johnston, III Board Member

Honorable Barbara Brown Board Member

Honorable Russ Jones Board Member

Honorable Erica Cornejo Board Member

Honorable Gary Griffith Board Member

IN THE NEWS

In July 2019, Vice Chief Justice Brutinel will transition to the Chief Justice. Each incoming Chief Justice develops and adopts a "Strategic Agenda", for his or her term. Earlier this year Dave Byers, Administrative Director of the Courts invited the "Association" to submit suggestions to be considered.

The Executive Board was solicited for comments and again for review of the finished product. The submission is the document below for your review.

2018 Legislative updates for LJ Courts

UPCOMING EVENTS

AZ Magistrates Association Annual Spring Break Conference - March 25, 26, 27, 2020 - Phoenix

Arizona Judicial Conference - June 24, 25, 26, 2020 - Tucson

Governor appoints Justice of the Peace Tim Dickerson to Superior Court in Cochise County

Governor Appoints Dickerson

HELPFUL LINKS

Arizona Revised Statues

(Click the books)

ARIZONA COURTS LOCATOR

Arizona Court Help

Arizona Rules Of Court

Helpful link to Arizona Magistrates Association

Helpful link to National Judges Association

FAIR JUSTICE MITGATION BENCH CARD EFFECTIVE 01-01-19

Wendell

Membership

Membership application for 2020

Current member list

Materials and Bios from the 2019 Conference

Please note: Class Materials were not be printed this year. They are available as links which you may download to your device. Links are available below the class description on this page. Additionally, for the link to presenter Bio's, click here.

Click here for Certificate of Attendance

Click here for Evaluation Form