Arizona Justice of the Peace Association
2021 Conference Postponed
Dear Colleagues,
I am saddened to inform you that we have had to postpone the 2021 Arizona Justice of the Peace Association conference scheduled for September 7-10, 2021.
This decision was clearly not an easy one to make. Our AJPA board met late last week and with a unanimous vote of the quorum took this action in consideration of the rapidly accelerating COVID19/Delta positivity rates throughout the state. State health authorities have projected that infection rates will significantly increase in the next four-to-six weeks with a major surge likely during the previously scheduled conference period. In the 14-day period prior to the emergency board meeting, the infection rate throughout the state increased by 72% according to published reports.
In conclusion, the Board felt that it would be neither prudent nor responsible in these conditions and with these expectations, to assemble the majority of Arizona's justices of the peace and magistrates, not to mention various Appeals and Supreme Court justices, department heads and court administrative personnel in one place in such a potentially dangerous environment.
We are working with the Prescott Resort & Conference Center to reschedule the conference in partnership with the Arizona Magistrates Association, tentatively set for March 22-25, 2022.
The hotel will automatically cancel any reservations made and will notify you of same. If you have registered for the conference, we would be happy to hold on to your registration fee and apply it to the March conference. If you prefer a refund, please directly contact Sue Anderson at sanderson@azcounties.org and she will process your request.
Again, this was a difficult decision to make, but the board felt it was the responsible thing to do. I want to acknowledge the hard work put into preparing for the conference by the planning committee and the roughly three dozen presenters who had been scheduled to participate. We had a robust and substantive set of sessions ready to roll - and it will happen in March 2022.
Thank you for your understanding and, in advance, for your support. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have.
With best wishes -
John
Hon. John Peck
President, Arizona Justice of the Peace Association
Presiding Judge, Ajo Justice Court
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.
Justice of the Peace of the Year; Sherry Geisler Award
Sherry Geisler
THE “JP of the Year” award recognizes and honors an individual member of the Arizona Justice of the Peace Association who has tirelessly and selflessly supported the mission of the association; who has demonstrated continuous contributions to the Arizona judicial process; and who makes significant efforts to educate the public on the judicial system. Recipients of this award must be a member of the Arizona Justice of the Peace Association and must have a minimum of five years’ experience as a full-time judge.
In 2013 the award was renamed as the Sherry Geisler Award in honor of the late judge of the Round Valley Justice Court. Judge Geisler was a great leader in the judicial community. She was the first association president when the association split from the partnership with the constables in 1996, served as a mentor judge, and was on multiple committees for the Supreme Court including the Judicial Ethics Commission.
The Honorable Sherry Geisler, Round Valley Justice of the Peace
Honorable Trevor Ward - 2021 Justice of the Peace of the Year
We are happy to announce that this year’s honoree is the Honorable Trevor Ward, Wilcox Justice of the Peace and Town Magistrate.
In the words of the Hon. Dorothy Little, the immediate past president of the AJPA and the chair of the awards committee:
“In 2006, Judge Ward was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, in Willcox, Arizona, taking office in January 2007. In 2008, the City of Willcox consolidated with the Willcox Justice Court and that relationship continues today. During the past 15 years he has supervised numerous improvements to the Willcox Justice Court, including enhanced security measures, development of an electronic interpreter system in the court room, and implementation of the strategic agendas of the past four Chief Justices.
“He was associate presiding judge for four years and in 2018 was selected as the Presiding Justice of the Peace for Cochise County. He continues to serve in that role. As the presiding justice during 2020, he successfully led efforts to defend the rights of justices of the peace to receive compensation for their work as magistrates as provided by state statute. His leadership benefitted all justices of the peace in Cochise County and, effectively, our justice system throughout the state. In doing so, Judge Ward upheld our first standard, Canon 1 of the Judicial Code of Conduct, which states in part: “A judicial employee shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.”
“While Judge Ward has had many successes as a Justice of the Peace and City Magistrate, he considers as his greatest success being a single father to his son. His son T.J. is active in sports, has a 4.0 grade point average, is the 2019 Tucson Jr Dragster Champion for six- to 12- year-olds and, says his proud father, probably would’ve been the 2020 champion had not the races been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Judge Ward’s selection was made in July 2021, by a committee of the AJPA board and would have been presented at the scheduled COVID-canceled September conference. An in-person award will be made at our subsequent conference.
On behalf of the Association, our heartiest congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
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
Vacant 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
Judicial Education and Resources
The following links are education and resources provided by various sources throughout the State.
Maricopa County Podcasts
Click here to view access and connect to numerous podcasts on a variety of subjects of interest to limited jurisdiction judges.
Maricopa County Resources
Click here to access and connect to several resources available to assist in the management and operations of our courts.
FAIR JUSTICE MITGATION BENCH CARD EFFECTIVE 01-01-19
Maricopa County COVID-19 Resources
Click here to view access and connect to several resources regarding COVID-19.
Wendell
UPCOMING EVENTS
AZ Justice of the Peace Association/AZ Magistrates Association Conference - September 7-10, 2021 - Prescott (Postponed)
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.
TUESDAY, 9/3/19
3-6 p.m. Registration
5-7 p.m. President’s Reception
WEDNESDAY, 9/4/19
9-9:30 a.m. Opening/Presentation of Colors/Awards & Announcements
9:30-10:30 a.m. The Road Ahead: Chief Justice Robert Brutinel (Plenary Session)
10:45 a.m.-Noon Working Smarter Together:
Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch
1-2 p.m. Hot Topics for Judges:
Class Materials: Montgomery, Penzone
Performance Reviews:
Class Materials: Slides
When the Public Comes Calling:
Class Materials: Slides, Handouts
2:15-3:15 p.m. Time Standards:
Class Materials: Handout
Compliance with Law, with AOC Assistance:
Class Materials: Handout, Slides, Links
Interpreting Challenges:
Class Materials: Handout 1, Handout 2, Handout 3,
Handout 4, Handout 5, Handout 6, Handout 7,
3:30-4:30 p.m. Effective Court Responses for People Suffering from Mental Illness.
Class Materials: Handout, Slides
What’s New and Improved about AJACS?:
Surviving Operational Reviews:
Class Materials: Handout #1, Handout #2
THURSDAY, 9/5/19
9-10 a.m. New Rules and Points to Ponder:
Class Materials: Case Law Handout, Case Law Slides,
Legislative Handout, Warrant Bond Slides, Link #1,
10:15-11:45 a.m. Criminal Justice Reform:
Class Materials: #1 Community Town Halls Final Report, #2 "Criminal Justice in Arizona” statewide Town Hall
Recommendations Report
11:45-1 p.m. LUNCH
AJPA Board will meet.
1-2 p.m. Distracted Driving Concerns:
Cameras in Court:
Class Materials: Handouts
Securing Our Networks:
Class Materials: Handout 1, Handout 2
2:15-3:15 p.m. Where we are with Court Security:
Class Materials: Handouts, Slides
Risk Assessment/Intimate Partners:
Specialty Courts:
Class Materials: Slides, Statutes
3:30-4:45 p.m. Understanding the New OP/Injunctions Process: Class Materials: Handout
5-7 p.m. A Movie, Burgers, Hot Dogs & More:
FRIDAY, 9/6/19
9-11 a.m. What Did You Think?:
Click here for Presenter Biographies
2021 Conference Information
Arizona Justice of the Peace Association & Arizona Magistrates Association Conference
To all Justices of the Peace, Magistrates, Pro Tem Judges & Court Staff
It’s time to make plans for the 2021 AJPA & AMA Conference.
The past 15 months have been an extraordinary mix of change, adaption, and reflection, with cancelled conferences, ever-evolving administrative orders at all levels of our court system, and constant challenges. We’ve become accustomed to Zoom and Teams meetings, new protocols for our staff and community, and novel ways of conducting our work. We have a lot to talk about, much to share and, this year more familiar opportunities to do so.
We’re excited that our 2021 AJPA Conference will take place September 7,8,9, & 10, 2021, at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center, 1500 State Route 69, Prescott, Arizona.
There is a room block set up for you: We have reserved rooms in the hotel and have a deadline to book them. You should secure your room as soon as possible. We are taking the biggest part of the hotel, so please get your reservations in early. The ROOM BLOCK GROUP CODE is #G9721. Contact the Prescott Resort at 1-888-657-7855 for reservations, and ask for the room block rate of $79 (+ 12.6% privilege tax) per night for each single, double, or triple. Check in time at hotel is 3 p.m. and late check out time is Noon. One of the reasons we can keep the room rate so low is that there are no breakfast vouchers. The hotel will let you reserve your room for up to (3) days prior to the conference for the Labor Day Weekend at the group rate, and (3) days following the conference. The DEADLINE for room Reservation is August 16, 2021. After August 16th, the availability of hotel rooms cannot be guaranteed.
About our 2021 Conference programming: We are again pleased to be working with the Arizona Magistrates Association in developing this year’s sessions. Significantly, we’re also working with the AOC/Arizona Supreme Court to create an important plenary reviewing how our court system has responded in this year-plus of crisis, what we have learned, what best practices we have developed, and the planning in hand as we move forward. Other sessions will focus on Tribal Cultures & Awareness, Information & Disinformation, Ethics, and Self-Represented Litigants, as well as important updates on new rules, procedures, domestic-violence and DUI issues, evictions & writs, cyber security and much, much more.
Special Note: Gabe Goltz will hold a "Movie Night" again on Thursday, right after the main session. Due to the high cost involved, we will have popcorn and beverages available, but unfortunately, we will not be serving the customary hamburger/hot dog meal. The movie will be over by 7 p.m., giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy a meal elsewhere.
We will send you more program details, when specifics have been confirmed.
For easy reference:
- · Our Conference will take place 9/7-10/2021 (Tuesday to Friday noon) at the Prescott Resort in Prescott, AZ.
- · Make your room reservation ASAP to secure your accommodations. Rooms are limited. (Cut-off date 8/16/2021)
- · To make a reservation, contact the Prescott Resort at 1-888-657-7855.
- · Use AJPA Group Code #G9721 to receive a rate of $79 (+12.6% privilege tax) per room night.
- · Rooms may be reserved up to three days in advance and three days following the conference.
We look forward to seeing you all in the cooler country. Please print this out so you have all the date and phone information to make your room reservations.
Click here for Conference Registration Form
Materials and Bios for the 2021 Conference
Please note: Class Materials will 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
TUESDAY, 9/7/21
3-6 p.m. Registration
5-7 p.m. President’s Reception
WEDNESDAY, 9/8/21
9-9:30 a.m. Opening/Presentation of Colors/Awards & Announcements
9:30-Noon The Court and COVID: Chief Justice Robert Brutinel (Plenary Session)
Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch
1-2 p.m. New Law/Rules/Cases: Hon. James Blake, Hon. Jerry Landau, Hon. Paul Julien
Class Materials:
AJACS Tips & Tricks: TBD
Class Materials:
De-Escalation Strategies: Hon. Rob Krombeen
Class Materials:
2:15-3:15 p.m. DUI: TBD
Class Materials:
Court Security Protocols: TBD
Class Materials:
What I Know Now: Elizabeth Rogers
Class Materials:
3:30-4:30 p.m. Hot Topics: Hon. Dorothy Little, Hon. Sherwood Johnston, et. al.
Class Materials:
4:45-5:30 p.m. AZ Magistrates Association Board Meeting: Hon. Sherwood Johnston
THURSDAY, 9/9/21
9-10 a.m. Innovative Practices:
Class Materials:
10:15-11:45 a.m. Tribes and Cultures: TBD
11:45-1 p.m. LUNCH
AJPA Board will meet.
1-2 p.m. Mad Skills: TBD
Class Materials:
Domestic Violence Issues: TBD
Class Materials:
Evictions & Writs: Hon. Anna Huberman, Hon Charles Adornetto
Class Materials:
2:15-3:15 p.m. Cyber Security:
Class Materials:
Self Represented Litigants:
Class Materials:
Homeless/Mental Health Specialty Courts:
Class Materials:
3:30-4:30 p.m. Information/Disinformation: Aaron Nash, AOC Class Materials:
5-7 p.m. Movie Night: Gabe Goltz, AOC
FRIDAY, 9/10/21
9-11 a.m. Movie - Ethics Discussion: Gabe Goltz, AOC
Click here for Presenter Biographies