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.
2019 Annual JP Conference - Prescott, AZ
September 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2019
Justices of the Peace, Pro Tem Judges, Magistrates & Clerks.
It its time to make plans for the JP Conference 2019.
Conference Registration is now open!!
Click this link for the Conference Registration Form!!
We will be staying at The PRESCOTT RESORT, 1500State Route 69, Prescott, AZ.
There is a room block already set up for you. There are 100 rooms in the hotel and we will have a deadline to book them. Due to the early morning startup of the conference on Wednesday, for those of you traveling a good distance, the hotel will let you reserve your rooms for up to (3) days prior to the conference and (2) days after.
The DEADLINE for room Reservation is August 3, 2019.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ROOM BLOCK GROUP CODE IS: #G9418
PRESCOTT RESORT: 1-888-657-7855 (call for reservations ask for the room block)
RATES: $72.00 each SINGLE, DOUBLE OR TRIPLE +12.6% Privilege
Check in time at the hotel is 3 PM and Late check out time is 12 NOON.
NO BREAKFAST VOUCHER THIS YEAR. Breakfast will be on your own.
MAKE ROOM RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT. THEY WILL HAVE AN OVERFLOW HOTEL AVAILABLE.
Any rooms left after the deadline of August 3rd, the hotel will release to the public and you will need to make other arrangements.
Back by popular demand:
SPECIAL THURSDAY NIGHT CLASS – MOVIE NIGHT which includes Hot Dogs – Hamburgers - Potato Salad and Popcorn
(Food Selection will be required in advance)
Spouses are welcome to attend Movie Night for a charge of $20.00 pre-paid.
The Arizona Magistrates Association will also be holding its meeting with the conference.
Please print this out so you have all the date and phone information to make your reservations.
2019 Conference Schedule
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.
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)
10:30-10:45 a.m. BREAK
10:45 a.m.-Noon Working Smarter Together: Practical tips on team- building and communication within and across our jurisdictions and communities. (Plenary Session)
Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch
1-2 p.m. Hot Topics for Judges: A panel discussion regarding current events that affect our justices of the peace and magistrates, from elections and retentions to consolidation, the closing of courts, specialty courts, and the question as to whether or not justices can hear cases from other jurisdictions.
Performance Reviews: This session will focus on the purpose and fundamentals of an Employee Performance Management System, and participants will be encouraged to compare their current system to those fundamentals. Participants will learn the process of aligning the individual performance goals with organizational objectives. Further discussions will include the rater biases that unintentionally creep into Employee Performance Management reviews, which can cause legal concerns. Finally, there will be an open discussion on the usefulness of annual performance evaluations, and potential alternatives.
When the Public Comes Calling: How do we handle records requests? What needs to be redacted? What can be shared, and what can’t? What are best practices to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and compliance?
2-2:15 p.m. BREAK
2:15-3:15 p.m. Time Standards: Different standards are used for small claims filings in Maricopa and Pima counties, and in rural courts. Why, and how do we handle it? We’ll also get a report on a new DUI committee’s study relating to time standards.
How to Comply with the AOC?: We want to keep everyone happy, so what are the best ways to deal with requests, new rules, and procedures? How do we deal most effectively with questions and policies?
Interpreting Challenges: What are the requirements for interpreters in our courts? How do we hire, train, and retain credentialed interpreters? How do we comply, particularly in our rural courts, and provide the best possible service to our clients?
Class Materials: Handout 1, Handout 2, Handout 3,
Handout 4, Handout 5, Handout 6, Handout 7,
3:15-3:30 p.m. BREAK
3:30-4:30 p.m. Effective Court Responses for People Suffering from Mental Illness. The vast majority of persons with mental illness first come into contact with the criminal Justice system in justice and municipal courts. This session will provide an update on the work of the Statewide Committee on Mental Health in the Justice System, including proposals for legislative consideration and details about current and potential future areas or work. The update will also include information on the latest AOC efforts to encourage better coordination around mental health issues at the local level, and time for Q&A.
What’s New and Improved about AJACS?: Most of our courts utilize AJACS for our case-management system, and this session will share updates and changes, take a look at special tricks, and provide the opportunity to ask questions and provide input.
Surviving Operational Reviews: Record keeping and case-processing deficiencies in a court’s operations can hamper the daily function of the court. Operational reviews are performed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Courts are routinely cited for not properly reporting dispositions, lack of financial controls, and non-compliance with the Rules of Court. This class will discuss some of those common findings, what you can do to prevent them, and the Operational Review process.
4:45-5:45 p.m. AZ Magistrates Association Meeting
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
THURSDAY, 9/5/19
9-10 a.m. New Rules and Points to Ponder: This key session offers a running commentary on new and changed legislative requirements, new court rules, new trends. (Plenary Session)
Class Materials: Case Law Handout, Case Law Slides,
10-10:15 a.m BREAK
10:15-11:45 a.m. Criminal Justice Reform: The 2018 Arizona Town Hall spent the better part of the year in a focus on Criminal Justice in Arizona, convening meetings throughout the state with hundreds of Arizonans. In November, the Town Hall process developed, during an intensive three day period, a comprehensive recommendation on the subject. Arizona Town Hall reports very often lead to legislative actions. This session will focus on the Final Report and its highlights, and, importantly, on the Town Hall process which brings together a wide cross-section of citizens to zero in on public policy issues. (Plenary Session)
11:45-1 p.m. LUNCH
AJPA Board will meet.
1-2 p.m. Distracted Driving Concerns: There’s new legislation and mounting concerns, as we know, and there are model programs, like “Road to Zero”. This session will look at the model and how it may be useful in our courts.
Cameras in Court: With Rule 122.2 as a guide, this session will examine how we deal with this question, our responses, county policies on the actual rule, and model policies, including a helpful “cue card”.
Class Materials: Handouts
Securing Our Networks: Understanding threats and staying safe on the internet, encrypted messages, common ‘phishIng’ examples.
Class Materials: Handout 1, Handout 2
2-2:15 p.m. BREAK
2:15-3:15 p.m. Where we are with Court Security: Advances and updates in protecting our courts, resources, opportunities and best practices.
Class Materials: Handouts, Slides
Risk Assessment/Intimate Partners: The complexities of victim and perpetrator behavior in intimate partner violence cases will be examined, with a discussion of discrete risk markers. An overview will be presented of the Arizona Intimate Partner Risk Assessment Instrument System (APRAIS) currently being adopted across Arizona and elsewhere.
Alternative Courts: There’s a comprehensive list of speciality courts that have been developed to provide better services to specific populations. How are they set up, funded, and what results do we see? This session will take a look at a Restitution Court and a Problem Solving Court model.
3:15-3:30 p.m. BREAK
3:30-4:45 p.m. Understanding the New OP/Injunctions Process: There are new requirements governing the issuance of these orders, and we need to understand them and how the process will change. The presenters have agreed to set up a demonstration of the new process (Plenary Session)
4:45-5 p.m. BREAK
5-7 p.m. A Movie, Burgers, Hot Dogs & More: Gabe Goltz introduces a movie designed to make us think. This plenary session helps satisfy the COJET Ethics credit in a relaxed and informal manner. (Plenary Session)
FRIDAY, 9/6/19
9-11 a.m. What Did You Think?: We discuss the movie we saw and the range of implications that resulted. This is the completion of the COJET Ethics credit. (Plenary Session)
11-11:15 a.m. BREAK
11:15-11:45 a.m. AzJPA Business Meeting
Click here for Presenter Biographies
(You can download Biographies and Class materials to your personal devices from this link. No printed materials will be provided on site.)
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
2018 Honorable Rob Krombeen Justice of the Peace of the Year
This year’s recipient for the Justice of the Peace of the year is currently the Presiding Judge for Coconino County and was first elected in 2010. Judge Krombeen is the Justice of the Peace and Town Magistrate in Williams Arizona. In his first year Judge Krombeen implemented new collection efforts and created a Law Day in the Williams area. Judge Krombeen was instrumental in assisting the Town of Tusayan to create a court which includes a monthly appearance and a video link which provided access to justice in this remote town.
Judge Krombeen was the Co-Chair who hosted the National Judges Association conference and meeting in Williams Arizona in 2018. Judge Krombeen made it one of his priorities was to assure his staff, court customers and himself had a high standard of security and safety. Judge Krombeen developed a video regarding security standards which has been utilized by many across the State as a training model. He is Chair of the Coconino county Security and emergency Preparedness Committee as well as serves on the Supreme Court Security Standards Committee.
Judge Krombeen writes a column about the Court in a local periodical, provided Justice Tracks training to over 125 local business people and employees in his area. Annually participates in Law Day events and Mock Trials for local High School students.
In support of Judge Krombeen the JP Association received several letters of support, including one from the Court Administrator who acknowledged his forward thinking, his ability and willingness to work with all partners of the justice system including the legislative and executive branches. Judge Krombeen was credited for being instrumental in negotiating a new IGA with the County and City of Williams, which created a seamless and more efficient consolidated Justice and Magistrate Courts.
Judge Krombeen’ s staff wrote he works above and beyond to assure the Court is the best and he continues to strive for new and innovative ways to dispense justice and encourages his team to participate in all planning aspects.
Association Officers
Honorable Dorothy Little
President
Honorable John Peck
Vice President
Honorable Michael Skiles
Treasurer
Honorable Cathy Riggs
Secretary
Honorable David Widmaier
Immediate Past President
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 Charlene Pesquira Board Member
Honorable Keith Russell Board Member
Board Members not pictured Honorable Barbara Brown, Honorable Donald Roberts, Honorable Russ Jones, Honorable Gary Griffith
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
semi-annual Executive Board meeting June 20, 2019 at noon
2019 Conference September 03 through the 6 In PRESCOTT ARIZONA
Annual Business meeting on September 6, 2019 at 11:30A.M.
Governor appoints Justice of the Peace Tim Dickerson to Superior Court in Cochise County
