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The Superior Court is part of the State’s only general jurisdiction court. Generally, there are two categories of cases heard in the Superior Court: criminal and civil. Criminal cases involve a person or entity charged with committing, attempting to commit or engaging in an activity prohibited by law and defined as a crime. Civil cases include all court cases not defined as criminal. They include such matters as disputes between citizens involved in contractual agreements and tort liability, probate matters, juvenile matters, divorces, etc.
The Superior Court has original jurisdiction of cases and proceedings in which jurisdiction is not vested by law in another court. The court has exclusive original jurisdiction in all proceedings and matters affecting dependent, neglected, incorrigible and delinquent children under eighteen years old. Through its probation departments, the Superior Court is responsible for supervising adults and juveniles on probation.
The Superior Court may hear and decide a large variety of cases of almost any type except civil less than $10,000, small claims, minor offenses, and violations of city codes and ordinances. The Court is authorized to act as an appellate court, hearing appeals from decisions made in Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts.
SUPERIOR COURT JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
| Presiding Judge |
The Presiding Judge is appointed by the Supreme Court of Arizona to serve as the presiding judge of the county for a term of up to five years. The presiding judge is the Chief Judicial Executive of the county and exercises administrative supervision over the superior court including all of its divisions and judges thereof. The presiding judge also has administrative supervision over the clerk of the superior court; gives direction to the court administrator; exercises administrative supervision over the justice of the peace courts and municipal courts in the county. |
| Associate PJ |
An Associate Presiding Judge may be appointed with the approval of the Supreme Court to act during the absence or unavailability of the presiding judge.
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| Juvenile PJ |
A Juvenile Presiding Judge may be appointed to oversee and handle all juvenile cases involving delinquency, incorrigibility and dependency.
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| Judge |
An official of the judicial branch of government with authority to decide lawsuits and preside over trials brought before the court. Judges shall be at least 30 years of age, of good moral character and admitted to the practice of law in and a resident of the State for five years preceding their taking office. |
| Commissioners |
Are appointed by the Presiding Judge from attorneys who apply and are recommended by a selection committee made up of judges, lawyers and others. Commissioners handle specific assigned cases and uncontested matters as provided by law |
| Judge Pro Tempore |
Upon request of the presiding judge the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may appoint attorneys to serve as judges pro tempore for the county. |
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