The following Opinion Ratings were given to each specific Judge based on individual interactions between the Judge and a Member Attorney (or Attorney’s) from DM Cantor.
The criteria codes for rating each Judge, based on our Attorney’s Opinion of that Judge’s Legal/Procedural Rulings, are as follows:
- Pro-Defendant’s Constitutional Rights
- Neutral
- Pro-Prosecution
- Pro-Defendant’s Constitutional Rights to Neutral
- Pro-Prosecution to Neutral
- Mainly Pro-Defendant’s Constitutional Rights, but can be all over the spectrum
- Mainly Neutral, but can be all over the spectrum
- Mainly Pro-Prosecution, but can be all over the spectrum
- No Opinion
The criteria codes for rating each Judge based on our Attorney’s opinion of that Judge’s past Sentencings (if given discretion) are as follows:
- Pro-Defendant’s Rehabilitation
- Neutral
- Harsh
- Pro-Defendant’s Rehabilitation to Neutral
- Harsh to Neutral
- Mainly Pro-Defendant’s Rehabilitation, but can be all over the spectrum
- Mainly Neutral, but can be all over the spectrum
- Mainly Harsh, but can be all over the spectrum
- No Opinion
- Adelman, Jay
- Adornetto, Charles
- Ainley, Tina
- Allen, Robin
- Anagnsot, George
- Anderson, Lex
- Araujo, Michael
- Arriola, Elizabeth
- Ash, Cecil
- Astrowsky, Brad
- Babeu, Shaun
- Bacal, Susan (Precinct 8)
- Bachus, Allison (Juvenile/ Durango)
- Baeza, Rebecca
- Barsetti, Mary Jo
- Baxter, Jean
- Bayardi, Marianne
- Beene, James (Juvenile/ Mesa)
- Beresky, Justin (Mesa / Southeast Facility)
- Berning, Thomas
- Berry, Carol
- Blake, James
- Bluff, Michael
- Bodow, Keelan (South Court Tower)
- Bolton, Susan
- Bownan, Leslie (Tucson)
- Boyer-Wells, Valerye
- Boyle, John
- Bravo, Larry
- Brewer, Maria
- Brickner, Nicole (South Court Tower)
- Brown, Barbara
- Browning, Christopher
- Brown- Nichols, Cathleen
- Brian, Mark
- Burkholder, John
- Burns, Michelle
- Bury, David (Tucson)
- Buttrick, John (Yuma)
- Callahan, Dwight
- Camacho, Doug (Juvenile, Drug Court)
- Campbell, David
- Carson, Keith
- Certa, Cynthia
- Chambers, Bryan
- Chayet, Nikki
- Chon-Lopez, Javier
- Chotena, Thomas
- Coffey, Rodrick (Juvenile/ Mesa)
- Cohen, Bruce (Juvenile/ Durango)
- Collins, Raner (Tucson)
- Como, Greg
- Conn, Steven
- Contes, Connie (Juvenile/ Durango)
- Conti, Frank
- Cota, Francisca
- Coury, Christopher)
- Cranshaw, T. Jay
- Crawford, Janice (Juvenile/ Mesa)
- Cunanan, David (South Court Tower)
- Cutchen, David
- Davis, Jill
- Delgado, Manuel
- Dellas, Hercules
- Discher, Nancy
- Dolny, Carmin (Precinct 4)
- Dominguez, Louis
- Duncan, Sally (Juvenile/ Durango)
- Dunham, James
- Eisele, Brett
- Ellsworth, John
- Fell, Howard (Pro Tem)
- Ferraro, Thomas (Tucson)
- Fine, Deborah (Flagstaff)
- Fink, Dean
- Finn, Elizabeth
- Flake, Dee
- Flores, Lisa (Juvenile/ Old Court House)
- Foster, George
- Fujii, Craig
- Fuller, Steven
- Garcia, Richard
- Gastelum, Andy
- Gates, Pamela (South Court Tower)
- Georgini, Joseph
- Geraldine, Hale
- Getzwiller, Joe
- Gialketsis, Cynthia (Mesa/ Southeast Facility)
- Giaquinto, Laura (South Court Tower)
- Goday, Teresa (Pro Tem)
- Gonzales, Cynthia
- Goodman, Samuel
- Gordon, Michael (South Court Tower)
- Granville, Warren (South Court Tower)
- Grodman, Howard
- Gurtler, Charles (Juvenile)
- Guzman, Joe “Pep”
- Hancock, Cele
- Harris, Danielle
- Hazel Jr, James
- Hegyi, Hugh
- Hendrix, Statia
- Hernandez, James
- Hintze, Michael
- Hubberman, Anna
- Hudson, Wilbur
- Huerta, David
- Humetewa, Diane
- Ireland, Jackie
- Jackson, Walter Lee
- Jantzen, Lee
- Jenja, Orest
- Jennings, Craig
- Jorgenson, Cindy (Tucson)
- Kaiser, Brian (Mesa/ Southeast Facility)
- Kaiser, Katherine
- Kalauli, Mitch
- Keegan, Miles
- Kemp, Michael
- Kiley, Daniel
- Kissell, Tyler
- Klotz, Jeffrey
- Lafave, Julie (South Court Tower)
- Lafleur, Gary
- Latham, Michael
- Laurin-Walker, Nicole
- Little, Dorthy
- Liwski, Danelle
- Logan, Steven
- Lowery, Laura
- MacDonald, Bruce (Tucson)
- Mackey, David
- Mahoney, Margaret (South Court Tower)
- Markovich, Eric (Tucson)
- Marquez, Rosemary (Tucson)
- Martin, Daniel (Juvenile/ Old Court House)
- Martinez, Adeline
- Martone, Fredrick
- Mata, Julie (South Court Tower)
- McCarville, Stephen
- McCoy, Scott (South Court Tower)
- McGuire, J. Justin
- Mclaughlin, Jane (4th Ave. Jail)
- McNamee, Stephen
- Melton, Robert
- Metcalf, James (Yuma)
- Miller, Phemonia
- Million, Wendy
- Moran, Mark
- Morgan, Monte
- Moss, Jon
- Mroz, Rosa (South Court Tower)
- Murray, Snow
- Myers, Sam (South Court Tower)
- Newcomb, Casey (South Court Tower)
- Nothwehr, Richard L. “Rick”
- Nyquist, Monyette
- O’ Connor, Karen (Juvenile/ Durango)
- O’ Neill, Christopher
- Olcavage, Joseph
- Olohan, Stephanie
- Olson, Elizabeth
- Osterfeld, David
- Otis, Erin (South Court Tower)
- Padilla, Jose
- Palmer, David (Juvenile/ Mesa)
- Perkins, Allen (Pro Tem)
- Perlman, John
- Pollard, Michael
- Popko, Sigmund (4th Ave. Jail)
- Psareas, Pete
- Quickle, Jessica
- Rateau, Jacqueline (Tucson)
- Rayes, Douglas
- Rea, John (South Court Tower)
- Reed, Ted
- Reinstein, Peter
- Richter, Virgina
- Riggs, Cathy
- Riggs, Lyle
- Ring, Craig
- Riojas Jr., Antonio
- Roads, Lee Ann
- Rosenblatt, Paul
- Rummage, James
- Russell, Keith
- Ryan, Timothy (Juvenile/ Mesa)
- Sampanes, James
- Sanders, Teresa (South Court Tower)
- Sauls, Sharron
- Scales, Gary (Pro Tem)
- Seyer, David
- Shetter, Susan
- Silver, Roslyn
- Sinclair, Joan
- Singer, Jeffrey
- Sipe, Billy
- Skupin, Alicia
- Slayton, Dan
- Soto, James (Tucson)
- Stephens, Sherry (South Court Tower)
- Taber, Tyrrell
- Tafoya, Matias
- Taylor, John
- Teliburg, James
- Tuchi, John
- Urie, Steve
- Van Wie, Annielaurie
- Velasco, Bernardo (Tucson)
- Viola, Danielle (South Court Tower)
- Wake, Neil
- Washington, Eartha K. (4th Ave. Jail)
- Watters, Adam (Precinct 1)
- Watts, Donald
- Wein, Kevin (South Court Tower)
- Wharton, Lawrence
- White, Kevin
- White, Susan
- Willett, Eileen
- Williams, Cody
- Williams, Gerald
- Williams, Paula (4th Ave. Jail)
- Williams, Rick (Juvenile, Drug Court)
- Wismer, Craig
- Withey, Carrie
- Wright, Timothy
- Zapata, Frank (Tucson)
- Zipps, Jennifer (Tucson)
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Comments: In our opinion, it is best to be well prepared and on time with this particular Judge. He can be somewhat temperamental with Defense Counsel if they are lacking professional skills. It is our advice to hire a very well prepared Attorney to present thoroughly researched and well reasoned legal briefs on your behalf when appearing in his courtroom.
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Comments: In our opinion, our Attorneys have found that if you have legitimate Mitigation Evidence this Judge will impose a more lenient sentence. She can be harsh on Child Pornography cases, but less so than some other Judges. All in all, it is our advice that you have a very well prepared Attorney appear in front of her on your behalf. All legal briefs should be thoroughly researched and well reasoned.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: This Judge used to be a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge. He is extremely knowledgeable and knows the Rules very well. He will conduct very efficient and through Jury Trials while maintaining all Constitutional Protections for a Defendant. Our advice is to have a very aggressive, thoroughly prepared Attorney who files well reasoned and well researched legal briefs on your behalf when in his courtroom.
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Comments: None at this time.
Attention: Purely Subjective Opinion
Court Name: United States District Court, District of Arizona
Honorable Magistrate: Duncan, David
Opinion of Legal / Procedural Rulings: Pro-Defendant’s Constitutional Rights to Neutral
Opinion of Sentencing (if given discretion): Pro-Defendant’s Rehabilitation to Neutral
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Comments: This Judge has a great demeanor, is very intelligent and respectful to all parties in the courtroom. He will read all legal briefs and thoroughly examine all facts and law before making a Ruling. He holds the Government to their burden of proof. As always, it is best to have a well prepared Defense Attorney filing thoroughly researched briefs on your behalf when appearing in his courtroom.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: In our opinion, this Judge is Pro-Prosecution. He can sometimes be temperamental, and has been known to become visibly irritated with Defense Attorneys. Before appearing in his courtroom, it is best to hire a very aggressive and thoroughly prepared Defense Attorney to argue on your behalf. It will be necessary in this courtroom.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: This Judge was a former Maricopa County Superior Court Judge. He is very intelligent, and his Rulings are well reasoned. He will thoroughly examine the evidence and hold the Government to their burden of proof. This will be dependent on having a thoroughly prepared and aggressive Defense Attorney filing well reasoned and well researched legal briefs on your behalf.
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Comments: This Judge can be highly unpredictable. If you are in her courtroom, it is best to hire an aggressive and thoroughly prepared Defense Attorney. They will need to file well reasoned and thoroughly researched legal briefs. In our opinion, Defense Counsel should also know how to time their legal arguments, as she can be somewhat temperamental.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: None at this time.
Attention: Purely Subjective Opinion
Court Name: University Lakes Justice Court
Honorable Judge: Kissell, Tyler
Opinion of Legal / Procedural Rulings: Mainly Pro-Prosecution, but can be all over the spectrum
Opinion of Sentencing (if given discretion): Mainly Neutral, but can be all over the spectrum
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Comments: In our opinion, this Justice of the Peace micromanages cases in order to try and resolve them as quickly as possible. It is difficult to get a continuance granted in order to thoroughly conduct Interviews and Discovery. Although he can be temperamental to both sides, it appears as if he does not realize that many times the Prosecutor and Officers are the reason for delays of Interviews being set. If you are going to be in his courtroom, it is best to have a well prepared and aggressive Defense Attorney appear for you. Well reasoned and thoroughly researched legal briefs will need to be filed on your behalf.
Per the Arizona Constitution, a Justice of the Peace (JP) is not required to be a Lawyer, or even to have attended Law school. In fact, a JP is not required to have gone beyond a High School Diploma. JP’s are chosen by popular election and then they are given several weeks of legal/judicial training before taking the bench, which is supplemented with a few more weeks of training annually. This particular JP is not a licensed Arizona Lawyer. It is our opinion that using a Defense Lawyer on your behalf can assist all Non-Lawyer JP’s with navigating the law.
Attention: Purely Subjective Opinion
Court Name: West McDowell Justice Court
Honorable Judge: Carrillo, Rachel
Opinion of Legal / Procedural Rulings: Neutral
Opinion of Sentencing (if given discretion): Pro-Defendant’s Rehabilitation
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Comments: Per the Arizona Constitution, a Justice of the Peace (JP) is not required to be a Lawyer, or even to have attended Law school. In fact, a JP is not required to have gone beyond a High School Diploma. JP’s are chosen by popular election and then they are given several weeks of legal/judicial training before taking the bench, which is supplemented with a few more weeks of training annually. This particular JP is not a licensed Arizona Lawyer. It is our opinion that using a Defense Lawyer on your behalf can assist all Non-Lawyer JP’s with navigating the law.
Attention: Purely Subjective Opinion
Court Name: West Mesa Justice Court
Honorable Judge: Arnett, Fred
Opinion of Legal / Procedural Rulings: No Opinion
Opinion of Sentencing (if given discretion): No Opinion
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Comments: None at this time.
Attention: Purely Subjective Opinion
Court Name: White Tank Justice Court
Honorable Judge: Osterfeld, David
Opinion of Legal / Procedural Rulings: Pro-Prosecution
Opinion of Sentencing (if given discretion): Harsh
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Comments: This particular Judge is a formal Civil Attorney. He appears to favor the Prosecution and in our opinion accepts credibility of testifying Officers before that of Non-Officers. In certain situations in which he is given discretion to dismiss cases should certain fees should be paid, he has refused to do so. When interviewing an Attorney to appear on your behalf, it is wise to ask if they have ever filed a “Notice for Change of Judge”, and also ask what their individual experience is with this particular Judge.
Per Rule 10.2 of the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure, a Defendant, Defense Attorney or Prosecutor can file for a “Notice Change of Judge” within 10 days of Arraignment or being assigned a particular Judge. A Notice for Change of Judge is filed in order to be reassigned to a different Judge. This can be done by choice as long as the Notice is filed in good faith and not for the purposes of the following: Delay; to obtain severance; to interfere with the reasonable case management practice of a Judge; to remove a Judge for reasons of race, gender or religion. It is also unethical to use Rule 10.2 for these additional reasons: Using the Rule against a particular Judge in blanket fashion by a defender group or Law Firm; in order to obtain a more convenient geographical location; or to obtain an advantage (or avoid disadvantage) in connection with a plea bargain (or sentencing) except as permitted under Rule 17.4(G).
In the past, some of our Attorneys have, properly and in good faith, independently chosen to file a “Notice for Change of Judge” when assigned to this particular Judge in order to have a different Judge assigned to their case. It is our opinion that you should ask any Attorney you interview about whether they have ever appeared before your assigned Judge and whether they will, or will not, be filing a “Notice for Change of Judge”
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Comments: None at this time.
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Comments: In our opinion, this Judge is very intelligent and issues very well reasoned Rulings. She will entertain arguments that are thoroughly briefed and supported with case law. She appears to be engaged, and holds the Prosecutor to their burden of proof. It is best to have an aggressive and well prepared Defense Attorney appear on your behalf in her courtroom. It will be necessary to file thoroughly researched and well reasoned legal briefs in order to get the best result possible.
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Comments: None at this time.
* Disclaimer: These opinions are complied in aggregate and are purely subjective and not based on any empirical research or statistics. You should ask any Attorney you interview for purposes of representation to give you their opinion regarding the individual Judge involved in your case.
* This list is updated bi-annually in January and July.