VOTE411 Voter Guide

I’ve been a licensed attorney since 1995. I was a successful private practitioner from that time until 2017 when I was appointed to the bench by Governor Doug Ducey. Chief Justice Brutinel appointed me Presiding Judge of Mohave County in 2021 and Chief Justice Timmer reconfirmed that appointment in 2024.

During law school I was a member of the law review and graduated cum laude. I was a student attorney with Legal Aid, providing pro bono representation to those in need.

During my career, I’ve won numerous pro bono awards from Community Legal Services for my representation of those in need.

I’m sensitive to the plight of rural families lacking access to mental health and substance abuse treatment resources. My parents were both drug users which caused them to lose custody of my brothers and I. We were placed in foster care. While my mother eventually recovered and regained custody, my father never did. I was only able to afford college due to my service as a U.S. Marine.

During my time as presiding judge, we’ve: 1) improved technology for remote appearances which reduces time needed to take off work; 2) improved ease of use of our court website [including forms and instructions] to assist those who cannot afford an attorney; 3) improved case processing and efficiencies which speeds resolution of cases so people can get in with their lives.

We need to do more. We need to expand court navigators and law librarians to assist self-represented litigants in processing their cases, which will aid in timely resolution by reducing delays. We need more mediators so parents have a chance to resolve a family case without seeing a judge, empowering families and reducing the trauma of adversarial litigation. For non-violent, non-repeat offenders, we need efficient diversion programs so they can maintain employment and keep their families intact, while the same time paying their debt to society and avoid the a drain on public resources associated with incarceration.

In sentencing the courts have historically considered the three “Rs” - retribution, restitution, and rehabilitation. If a person has committed a crime, punishment is appropriate to deter future criminal activity. That punishment should be geared towards making the victim whole [to the extent possible, not all harm can be healed] while protecting society and, possible, placing defendants onto a more socially positive and productive path.

That isn’t always possible. Some people have a pattern of violence, abuse and a general disrespect to societal norms that they cannot be safely rehabilitated outside of incarceration. But for many, they are not violent, do not have an extensive history, and their problems are more rooted in poor mental health or substance abuse (often both). Knowing the type of person a judge is dealing with, their history, circumstances, and difficulties, is critical in making a sentencing decision consistent the common sense and the Arizona sentencing guidelines.

The number of cases being filed are only increasing in Mohave County. The demand for legal services across the board [law enforcement, attorneys, courts] has increased faster than local government can keep pace. The courts are short judges, clerks, courtroom space, and other staff, while having an increased number of victims, litigants, and justice partners who want speedy access to the court and timely resolution to their cases. Considering Mohave County’s budget constraints, there is no quick fix. But over time, we hope to work the with Board of Supervisors to address these defiecencies, while at the same time coming with cost-effective solutions that address immediate needs.