Justice of the PeaceEvery county has justice courts presided over by a Justice of the Peace. Each court has one justice of the peace and one constable. Justice courts primarily deal in small claims cases for $10,000 or less. They handle misdemeanor crimes, protective orders, evictions, traffic infractions (including DUIs), and small-dollar civil matters, such as shoplifting and writing bad checks. The number of justices in a county depends on the population. Justices do not need to be attorneys or have any specific education. 4-year term.Why you should care:Due to the nature of the offenses they adjudicate, many people will have some interaction with one of their county justices of the peace. Justice courts also hear many non-criminal civil disputes, often without attorneys; in these cases, the justice of the peace will interact directly with residents.For additional information:https://www.azcourts.gov/AZ-Courts/Justice-Courts
Campaign Phone
480-993-9759
Qualifications and Experience
Michael Caruth has nearly 20 years of experience in public service, education, and community leadership. As Regional Director for First Things First and in multiple leadership roles with Blue Ridge Unified School District, he gained expertise in governance, budgeting, personnel management, compliance, and public engagement. Committed to integrity, accountability, and fairness, Michael is dedicated to upholding the law, ensuring equal treatment, and maintaining an accessible, impartial, and responsive justice system.
Memberships & Affiliations
Member of the Blue Ridge Scholarship Foundation, Former Treasurer of the White Mountain Nature Center Board, Treasurer of the Strong Schools Matter PAC, Volunteer for the Blue Ridge School District Teacherages Housing Project
Endorsements
Judge Ryan Reinhold, Judge David Widmaier, Judge Robert Higgins and White Mountain Democrats
Community Service
Over 15 years of community service supplying books from Three Rivers Literacy Initiative to k-12 students around Navajo and Apache Counties.
Education
Marketing and Business Management Coursework at ASU. Completed Certificates in Business Management at NPC.
Nearly 20 years of public service, experience working with local and tribal governments, knowledge of Arizona laws and regulations, proven leadership and management skills, a commitment to fairness and equal treatment, and a record of serving the communities of the Navajo and Apache region with integrity and accountability.
One of the greatest challenges facing the Justice Court in Precinct 6 is serving a large, geographically dispersed population that includes expansive Tribal lands. This creates unique challenges related to access to the court, communication, transportation, and ensuring that residents understand and can effectively navigate the justice system. My experience working throughout the Navajo and Apache region has given me a strong understanding of the communities served by Precinct 6. Through my work in education, early childhood programs, and community engagement, I have built relationships with families, tribal leaders, and local organizations and have firsthand knowledge of the issues affecting our communities, particularly our youth. As Justice of the Peace, I would focus on making the court accessible, responsive, and respectful to everyone it serves.
When making sentencing decisions, I would carefully consider the facts of the case, the applicable law, the impact on victims and the community, and the individual circumstances of the person before the court. My responsibility would be to apply the law fairly and consistently while promoting accountability, public safety, and opportunities for rehabilitation when appropriate. Every case deserves to be evaluated on its own merits, without bias or favoritism.
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