Arizona Superior Court in Pima County
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 by Arizona Superior Court in Pima County
Presiding Judge Hon. Danelle Liwski announces that the Court’s Hiring Committee is accepting applications for the current vacancy of full-time Judge Pro Tempore.
The duties of this position include presiding over all phases of a broad range of criminal cases as well as specialty criminal courts, such as Drug Court, Substance Use, Mental Health Response Team (SMRT), and Supportive Treatment and Engagement Programs (STEPs). Additional duties may include felony trials, changes of plea, motions to modify release conditions, sentencings, petitions to revoke, evidentiary hearings, and other criminal matters as needed by the Court. Qualifications and salary information are set forth in §§A.R.S. 12-142 and 12-143. The current annual salary is $190,000; effective January 1, 2026, it will become $200,000 annually.
A Judge Pro Tempore of the Superior Court shall be the following: not less than thirty years of age; of good moral character; admitted to the practice of law in this state for not less than five years next preceding his/her appointment; a resident of this state for not less than five years next preceding his/her appointment.
In addition, the Arizona Superior Court in Pima County requires that no applicant will be approved for a Judge Pro Tempore appointment if the applicant does not have an active status as an attorney. If a disciplinary check reveals the applicant is presently participating in an attorney disciplinary diversion program where probable cause was found the applicant committed an ethical violation, or if formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated, the applicant may be disqualified. Further, the applicant must not have any criminal charges pending before any court.
Criminal law experience is required.
Please submit a resume and cover letter with the application. Applications are available at the AZ Superior Court in Pima County, 9th floor reception, or may be downloaded from the website at www.sc.pima.gov (under NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS section) - scroll to the bottom of this page and click on “DOWNLOAD JUDGE PRO TEMPORE APPLICATION”.
Submissions must be tendered to the Pima County Superior Court, Human Resources, 110 W. Congress, 9th floor, Tucson, AZ 85701; faxed to (520) 724-4253 OR e-mailed to [email protected]
NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JULY 21, 2025, by 12:00 p.m.
The applications will be submitted to the Hon. Greg Sakall and Hon. Casey McGinley, Co-Chairs of the Hiring Committee. The Committee will review the applications, interview selected applicants, and recommend candidates to the Presiding Judge, who shall make the appointment. Questions may be directed to Human Resources, (520) 724-4217; TDY (520) 724-8887.
The Committee may, at its discretion, treat the applications filed for this vacancy as an application for any additional similar vacancy or vacancies that become known to the Committee after the application has been submitted.
Judicial Officer Applicant Mentor Program
Looking for insights into the role of a Judge Pro Tempore, details on the application process, or practice with mock interviews as an applicant? Pima County Superior Court has a mentor program resource to assist prospective applicants.
Supported by volunteers who are current judicial officers, the Judicial Officer Applicant Mentorship Program is designed to bolster an applicant’s readiness for the hiring process. Mentor judicial officers may meet with applicants and answer questions about the process. The mentor may not serve as an advocate in the formal hiring process but will provide information and feedback to the applicant and be available to help guide the prospective judicial officer through the application process.
The role of Judge Pro Tempore is critical to Pima County Superior Court and the community we serve.
To obtain a mentor, please send an email request to [email protected].