Committees, Commissions, Councils & Boards


 

 

View upcoming Committee and Commission Meetings using the Meeting Notice Calendar


Committees, commissions, councils and boards are composed of appointed members of the public, attorneys and judges who are responsible for making recommendations on issues affecting the court system statewide. 


State Bar Board of Governors Information about the appointments made by the Supreme Court to the State Bar Board of Governors.

Ad Hoc Committee on Rules of Evidence was established by Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch on March 24, 2010. See Administrative Order No. 2010-42. The Committee is charged with comparing the Arizona Rules of Evidence to the proposed restyled Federal Rules of Evidence, identifying differences, and providing input to the Supreme Court regarding conforming changes. If the Committee concludes that the Supreme Court should consider conforming changes to the Arizona Rules, it shall draft and file, not later than December 2010, a petition to amend the Arizona Rules of Evidence.

The Advisory Committee on Evidence Retention (ACER), was established by Chief Justice Robert Brutinel on January 17, 2024, by Administrative Order No. 2024-27. The Committee is charged with examining and making recommendations to court personnel responsible for practically applying the records retention and disposition schedules when managing the storage and disposition of evidence, including electronically stored evidence. The Committee will submit an interim report to the Arizona Judicial Council at its June 2024 meeting and will submit a final report to the Arizona Judicial Council at its December 2024.

Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence was established by Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch on June 11, 2012. The Committee will periodically conduct a review and analysis of the Arizona Rules of Evidence, review all proposals to amend the Arizona Rules of Evidence, compare the rules to the Federal Rules of Evidence, recommend revisions and additional rules as the Committee deems appropriate, entertain comments concerning the rules, and provide reports to this Court, as appropriate.

The Arizona Commission on Access to Justice was established by Chief Justice Scott Bales on August 20, 2014, by the entry of Administrative Order No. 2014-83. The Order directs this Commission to help serve the important Strategic Agenda goal of promoting access to justice for Arizona’s civil litigants.

Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct: (CJC) is an independent agency that investigates complaints against state and local judges involving violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct and ethics. Membership includes judges, attorneys and public members. Attorney members are appointed by the Arizona State Bar and public members are appointed by the Governor.

Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review: (JPR) reviews the performance of the justices and judges appointed under the merit selection system, makes findings as to whether the judges and justices meet judicial performance standards, and provides the performance results to voters. Membership includes attorneys, judges and public members.

The Judicial Performance Review Task Force (JPRTF), established by Administrative Order No. 2023-24, is charged with reviewing the rules of procedure of judicial performance review in Arizona, develop recommendations to expand the judicial performance review process and review the current survey questions for judges to improve survey questionnaires. The JPRTF will also develop recommendations to increase the number of completed surveys, develop a review and reporting process for new judges and develop recommendations for a review of judges with low survey responses. The JPRTF will submit a report of recommendations to the Arizona Supreme Court by October 1, 2023.
 

Arizona Judicial Council: (AJC) assists the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the administration of the state’s courts. Membership includes judges, court administrators, attorneys and public members.

Arizona State, Tribal, and Federal Court Forum provides a forum for cooperation and communication among state, tribal and federal judges to improve the quality of justice delivered in overlapping jurisdictions. Membership includes federal judges, state judges, tribal judges, attorneys and public members. 

The Arizona Steering Committee on Artificial Intelligence and the Courts (AISC) was established by Administrative Order No. 2024-33. The committee recognizes the transformative nature Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies will likely have on the justice system, such as having the potential to further improve the way courts process cases, streamline workflows and analyze legal information, and impact decision-making. The charges of the committee include advising on the use of AI technologies, serving as a collaborative platform, identifying and implementing AI solutions, developing guidelines, best practices, rules, procedures, and products.

The Attorney Ethics Advisory Committee was created in accordance with Rule 42.1 and Administrative Order No. 2018-110. The committee may issue opinions on lawyer ethics, professionalism and the unauthorized practice of law.

Attorney Regulation Advisory Committee (ARC) was created in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2011-44, to assist the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice on issues relating to attorney regulation.   ARC will monitor implementation of the new discipline process, periodically review the entire attorney admission and discipline system, and make recommendations for any needed changes.

Board of Certified Reporters makes recommendations on issues pertaining to stenographic and voice writer court reporters. Membership includes court reporters, judges, judicial staff, attorneys and public members. The Board meets regularly to review applications for initial and renewal of certification, to handle disciplinary matters, and to review and address matters relevant to Certified Reporters.

Board of Nonlawyer Legal Service Providers makes recommendations on issues related to two types of certified and limited license professionals: Legal Document Preparers (LDPs), who prepare legal documents without the supervision of an attorney; and Legal Paraprofessionals (LPs), who are licensed to provide legal services without the supervision of an attorney. The Board meets regularly to review applications for initial certification, renewals, and discipline of LDPs and for initial licensure of LPs. The State Bar of Arizona oversees LP disciplinary matters.Board membership includes legal document preparers, judicial administrators, judges, superior court clerks, attorneys, and public members.  As of June 2022, Board membership will also include legal paraprofessionals.

Capital Case Oversight Committee: established to continue examining the issues relevant to ensuring the availability of adequate resources for processing capital cases in Maricopa County and in the appellate courts of Arizona.

Child Support Guidelines Review Subcommittee was established as a subcommittee on the Family Court Improvement Committee to conduct the federally-mandated quadrennial review of the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. Also provided on the Subcommittee’s page is an online opportunity for public input.

Clerks of the Superior Court Conduct Board: (CSCCB) is to establish and maintain high standards of performance and ethical conduct for Arizona superior court clerks in administering justice and serving the public. The board is composed of seven members appointed by the chief justice.

Commission on Diversity, Equality, and Justice in the Judiciary: (CODEJ) assists the Arizona Judicial Council (AJC) in developing and implementing policies designed to promote diversity, equality, and justice in the judicial department and in the legal community in Arizona. The commission works collaboratively across the Judicial Branch to advance efforts to improve justice, eliminate bias from court operations, promote equal access to courts, and inspire a high level of trust and public confidence.

Commission on Technology: (COT) establishes the goals, policies and priorities for statewide judicial information technology. The Commission studies and recommends improvements in technology and automation. Membership includes judges, attorneys, court clerks, court administration, and public members.

Commission on Victims in the Courts: (COVIC) advises the Arizona Judicial Council (AJC) by reviewing and submitting policy recommendations and procedures to improve victim access and ensure fair treatment during their involvement in the criminal justice system.

Committee on Alternative Business Structures: (ABS) The Committee on Alternative Business Structures was created in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2020-186The Committee will review ABS applications for licensure under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 33.1 and Arizona Code of Judicial Administration section 7-209 and will make licensure recommendations to the Supreme Court.

Committee on Character and Fitness assesses character and fitness to practice law of every applicant, based on Supreme Court guidelines, and makes a recommendation tot he Supreme Court of individuals who have passed the examinations required by the Committee on Examinations and who are deemed by the Committee to be qualified on the basis of character and fitness. Membership includes active members of the State Bar and public members. 

Committee on Examinations examines applicants for admission to the practice of law and advises the Supreme Court and the Committee on Character and Fitness regarding applicants who have passed the required examinations. Membership includes active members of the State Bar.

Committee on the Impact of Domestic Violence and the Courts: (CIDVC) makes recommendations regarding policies that acknowledge the severity of the problem of domestic violence in Arizona. It recommends system changes that will promote enhanced safety for victims and the professionals who interact with them. Membership includes judges, attorneys, law enforcement, DV service providers and coalitions, and public members.

Committee on Judicial Education and Training: (COJET) establishes education and training policies and standards for judges and court personnel throughout the state. Membership consists of judges, court administrators, probation chiefs and juvenile court directors, deans of law schools, and public members.

Committee on Juvenile Courts: (COJC) was established to facilitate communication and problem solving among the juvenile court judges in regard to juvenile court matters. The Committee assists the Committee on Superior Court and the Arizona Judicial Council in the development and implementation of policies designed to improve the quality of justice; access to the courts; and efficiency in court operations. It identifies the needs of the juvenile court for all children facing delinquency and dependency issues within the jurisdiction of the court and for children otherwise involved in the judicial system. The Committee advocates for fair and equal treatment of children, plans for future developments of the juvenile system, and recommends uniform policies and procedures to improve juvenile court operations.

Committee on Limited Jurisdiction Courts: (LJC) was established as a standing committee of the Arizona Judicial Council to assist the council and the Supreme Court in the development and implementation of policies designed to improve the quality of justice, access to the courts and efficiency in court operations; identify the needs and study the internal operation of the limited jurisdiction courts; and analyze and plan for future developments and recommend uniform administrative policies and procedures to improve judicial administration.

Committee on Mental Health and the Justice System (MHJS) was established by Administrative Order No. 2018-71.  The committee is a continuation of the Task Force on Fair Justice's Subcommittee on Mental Heath and the Criminal Justice System.  The committee will develop and recommend comprehensive, evidence-based best practices and cross-agency protocols to improve the administration of civil and criminal justice for persons with mental illness.  Membership includes judges, attorneys, court officials, law enforcement, behavioral healthcare professionals, and mental health advocates.

The Committee on Probation (COP) was established in November 1990 as a standing subcommittee of the Committee on Superior Court (COSC). The COP examines current probation procedures, develops policies and procedures to improve quality, and promote standardization, consistency and coordination of probation procedures statewide.

Committee on Probation Education (COPE) oversees the research and development of probation, surveillance and detention officer training, including Probation Officer Certification, Juvenile Detention Officer Academy, Faculty Skills Development and all officer safety training. Membership consists of judges, attorneys, probation chiefs and juvenile court directors, and public members.

Committee on the Review of Supreme Court Rules Governing Professional Conduct and the Practice of Law:  Established to examine the Rules of the Supreme Court on professional conduct and the practice of law to determine if changes are desirable in light of (a) changes proposed by the American Bar Association's Commission on Ethics 20/20; (b) the changing nature of legal practice in a technologically-enabled and connected workplace; and (c) the growing trend of multi-state and international practice of law.           

Committee on Superior Court: (COSC) assists the Arizona Judicial Council and the Supreme Court in development and implementation of policies designed to improve the quality of justice, access to the courts, and efficiency in court operations. The committee studies and recommends improvements in the internal operations of the Superior Court. Membership includes judges, administrators, clerks of the Superior Court and representatives from the Committee on Probation, the Arizona State Bar and the public.

Confidential Intermediary Board: makes recommendations on issues pertaining to confidential intermediaries, adoption and sibling reunification specialists. Membership includes social workers, court staff, attorneys and public members. The Board meets regularly to review applications for initial and renewal of certification, handle disciplinary matters, and to review and address matters relevant to Confidential Intermediaries and the Sibling Information Exchange Program.

Countering Disinformation Task Force:  Established by Administrative Order No. 2019-114. The Order directs the Task Force to consider ways to promote trust and confidence in the judicial system and to ensure accurate, verifiable facts and information remain available to the public. The goal of the Task Force is to submit a report of recommendations by October 2020.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers donate their time to help the court system determine what is best for children who have come under the court's care.

Court Interpreter Program Advisory Committee (CIPAC): was established on November 20, 2015 with the issuance by the Chief Justice of Administrative Order No. 2015-98. To assist the Arizona Judicial Council carry out its responsibilities, the committee is charged with recommending policies for language access and credentialing of interpreters.

Court Leadership Institute of Arizona (CLIA): oversees the development of education programs to promote court leadership, management and succession planning for all Arizona courts and probation departments. Membership includes leadership judges, probation chiefs, court administrators, second level managers and public members.

The Court Security Standards Committee (CSSC) was established by Administrative Order No. 2015-104 to assess current court security practices in the Arizona courts, develop recommendations for court security standards, and develop recommendations for implementation of those standards. These purposes will be carried out with the assistance of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC).

Criminal Rules Regarding Victims (CRV): The Committee on Criminal Rules Regarding Victims was established to review the amendments proposed by rule petition no. R-20-0031 and to determine which provisions of Rule 39, if any, might be logically relocated, as proposed by that petition, and whether relocating a provision would help safeguard victims’ rights. The Committee will make its recommendations by May 28, 2021.

Defensive Driving Board: makes recommendations on issues pertaining to defensive driving schools and instructors. Membership includes court administrators, defensive driving school owners and instructors, judges, and public members. The Board meets regularly to review applications for initial and renew of certification, handle disciplinary matters and to review and address matters relevant to Defensive Driving. 

Ethics Task Force (Ethics TF) was established by Administrative Order 2022-22.  The Order directed the Ethics Task Force to review the unique roles and responsibilities that the Attorney General, county attorneys, and other public attorneys have in Arizona's justice system and determin if changes to the ethics rules are necessary and recommend amendments.

Family Court Improvement Committee was established by Administrative Order 2019-115 as a standing committee of the Arizona Judicial Council to assist the council and the Supreme Court in development and implementation of policies designed to improve the quality of justice, access to the family court, and efficiency in court operations.-

Family Law Rules Task Force was established by Administrative Order No. 2016-131.  The Order directed the Task Force to review the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, to identify possible changes to conform to modern usage, and to clarify and simplify the language of these rules. The goal of the Task Force is to submit a rule petition with respect to any proposed rule changes by January

The Fentanyl and Toxic Evidence Task Force was created by Administrative Order No. 2022-62 to develop guidelines for handling these drugs when they are presented as evidence during judicial proceedings.

The Fiduciary Board: makes recommendations on issues pertaining to court appointed conservators, guardians, special administrators, and personal representatives. Membership includes public and private fiduciaries, judges, court administrators, attorneys and public members. The Board meets regularly to review applications for initial and renewal of certification, handle disciplinary matters, and review and address matters relevant to Fiduciaries.

Foster Care Review Board: (FCRB) advises and makes recommendations to the juvenile court on progress toward achieving a permanent home for a child or children involved in a dependency action and in an out-of-home placement. There are Boards in each county and five volunteer members on each Board.

Issuing Search Warrants Task Force (ISW): The Task Force on Issuing Search Warrants, established by A.O. 2021-34, will review the process for issuing no-knock and nighttime search warrants in Arizona.  It will make recommendations to ensure that there are adequate safeguards in the issuance of these warrants and that adequate training is available for judicial officers.  The Task Force will make its recommendations to the Arizona Judicial Council by October 21, 2021.

Judicial College of Arizona: (JCA) oversees education and training for all Arizona limited jurisdiction, general jurisdiction and appellate judges. Membership includes judges, law school professors, attorneys and public members.

Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee: (JEAC) issues advisory opinions interpreting the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Membership includes judges and public members.

Judicial Nominating Commission: (JNC) interviews candidates for judicial openings and submits a list of candidates to the Governor for selection under Arizona’s merit selection system. Membership includes the Chief Justice, attorneys and public members who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Arizona Senate.

Judicial Performance Review (JPR) Conference Teams: are involved in the self-evaluation component of the judges’ performance reviews. The Conference Teams meet with the judges during the review period to discuss survey results and assist in setting education and improvement goals. Membership on each team includes a public member, an attorney member and a judge member. Conference Teams are appointed each general election year.

Juvenile Rules Task Force: The Task Force on the Arizona Rules of Procedure for the Juvenile Court was established by Administrative Order No. 2019-74. This order directs the Task Force to review the current juvenile rules and identify possible changes that would conform these rules to modern usage, simplify the language, clarify and improve current procedures, reorganize the rules to enhance their usability, and account for recent state and federal legislation. The goal of the Task Force is to submit a rule petition with any proposed rule changes by January 2021.
 

Legal Services Task Force (LSTF): The Task Force on Delivery of Legal Services (LSTF) was established by Administrative Order 2018-111. This Order directs the Task Force to further the Judiciary’s Strategic Agenda goal of “Promoting Access to Justice” by reviewing the regulation of the delivery of legal services in Arizona. The Task Force will focus on how rules and codes governing the practice of law in Arizona can be revised to improve the delivery of legal services to consumers. 

Post Conviction Actions Task Force:  The Post Conviction Actions Tasks Force began as a subcommittee of the since expired Fair Justice for All Task Force.  Seeing the need to continue examining these issues, the Court established the Task Force by Administrative Order No. 2018-52.  This Order directs the Task Force to consider proposed amendments to statute and rule relating to the setting aside of criminal convictions, restoration of civil rights, and the setting aside and disposition of records of juvenile adjudications. 

Pretrial Risk Assessment and Form IV Task Force: For felony pretrial release determinations, Arizona courts have used the nationally-recognized Public Safety Assessment (PSA) instrument since 2015. The Pretrial Risk Assessment and Form IV Task Force was established by Administrative Order No. 2023-20 to evaluate the current use of the PSA and related processes and the statewide administration of the Supreme Court’s Form IV to determine if any improvements need to be made.

Probate Rules Task Force:  The Task Force on the Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure was established by Administrative Order No. 2017-133.  This Order directs the Task Force to review the Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure, to identify possible changes to conform to modern usage, and to clarify and simplify language.  The goal of the Task Force is to submit a rule petition with any proposed rule changes by January 2019.
 

Rule 32 Task Force: The Task Force on Rule 32 of the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure was established by Administrative Order No. 2018-07. This Order directs the Task Force to identify substantive changes that could improve upon the objectives of Rule 32 and the post-conviction relief process. The goal of the Task Force is to submit a rule petition with any proposed rule changes by January 2019.

Spousal Maintenance Guidelines Subcommittee: During the Fifty-fifth Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, the Legislature amended A.R.S. § 25-319(B). The amendment asks the Supreme Court to establish guidelines for determining and awarding spousal maintenance. Chief Justice Robert Brutinel established the Family Court Improvment Committee - Spousal Maintenance Guidelines Subcommittee (FCIC-SMGS) through Administrative Order 2022-83. FCIC-SMGS was tasked to study and make recommendations for the guidelines. Additionally, the FCIC was tasked with submitting a final report to the Arizona Judicial Council in June 2023 meeting.

Steering Committee on Data-Based Court Performance and Data Standards is charged with identifying court data that is needed to make data-based decisions related to case processing, court policy and management decisions, allocation of court resources, and data exchanges with other government entities.  The committee will make recommendations regarding what data elements need to be collected in each case type, data governance, and other steps needed to improve data quality.  Lastly, the committee will annually review Arizona case management data to assess conformance with the Supreme Court of Arizona’s time standards and, as desirable, recommend adjustments to existing time standards. 

Steering Committee on Arizona Case Processing Standards reviews the National Time Standards for processing all major case types in the limited and general jurisdiction courts, develops and recommends state case processing standards for Arizona and makes high level recommendations for implementation of the case processing standards.

The Task Force on Fair Justice for All was established by Chief Justice Scott Bales on March 3, 2016, by Administrative Order No. 2016-16 to promote "justice for all," meaning that people should not be disparately punished because they are poor. While everyone should face consequences for violating the law, criminal fines and civil penalties should not themselves promote a cycle of poverty by imposing excessive amounts or unduly restricting people’s ability to be gainfully employed. The goal of the Task Force is to file a report and make recommendations by October 31, 2016.

The Task Force on Jury Data Collection, Practices, and Procedures was established by Chief Justice Robert Brutinel on March 10, 2021, by Administrative Order No. 2021-35.  The judiciary recognizes the importance of jury service and that the juror summoning and selection processes and practices result in juries that are representative of the demographics of the community.  The Task Force will make recommendations for improvement to the Arizona Judicial Council by October 1, 2021.

The Task Force on Rule 11 of the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure and Related Matters was established by Administrative Order No. 2022-45 as part of the Arizona Supreme Court's strategic agenda. The Arizona Supreme Court's Committee on Mental Health and the Justice System brought together a broad array of justice and mental health stakeholders to identify best practices and cross-agency protocols for those justice-involved individuals who have behavioral health care needs.

The Task Force on Rules of Procedure for Special Actions (RPSA) was established by Administrative Order No. 2023-128 to restyle the current Rules of Procedure for Special Actions based on styling conventions employed in other recent rule restyling projects. The Order also directs the Task Force to integrate into these rules the principles of recent case law, if appropriate, and to propose substantive changes to these rules that would optimize the use of court resources for proceeding these actions. The Task Force will file a rule petition no later than June 30, 2024.

Click here for disbanded committees not listed above.

Persons interested in becoming a member should download and complete an application.

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Some court related committees and commissions have members who are appointed by the Arizona Governor or the State Bar of Arizona.