Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Michelle Carson retention
Maricopa County, Arizona
My vote power
Retention race
Election date
November 3, 2026 · General election
About this office
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights,
Michelle Carson
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Michelle Carson is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge and former court commissioner.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 1 record
Was appointed a Maricopa County Superior Court judge by Governor Katie Hobbs. She had been a court commissioner since 2018 and earlier a public defender and criminal defense lawyer.
March 31, 2023
Source: azgovernor.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 1 favorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review. Surveys rated her acceptable or better 94% on legal ability, 88% on integrity, and 90% on temperament.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 1 favorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review. Surveys rated her acceptable or better 94% on legal ability, 88% on integrity, and 90% on temperament.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov