Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Jennifer Ryan-Touhill retention
Source: elections.maricopa.gov
What does this office do?
- 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, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Housing Affordability,
Jennifer Ryan-Touhill
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Jennifer Ryan-Touhill is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge appointed in 2015.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Returned to the Superior Court's family department.
June 1, 2026
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's civil department.
June 1, 2023
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.
June 1, 2019
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.
February 1, 2015
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.
January 1, 2015
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 2 unfavorable
Was publicly reprimanded for creating an appearance of bias by embracing a homicide victim's relative after testimony.
September 19, 2022Unfavorable on Impartiality
Source: azcjc.azcourts.gov
Declined a renewed request to change the judge in the same family case; the Court of Appeals granted relief.
June 20, 2019Unfavorable on Impartiality
Source: law.justia.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 12 favorable
Presided over murder and endangerment convictions and a natural-life sentence that the Court of Appeals affirmed.
July 23, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Denied post-conviction relief to a man serving a life sentence for murder; the Court of Appeals denied relief.
February 27, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Was found to meet 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 22-0 commission vote. Also did the same on November 6, 2018.
November 8, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Presided over drug-transportation convictions that the Court of Appeals affirmed despite an incomplete jury instruction.
July 13, 2021Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Declared a murder-case mistrial over the defendant's objection and denied dismissal; the Court of Appeals held that double jeopardy barred retrial.
July 1, 2021Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Dismissed charges in Phoenix protest cases after finding that the grand-jury presentation denied defendants due process.
June 3, 2021Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: media.kjzz.org
Declined a renewed request to change the judge in the same family case; the Court of Appeals granted relief.
June 20, 2019Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Ordered a child to move from Arizona to Kansas without an evidentiary hearing; the Court of Appeals found a due-process violation and remanded.
October 18, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Began serving as a judge pro tempore.
January 1, 2009Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Opened Touhill Law Offices after leaving the Attorney General's Office.
January 1, 2002Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as an assistant Arizona attorney general.
January 1, 1998Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 3 records
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Was found to meet 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 22-0 commission vote. Also did the same on November 6, 2018.
November 8, 2022
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Was publicly reprimanded for creating an appearance of bias by embracing a homicide victim's relative after testimony.
September 19, 2022
Source: azcjc.azcourts.gov
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov