Pima County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Catherine M. Woods retention
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,
Catherine M. Woods
Nonpartisan · Incumbent
Catherine M. Woods is a judge of the Arizona Superior Court in Pima County and is assigned to Criminal Division 17. The court's current assignment page lists her as Catherine Woods.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Ruled for Pima County in August 2018 on the rest of the Goldwater Institute's World View lawsuit. She found the county lawfully hired builders without competitive bids.
August 22, 2018
Source: tucsonlocalmedia.com
Struck down Pima County's $15 million building lease with balloon company World View in February 2017. She found the county skipped the required appraisal and public auction.
February 3, 2017
Source: goldwaterinstitute.org
Was kept on the bench by Pima County voters on November 4, 2014, despite the negative review. The official count was 117,772 yes (59.19%) to 81,204 no.
November 4, 2014
Source: oldcms.pima.gov
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 2 favorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2026. In surveys, 82% rated her legal ability and 83% rated her impartiality as acceptable or better.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2022. All 28 voting commissioners agreed, and 98% of surveyed lawyers rated her integrity acceptable or better.
September 23, 2022Favorable on Impartiality
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable · 2 unfavorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2026. In surveys, 82% rated her legal ability and 83% rated her impartiality as acceptable or better.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2022. All 28 voting commissioners agreed, and 98% of surveyed lawyers rated her integrity acceptable or better.
September 23, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Had her World View lease ruling overturned by the Arizona Court of Appeals on December 14, 2017. The appeals judges ruled unanimously that the county did not need competitive bidding for the lease.
December 14, 2017Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: tucson.com
Was found not to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in August 2014. The commission voted 22 to 7 against her, a rare result.
August 13, 2014Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: tucson.com
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov