Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Joseph C. Welty 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,
Joseph C. Welty
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Joseph C. Welty is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge appointed in 2007.
Where Joseph C. Welty stands, based on their records
Supports
Civil Rights (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 support
Supported amending the judicial-conduct rules to address judges' assistance to self-represented litigants.
December 14, 2023Supports Civil Rights
Source: azcourts.gov
Track record — General
General · 8 records
Began serving as the Superior Court's criminal associate presiding judge.
June 1, 2026
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as presiding judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court.
August 1, 2019
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as the Superior Court's civil associate presiding judge.
June 1, 2018
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as the Superior Court's juvenile associate presiding judge.
June 1, 2015
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as the Superior Court's criminal presiding judge.
January 1, 2013
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.
October 1, 2008
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.
May 1, 2007
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.
January 1, 2007
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 1 favorable
Supported amending the judicial-conduct rules to address judges' assistance to self-represented litigants.
December 14, 2023Favorable on Impartiality
Source: azcourts.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 17 favorable · 3 unfavorable
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Dismissed a civil complaint against a judge; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
September 25, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards in the 2022 retention cycle. Also did the same on November 6, 2018.
November 8, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Denied post-conviction relief in a criminal case; the Arizona Court of Appeals found no abuse of discretion.
January 13, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Denied a motion concerning an accepted offer of judgment; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
October 15, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Dismissed a dental-services complaint after an untimely response; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
September 1, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Participated in dismissing a university confidentiality and negligence complaint; the Arizona Court of Appeals reversed.
January 23, 2020Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Petitioned the Arizona Supreme Court to correct a cross-reference and omission in the criminal-procedure rules.
January 1, 2019Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: rulesforum.azcourts.gov
Entered a juvenile assault adjudication and disposition that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
August 16, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Entered a child-dependency order that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
May 10, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Revoked a permanent guardianship in a child-safety case; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
December 28, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Terminated parental rights in a child-neglect case; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
February 14, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Dismissed a post-conviction petition in a child-sex-offense case; the Arizona Court of Appeals found no abuse of discretion.
August 17, 2016Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Summarily denied a petition to restore firearm rights; the Arizona Court of Appeals vacated the order and remanded.
July 28, 2015Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Denied relief concerning a capital-case plea process; the Arizona Court of Appeals granted the defendant partial relief.
March 19, 2015Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Entered a methamphetamine conviction and consecutive sentences that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
January 11, 2011Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Began serving as chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office national security section in Phoenix.
January 1, 2006Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as deputy chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office criminal section in Phoenix.
January 1, 2001Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in Phoenix.
January 1, 1991Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as an assistant Arizona attorney general.
January 1, 1988Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 2 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 Arizona judicial performance standards in the 2022 retention cycle. Also did the same on November 6, 2018.
November 8, 2022
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov