Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Joseph C. Welty 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,
Joseph C. Welty
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared · 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
Public Safety and Crime Control (5 records)
Mixed record
Civil Rights (4 support · 2 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 5 support
Denied post-conviction relief in a criminal case; the Arizona Court of Appeals found no abuse of discretion.
January 13, 2022Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Entered a juvenile assault adjudication and disposition that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
August 16, 2018Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Dismissed a post-conviction petition in a child-sex-offense case; the Arizona Court of Appeals found no abuse of discretion.
August 17, 2016Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Entered a methamphetamine conviction and consecutive sentences that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
January 11, 2011Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office national security section in Phoenix.
January 1, 2006Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 4 support · 2 oppose
Supported amending the judicial-conduct rules to address judges' assistance to self-represented litigants.
December 14, 2023Supports Civil Rights
Source: azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Participated in dismissing a university confidentiality and negligence complaint; the Arizona Court of Appeals reversed.
January 23, 2020Opposes Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Entered a child-dependency order that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
May 10, 2018Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Revoked a permanent guardianship in a child-safety case; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
December 28, 2017Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Terminated parental rights in a child-neglect case; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
February 14, 2017Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Summarily denied a petition to restore firearm rights; the Arizona Court of Appeals vacated the order and remanded.
July 28, 2015Opposes Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — General
General · 8 records
Began serving as the Superior Court's criminal associate presiding judge.
June 1, 2026
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as presiding judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court.
August 1, 2019
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as the Superior Court's civil associate presiding judge.
June 1, 2018
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as the Superior Court's juvenile associate presiding judge.
June 1, 2015
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as the Superior Court's criminal presiding judge.
January 1, 2013
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.
October 1, 2008
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.
May 1, 2007
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.
January 1, 2007
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 18 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 · researched September 13, 2026
Dismissed a civil complaint against a judge; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
September 25, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards in the 2022 retention cycle.
November 8, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards in the 2018 retention cycle.
November 6, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: apps.azsos.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Entered a juvenile assault adjudication and disposition that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
August 16, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Entered a child-dependency order that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
May 10, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Terminated parental rights in a child-neglect case; the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
February 14, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Entered a methamphetamine conviction and consecutive sentences that the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed.
January 11, 2011Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in Phoenix.
January 1, 1991Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as an assistant Arizona attorney general.
January 1, 1988Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards in the 2022 retention cycle.
November 8, 2022
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards in the 2018 retention cycle.
November 6, 2018
Source: apps.azsos.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov