Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Suzanne M. Nicholls 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,
Suzanne M. Nicholls
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared · Official site
Suzanne M. Nicholls is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge appointed in 2020.
Where Suzanne M. Nicholls stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (2 records)
Mixed record
Civil Rights (5 support · 1 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 2 support
Presided over two domestic-violence assault convictions that the Court of Appeals affirmed.
February 13, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Awarded a mother sole legal decision-making authority and limited the father to supervised parenting time after finding significant domestic violence; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
May 5, 2022Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 5 support · 1 oppose
Allowed prosecutors to impeach a robbery defendant with prior misdemeanor shoplifting convictions and declined a lesser-offense instruction; the Court of Appeals vacated and remanded.
January 13, 2026Opposes Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Awarded a mother sole legal decision-making authority and limited the father to supervised parenting time after finding significant domestic violence; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
May 5, 2022Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving on the attorney panel for the Helping Other Parents Engage class.
January 1, 2018Supports Civil Rights
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving on the attorney panel for Maricopa County CASA's Court Ordered Dependent Youth program.
January 1, 2017Supports Civil Rights
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as a Maricopa County deputy public advocate.
January 1, 2015Supports Civil Rights
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving in the Arizona Attorney General's Child and Family Protection Division.
January 1, 2014Supports Civil Rights
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.
July 1, 2023
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.
May 1, 2020
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.
January 1, 2020
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 18 favorable
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
Presided over two domestic-violence assault convictions that the Court of Appeals affirmed.
February 13, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Allowed prosecutors to impeach a robbery defendant with prior misdemeanor shoplifting convictions and declined a lesser-offense instruction; the Court of Appeals vacated and remanded.
January 13, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Approved a marital separation agreement over a later unfairness challenge; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
November 14, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 28-0 commission vote.
November 8, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Awarded a mother sole legal decision-making authority and limited the father to supervised parenting time after finding significant domestic violence; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
May 5, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Was appointed co-chair of Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Education Day.
March 30, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Received the Arizona Public Defender Association's Outstanding Performance Award.
January 1, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as a Maricopa County deputy public advocate.
January 1, 2015Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving in the Arizona Attorney General's Child and Family Protection Division.
January 1, 2014Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Returned to private practice as an associate at Byrne & Benesch.
January 1, 2012Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as an assistant Arizona attorney general in the criminal appeals division.
January 1, 2009Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began private practice as an associate at Kunz, Plitt, Demlong & Kleifield.
January 1, 2008Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Clerked in the U.S. Attorney's Office civil division.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Served as an extern to Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Donn Kessler.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Clerked in the California Attorney General's criminal appeals, writs and trials section.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Clerked for Yuma County Superior Court's presiding judge.
January 1, 2006Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began leading a bodily-injury claims team at Progressive Insurance.
January 1, 1998Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 28-0 commission vote.
November 8, 2022
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov