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Elections Simplified

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Suzanne M. Nicholls retention

Unofficial result: Won — Suzanne M. Nicholls (Nonpartisan)

Source: elections.maricopa.gov

Maricopa County, Arizona
Retention race

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,

Suzanne M. Nicholls

Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site

Suzanne M. Nicholls is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge appointed in 2020.

Track record

Track record — General

General · 5 records

  • Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.

    July 1, 2023

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.

    May 1, 2020

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began serving as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.

    January 1, 2020

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began serving on the attorney panel for the Helping Other Parents Engage class.

    January 1, 2018

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began serving on the attorney panel for Maricopa County CASA's Court Ordered Dependent Youth program.

    January 1, 2017

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

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

  • Presided over two domestic-violence assault convictions that the Court of Appeals affirmed.

    February 13, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: law.justia.com

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Was appointed co-chair of Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Education Day.

    March 30, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Received the Arizona Public Defender Association's Outstanding Performance Award.

    January 1, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began serving as a Maricopa County deputy public advocate.

    January 1, 2015Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began serving in the Arizona Attorney General's Child and Family Protection Division.

    January 1, 2014Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Returned to private practice as an associate at Byrne & Benesch.

    January 1, 2012Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began serving as an assistant Arizona attorney general in the criminal appeals division.

    January 1, 2009Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began private practice as an associate at Kunz, Plitt, Demlong & Kleifield.

    January 1, 2008Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Clerked in the U.S. Attorney's Office civil division.

    January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Served as an extern to Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Donn Kessler.

    January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Clerked in the California Attorney General's criminal appeals, writs and trials section.

    January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Clerked for Yuma County Superior Court's presiding judge.

    January 1, 2006Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

  • Began leading a bodily-injury claims team at Progressive Insurance.

    January 1, 1998Favorable 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 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 28-0 commission vote.

    November 8, 2022

    Source: jpr.azcourts.gov

Source: jpr.azcourts.gov