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Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two Judge — Hon. Sean Brearcliffe retention

Pima 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,

Sean Brearcliffe

Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site

Sean Brearcliffe has been a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two, since 2017. Before that, Brearcliffe was a Pima County Superior Court judge from 2013 to 2017 and a senior litigation partner at a Tucson law firm.

Track record

Track record — General

General · 6 records

  • Freedom Club PAC endorsed retaining him in the 2026 Court of Appeals election.

    September 27, 2026

    Source: azballot.org

  • Wrote the decision rejecting Kari Lake's renewed challenge to Arizona's 2022 governor election result.

    June 11, 2024

    Source: appeals2.az.gov

  • Denied a motion to exclude internet subscriber evidence in the Mixton case. Arizona's Supreme Court later upheld that ruling.

    January 11, 2021

    Source: azcourts.gov

  • Wrote an opinion upholding an assault conviction after finding a dog could count as a dangerous instrument.

    March 20, 2020

    Source: appeals2.az.gov

  • Wrote a ruling allowing DUI breath-test evidence after a lawful arrest, despite an improper consent warning.

    October 2, 2018

    Source: appeals2.az.gov

  • Represented gun show operators challenging Tucson's background-check rule. The appeals court rejected their challenge.

    May 30, 2002

    Source: caselaw.findlaw.com

Track record — Impartiality

Impartiality · 1 favorable

  • Arizona's judicial review commission found he met performance standards. Recent surveys rated legal ability 88% and impartiality 93% acceptable or above.

    September 27, 2026Favorable on Impartiality

    Source: jpr.azcourts.gov

Track record — Legal Competence

Legal Competence · 1 favorable

  • Arizona's judicial review commission found he met performance standards. Recent surveys rated legal ability 88% and impartiality 93% acceptable or above.

    September 27, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: jpr.azcourts.gov

Sources: apps.azsos.gov · jpr.azcourts.gov