Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Kristin Culbertson 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,
Kristin Culbertson
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Kristin Culbertson is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge serving since 2016.
Track record
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 3 favorable · 1 unfavorable
Had her evidence ruling upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court on August 12, 2026. The court agreed with Judge Culbertson that a pastor's recorded admission of child sex abuse was not a protected confession. It vacated the appeals court opinion that had overturned her.
August 12, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: azcourts.gov
Received a 'Meets Judicial Performance Standards' rating from the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review on April 24, 2026. The review used surveys of lawyers, jurors, and litigants before her 2026 retention vote.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Had a criminal evidence ruling vacated by the Arizona Court of Appeals on April 29, 2025. Judge Culbertson had let prosecutors use a secret recording of a pastor admitting child sex abuse. The appeals court said clergy privilege protected it.
April 29, 2025Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: azcourts.gov
Received a unanimous 'Meets Judicial Performance Standards' rating from the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review in 2022. All 22 voting commissioners said she meets the standards, based on surveys of lawyers, jurors, and litigants.
September 23, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov