Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Steven W. McCarthy 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,
Steven W. McCarthy
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Steven W. McCarthy is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge serving since 2023.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 1 record
Was appointed a Maricopa County Superior Court judge by Governor Katie Hobbs. He had served as a court commissioner since 2019 and as a public defender for over 10 years.
March 31, 2023
Source: azgovernor.gov
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 1 favorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review. Surveys rated him acceptable or better 96% on legal ability, 92% on integrity, and 94% on temperament.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review. Surveys rated him acceptable or better 96% on legal ability, 92% on integrity, and 94% on temperament.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Argued before the Arizona Supreme Court as a deputy public defender for a man facing the death penalty. The case set how courts check a defendant for intellectual disability before a capital trial (State v. Gates/Altamirano).
February 16, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: azcourts.gov
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov