Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Danielle J. Viola 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,
Danielle J. Viola
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Danielle J. Viola is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge serving since 2011.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 10 records
Began serving as associate presiding judge while assigned to the juvenile department.
June 1, 2025
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as presiding judge of the Superior Court's civil department.
June 1, 2022
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as presiding Tax Court judge while assigned to the civil department.
February 1, 2020
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as associate presiding judge of the criminal department.
June 1, 2018
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.
June 1, 2014
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.
May 1, 2011
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.
January 1, 2011
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving on the Arizona Town Hall board.
January 1, 2010
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Served as president of the Phoenix Public Library Foundation.
January 1, 2009
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Joined the Phoenix Public Library Foundation board.
January 1, 2005
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 10 favorable
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Received the Phoenix chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates' 2025 Judge of the Year award for work supporting the jury system.
January 1, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Dismissed a wrongful-proceedings claim and denied leave to amend; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
September 10, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Summarily dismissed a successive post-conviction petition; the Court of Appeals denied relief.
January 11, 2024Favorable 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
Restricted a parent's sole legal decision-making authority and directed therapeutic treatment for a child; the Arizona Supreme Court vacated the restrictions in part.
April 26, 2019Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Denied post-conviction relief in a criminal case; the Court of Appeals found no abuse of discretion.
November 28, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com
Became a partner at Snell & Wilmer.
January 1, 2006Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving children in family cases as a guardian ad litem and best-interest attorney.
January 1, 2000Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began practicing as an associate at Snell & Wilmer.
January 1, 1999Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 3 records
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Received the Phoenix chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates' 2025 Judge of the Year award for work supporting the jury system.
January 1, 2025
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.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