Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Katherine M. Cooper retention
Maricopa County, Arizona
My vote power
Retention race
Election date
November 3, 2026 · General election
About this office
- 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, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights,
Katherine M. Cooper
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared · Official site
Katherine M. Cooper is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge serving since 2011.
Where Katherine M. Cooper stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record)
Opposes
Housing Affordability (1 record)
Mixed record
Civil Rights (3 support · 4 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Adjudicated an infant dependent after unexplained fractures; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
July 31, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 oppose
Granted a developer summary judgment against a homeowners association's construction-defect claims; the Arizona Supreme Court reversed and remanded.
July 29, 2026Opposes Housing Affordability
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 3 support · 4 oppose
Adjudicated an infant dependent after unexplained fractures; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
July 31, 2026Opposes Civil Rights
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Granted post-conviction relief on ineffective-assistance claims while rejecting an innocence claim; appellate courts vacated in part and remanded.
September 23, 2025Supports Civil Rights
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Summarily dismissed an ineffective-assistance claim concerning restitution; the Court of Appeals granted review and relief.
August 8, 2024Opposes Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Granted summary judgment to Arizona healthcare administrators in a public-records case; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
April 9, 2024Opposes Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Dismissed a challenge to approved dual-language education programs for lack of authority, standing and viable claims.
March 5, 2024Supports Civil Rights
Source: apnews.com · researched September 13, 2026
Granted a juvenile offender an evidentiary hearing on a life sentence; the Arizona Supreme Court reversed.
September 18, 2023Supports Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Dismissed a petition to modify legal decision-making, parenting time and child support; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
July 25, 2017Opposes Civil Rights
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Began serving in the Superior Court's juvenile department.
June 1, 2024
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Returned to the Superior Court's civil department.
June 1, 2021
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.
June 1, 2019
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.
June 1, 2015
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court.
October 1, 2011
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 16 favorable
Granted a developer summary judgment against a homeowners association's construction-defect claims; the Arizona Supreme Court reversed and remanded.
July 29, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Granted post-conviction relief on ineffective-assistance claims while rejecting an innocence claim; appellate courts vacated in part and remanded.
September 23, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Summarily dismissed an ineffective-assistance claim concerning restitution; the Court of Appeals granted review and relief.
August 8, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Granted summary judgment to Arizona healthcare administrators in a public-records case; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
April 9, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Dismissed a challenge to approved dual-language education programs for lack of authority, standing and viable claims.
March 5, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: apnews.com · researched September 13, 2026
Granted a juvenile offender an evidentiary hearing on a life sentence; the Arizona Supreme Court reversed.
September 18, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Entered judgment as a matter of law for an insurer in a property-coverage dispute; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
June 1, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet 2018 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 23-0 commission vote.
November 6, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: azmemory.azlibrary.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Dismissed a petition to modify legal decision-making, parenting time and child support; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
July 25, 2017Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Dismissed legislators' challenge to Arizona's healthcare expansion for lack of standing; the Arizona Supreme Court reversed in part.
December 31, 2014Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched September 13, 2026
Began serving as an assistant Scottsdale city attorney.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Became a partner at Schneider & Onofry.
January 1, 2001Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Became a partner at Jennings, Strouss & Salmon.
January 1, 1994Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Began practicing as an associate at Jennings, Strouss & Salmon.
January 1, 1987Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov · researched September 13, 2026
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 · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 28-0 commission vote.
November 8, 2022
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Was found to meet 2018 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 23-0 commission vote.
November 6, 2018
Source: azmemory.azlibrary.gov · researched September 13, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov