Maricopa County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Katherine M. Cooper 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,
Katherine M. Cooper
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Katherine M. Cooper is a Maricopa County Superior Court judge serving since 2011.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 6 records
Adjudicated an infant dependent after unexplained fractures; the Court of Appeals affirmed.
July 31, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's juvenile department.
June 1, 2024
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Returned to the Superior Court's civil department.
June 1, 2021
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's criminal department.
June 1, 2019
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began serving in the Superior Court's family department.
June 1, 2015
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court.
October 1, 2011
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 15 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
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
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
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
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
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
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
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
Was found to meet 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 28-0 commission vote. Also did the same on November 6, 2018.
November 8, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
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
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
Began serving as an assistant Scottsdale city attorney.
January 1, 2007Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Became a partner at Schneider & Onofry.
January 1, 2001Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Became a partner at Jennings, Strouss & Salmon.
January 1, 1994Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Began practicing as an associate at Jennings, Strouss & Salmon.
January 1, 1987Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Track record — Candidate Ethics
Candidate Ethics · 2 records
Was found to meet Arizona judicial performance standards for the 2026 retention cycle.
April 24, 2026
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Was found to meet 2022 Arizona judicial performance standards by a 28-0 commission vote. Also did the same on November 6, 2018.
November 8, 2022
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov