Pima County Superior Court Judge — Hon. Cynthia Kuhn retention
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,
Cynthia Kuhn
Nonpartisan · Incumbent
Cynthia Kuhn is a judge of the Arizona Superior Court in Pima County and is assigned to Civil Division 21. The court's current assignment page lists her as Cynthia T. Kuhn.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Was kept on the bench by Pima County voters on November 8, 2022. The retention vote was 218,556 yes (72.7%) to 82,160 no.
November 8, 2022
Source: content.civicplus.com
Found a Tucson man in contempt on August 28, 2018 for giving legal help without a law license. She ordered 30 days in jail unless he stopped by October 5.
August 28, 2018
Source: tucson.com
Was appointed a Pima County Superior Court judge by Governor Doug Ducey on March 11, 2016. Before that she was a Tucson lawyer handling business, injury, probate, and environmental cases.
March 11, 2016
Source: tucson.com
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 2 favorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2026. In surveys, 96% rated her legal ability and 92% rated her impartiality as acceptable or better.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2022. The vote was 28 to 0, and 95% of lawyers rated her legal ability acceptable or better.
April 22, 2022Favorable on Impartiality
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable · 1 unfavorable
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2026. In surveys, 96% rated her legal ability and 92% rated her impartiality as acceptable or better.
April 24, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Had her refusal to end a defamation suit against the Arizona Daily Star reversed on May 25, 2023. The Court of Appeals told her to rule for the newspaper and its reporters.
May 25, 2023Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: appeals2.az.gov
Was found to meet judicial performance standards by Arizona's judicial review commission in 2022. The vote was 28 to 0, and 95% of lawyers rated her legal ability acceptable or better.
April 22, 2022Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov
Source: jpr.azcourts.gov