Administrative Order No. 2011-43Supreme Court of Arizona.
May 2, 2011.
REBECCA WHITE BERCH, Chief Justice.
The AOC conducted a review of court operations of the Ajo Justice Court. This review found significant record keeping and case processing deficiencies. The presiding superior court judge assigned staff from the Pima Consolidated Justice Court to provide assistance to the court in an effort to address the deficiencies; however, an additional step is required to ensure the timely and efficient progress of the court in making the necessary changes. Therefore, pursuant to Article VI, section 3, of the Arizona Constitution,
IT IS ORDERED that administrative control and oversight of day-to-day operations of the Ajo Justice Court shall be assumed by the presiding judge of the Superior Court in Pima County. In addition to day-to-day operations, administrative control shall also include control of all court records, which shall be maintained on the premises of the court.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all books and records of the Ajo Justice Court, wherever located, are placed in the constructive possession of the presiding judge of the Superior Court in Pima County or her designee. The records shall remain on the premises of the Ajo Justice Court unless the business needs of the court require them to be located elsewhere, and the presiding judge of the Superior Court authorizes their removal to another location.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that no paper or record of the Ajo Justice Court shall be altered or destroyed without authorization of the Presiding Judge or her designee, consistent with the document retention policies of the Arizona Supreme Court.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Administrative Officer of the Ajo Justice Court shall report to the Presiding Judge.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the judge of the Ajo Justice Court shall continue to adjudicate cases. The presiding superior court judge may issue such orders as may be required to ensure the proper and independent operations of the Ajo Justice Court and to see to it that deficiencies are corrected.
Dated this 2nd day of May, 2011.
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