The JPR Commission is responsible for developing performance standards and thresholds, and conducting performance reviews of justices and judges who are merit selected and subject to retention elections. Currently this includes judges and justices serving on the Arizona Supreme Court, Court of Appeals Division I, Court of Appeals Division II, Maricopa County Superior Court and Pima County Superior Court.

The JPR Commission surveys the opinions of persons who have knowledge of a judge's or justice's performance (jurors, attorneys, litigants, witnesses, court staff, and persons representing themselves) and provides additional opportunities for the public to participate in the evaluation process through public input and written comments. Evaluation results are widely distributed throughout the state via media reports and the Secretary of State voter information pamphlet mailed to households prior to general elections.

As a part of its program, the JPR Commission also conducts an ongoing self improvement program for judges and justices which includes the collection of additional information from the judges themselves and from persons having knowledge of the judge's or justice's performance. This information is reviewed with the individual judges or justices by Conference Teams composed of a volunteer public member, attorney member, and judge to identify areas where the judges or justices could improve their performance or, by virtue of their performance and experience, assist other judges or justices.

Judges Not Subject to Evaluation by the JPR Commission: Judges pro tem and commissioners of the Superior Court, Superior Court judges in counties other than Maricopa and Pima, justices of the peace, justice court pro tems, and municipal court judges and pro tems are not subject to evaluation by the JPR Commission.

Many of these judicial officers who are not covered by JPR are subject to evaluation programs that have been established within their respective court systems. If you have any questions regarding the performance of these officers, they should be directed to the local court systems that employ the officers.

Formal Complaints Against Judges and Justices: A formal complaint against any judge or justice also may be directed to the Commission on Judicial Conduct at http://www.supreme.state.az.us/ethics/ or by telephone at (602) 452-3200.