Pima Superior Court Invites Applicants for Judge Renee Bennett’s Replacement as She Leaves the Bench

Pima County Superior Court is currently accepting applications to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Renee Bennett, officials announced on Monday.

The court encompasses 53 judicial officers responsible for overseeing a wide array of cases, including criminal, civil, family law, juvenile, and probate matters.

The county’s Commission on Trial Court Appointments is tasked with reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and recommending a minimum of three nominees to Governor Katie Hobbs for the position.

To qualify, applicants must be at least 30 years old, possess good moral character, be admitted to practice law in Arizona, and have been residents of the state for five years. Additionally, candidates must reside in Pima County for the past year.

This process follows the earlier search for a successor to Judge Javier Chon-Lopez, who also retired. The commission submitted three nominations to Governor Hobbs last week.

Application forms can be accessed on the Judicial Department website or by contacting the Administrative Office of the Courts. The submission deadline is set for October 28, 2024, at 3 p.m. Notably, applicants who previously submitted applications for Pima County vacancies are not required to reapply.

The commission’s meetings, which are open to the public, will have their dates announced in due course. Currently, the annual salary for a Superior Court judge stands at $180,000, with an increase of $10,000 anticipated in the following year.