7/28/2009 8:31:00 PM
Arthur Markham is county's new presiding justice of peace
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PRESCOTT - Yavapai County's Justices of the Peace unanimously elected Arthur Markham as Presiding Justice of the Peace.
Markham said he is "proud of being selected to fulfill" the duties of presiding justice. Former Presiding Justice Judge John Kennedy of Mayer recently resigned.
"We do not have a set term, but traditionally we serve four years," Markham said.
Presiding justices take on other administrative duties in addition to their caseloads, he added.
Markham presides over meetings between JPs and city magistrates, could serve on statewide committees, and assigns other justices to hear cases when a defendant asks for a different judge.
Justices of Peace and city magistrates preside over similar court cases such as misdemeanor criminal cases, drunk driving charges, signing search warrants and orders of protection. But there is a difference between the two jobs
"The main difference between JPs and magistrates is that JPs handle civil lawsuits up to $10,000 and small claims actions up to $2,500," Markham said. "Magistrates do not handle the civil suits."
Yavapai County has five justice court precincts: Mayer; Prescott; Seligman; Verde Valley and Bagdad-Yarnell. Every four years voters elect JPs and magistrates. They have concurrent jurisdictions, Markham said.
"For example, if a DPS (Department of Public Safety) officer writes a ticket for someone within Chino Valley town limits, the officer could file it with Chino Valley or the justice court," he explained. "DPS officers prefer to file everything in justice court."
Every few months, Markham chairs a meeting between the JPs, city magistrates and Yavapai County Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert Brutinel.
"We talk about current issues, new developments in the law and see what we can improve on or a better way of doing things," Markham said.
Markham is similar to Brutinel in that he is the presiding authority over the justices, whereas Brutinel is the presiding authority over judges. However, JPs and city magistrates sometimes are referred to as judges.
To learn more about Yavapai County Justice Courts, visit www.co.yavapai.az.us and click on Justice Courts.
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Posted: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Gino
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Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Arthur Markham is a class act, very fair and a great choice!
Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009
Article comment by:
tara
Is their really justice in the system or is it "just us" in the system...
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Could be the Lone Ranger
Personally, I saw Kennedy as a fair Judge.
I guess everyone has their own views of justice and their own view of the public officials who have the overwhelming and sometimes heartbreaking job of handing down the sentences to those of us who "break the law".
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2009
Article comment by:
AC
YIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE Kennedy is finally gone! Maybe we will see real justice for Mayer residents! I know I will get some heat for saying it but after being a victim and Kennedy just blowing it off I personally am thrilled that this fiddle playing "good ole boy" is gone!
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Speedy Gonzales
Hail King Arthur!!!
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