Justice for a Better Arizona Awards

Protecting Children, Families and Communities

Winners have demonstrated substantial or creative contributions in helping courts protect Arizona's children, families and communities by providing them with an independent, neutral forum for resolving disputes; dispensing justice in a fair and equitable manner; improving how children and families are served in issues of family law; ensuring that juvenile detention facilities are available, safe and secure; or by delivering probation services providing public protection and offender accountability.

Glynn O. Thomas, probation officer, Adult Probation, Superior Court in Maricopa County

Typically the court does not allow adult probationers to serve as informants in police investigations; however, when a probationer who was positioned to provide information leading to multiple arrests impacting organized crime wanted to assist the FBI, the court granted permission as long as the probationer would continue to be under probation supervision during the investigation. The FBI agreed and requested the assignment of a supervising probation officer with a particular background and characteristics, and Glynn Thomas was selected based on this profile. Thomas took on this risky assignment knowing that he needed to preserve the security of the investigation in order to protect the people involved. The timing and location of his contact with the probationer were consistently coordinated with the FBI agents so as not to interfere with their activities in the investigation. 

Throughout his six-month involvement in this operation Thomas was conscientious and cooperative with the court and other agencies, performing his job admirably and courageously. The FBI agents involved sent a letter to the chief probation officer to express their appreciation for Thomas' contributions to the success of the operation, which resulted in significant arrests within the criminal enterprise. Thomas deserves recognition for his substantial contribution toward the Court's goal of protecting the community.

Superior Court in Maricopa County's Juvenile Probation Department Program, "Fight Back With Love: Every Adult Has a Responsibility to Prevent Bullying"

When the Juvenile Probation Department introduced a video for use in schools that discusses the problem of bullying, schools across Maricopa County responded to the Department's needs assessment with an overwhelming request for assistance in adult understanding of bullying and why it is a seed behavior for aggression and violence against others and self. 

With monies from a discretionary Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) grant, the Department created "Fight Back With Love: Every Adult Has a Responsibility to Prevent Bullying." This is a research based tool in content and methodology, available in English and Spanish. It includes: 

• Two age-specific videos designed to illuminate concepts and provoke an emotional response in the viewers;

• a video viewing guide duplication master containing all of the script content is available for future reference; 

• curriculum materials to guide a facilitator in managing a small group discussion following the videotape and for finding additional resources for handouts and research; and, 

• web support is available through a link on the agency's web page, which is updated with new research and documents translated into Spanish. 

Each video includes footage of 102 students from 42 different schools in Maricopa County interacting in ways that illuminate how bullying destroys confidence and builds anger. In each language there is a video that covers the typical bullying behaviors of students in grades K-6 and another one that covers the typical behaviors of students in grades 6-12.

These sets have been given to every school and every school district in Maricopa County including public, charter, and private schools -- from preschool to twelfth grade. They have been featured at several professional discipline conferences for prevention specialists, social workers, mental health professionals and every discipline focusing on children.

Response has been strong. As a result of coverage on Channel 12's midday show and in the Arizona Republic, requests have been filled for every school in Cochise County 12 states across the country and Mexico. This resource was even accepted as a listed feature on the National Bullying Prevention Campaign's database of recommended resources through HRSA.

You may review the Study Guide and other related materials at http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/juvenileProb/bullying/index.asp. (The sets are free to anyone who requests them.)

SMI Unit, Adult Probation Department, Superior Court in Maricopa County

The Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) Unit provides exceptional, specialized probation supervision of 500 SMI offenders and has developed exciting new services to better manage this population. Probation officers closely monitor and manage reduced caseloads of 40 probationers. Unit members possess a strong working knowledge of psychiatric disorders and the mental health system. Dedicated advocacy is their norm; they help probationers access mental health services that they may never receive otherwise. The officers work closely with case managers, doctors and service providers to actively monitor probationers' treatment, compliance, and behavior. SMI Unit officers have continuously improved service by identifying gaps and developing important resources. Through a collaborative effort, they have assisted in developing and operating emergency housing (eight plus beds), transitional housing (six, two-bedroom units), a conditional jail release program (average daily population of 34) and the Mental Health Court.

SMI probationers receive tremendous assistance to improve their lives and complete probation successfully. All of the programming developed, coupled with active case management, enables SMI probationers to function in the community and participate in community-based treatment and reduces the use of incarceration to manage the mentally ill. More than 1,800 jail days were saved in fiscal year 2003. The Mental Health Court assures regular collaboration to address problems that challenge SMI probationers' progress on probation. Unique and timely solutions are found while probationers are held accountable for participation in treatment and other court requirements. 

The SMI Unit consistently provides an effective, ethical and balanced approach that holds offenders accountable, keeps communities safe, and provides treatment and services to a challenging, high-need offender group.

Providing Access to Swift, Fair Justice

Winners have demonstrated substantial or creative contributions in helping citizens, victims, litigants and defendants obtain access to a fair and swift process for resolving civil or criminal disputes; ensuring that resources are adequate; and, ensuring court procedures, policies and practices are consistent with providing access to swift, fair justice.

"One-Stop" Service Environment, City of Phoenix Municipal Court

The City of Phoenix Municipal Court, with its state-of-the-art facility in the downtown campus, has developed creative solutions in a variety of areas to ensure access to swift, fair justice. The court's "One-Stop" Service Environment for citizens, victims, litigants, and defendants exemplifies this effort. While at the court, individuals have access to the following services in one convenient location:

• Onsite office of the Motor Vehicle Division of ADOT, which allows defendants to change or correct their driver's license information as ordered by the court without leaving the building; 

• "walk-in" service for individuals requesting to see a judge (no appointment necessary); 

• videophone links with the city's Family Advocacy Center and the DeColores family shelter that allows domestic violence victims to request orders of protection without leaving their protective environment;

• bilingual victim advocate from the Sojourner Center available in the Orders of Protection office;

• interpretation services for more than 50 different languages, including American Sign Language;

• financial enforcement officers to assist with payment plans; 

• payment conveniences including an ATM and point-of-sale machines for processing credit card payments;

• work alternative program scheduling;

• access to screeners for referral to substance abuse or domestic violence education and/or treatment programs; and, 

• Maricopa County adult probation officers who monitor domestic violence offenders are onsite, which provides easy access to court services. 

This "One-Stop" service concept provides dual benefits. Defendants and victims receive the benefit of convenient access to a variety of court-related services, payment options, and other conveniences while the court receives the benefit of enhanced case processing and improved customer service. 

Taken in combination, these creative innovations in customer service, payment processing, and case processing support the court's mission of "Justice through Excellence" by providing adequate resources and by ensuring access to a swift and fair judicial process. 

Swift, Fair Justice at the State's Highest Court, Supreme Court Staff Attorneys

During the past year, the Staff Attorneys' Office at the Arizona Supreme Court has made a commitment to completing every Petition for Review or Special Action within 90 days of the filing of the action. 

The ultimate goal, which has been achieved, is to enable the Justices to issue their decision to accept or deny review in all cases within four months after the filing of the action. This result has been achieved through teamwork and creative use of technology without diminishing the individualized attention that is at all times given to each litigant's case. 

This achievement by the 10 attorneys, three legal assistants and law student externs of the Staff Attorneys' Office represents a standard of swift, fair justice that is exemplary among the appellate courts of the nation. The benefit to the litigants and public is in reducing the uncertainty, inconvenience, expense and other dislocations incurred while awaiting the ultimate resolution of cases on appeal.

Connecting with the Community

Winners have demonstrated substantial or creative contributions to implementing programs that improve how the Arizona Judicial Branch listens to communities; establishing effective methods of communication between citizens and courts; or by providing education or learning opportunities that increase public awareness about the court system.

Cochise County Juvenile Detention Education, Superior Court in Cochise County

The Supreme Court's third agenda, "Connecting With The Community," promotes communication with the public and other branches of government. In collaboration with the superintendent of county schools, Cochise County Juvenile Detention Education accomplishes this agenda through grant funded and grassroots programs, allowing community members and local agencies to participate in the education and rehabilitation of Cochise County's most at-risk youth. 

The Supreme Court encourages courts to, "Effectively communicate with the communities we serve to ensure continuous improvement of the court in its service." In partnership wit the county superintendent of schools, Detention Education was awarded the Transition Outcomes Project (TOP) grant in 2002, making it one of the first detention education programs in the country to participate in this nationally known project. As a result of its participation in TOP, Detention Education has increased parent involvement in IEP meetings of detained youth by 50 percent. Participation from other local community agencies in transition planning of youth with disabilities increased from zero percent to 100 percent. The detention education team also conducts weekly "guest speaker" days, allowing community members and agency representatives to provide guidance and information on local resources for detained youth. Detention Education welcomes community volunteers in the classroom. Five community members volunteer in the education program, helping students and learning how the court educates detained youth. 

In an effort to inform the public about its program, the education team conducts presentations at local conferences and organizations. To date, the team has presented the program to Special Education Administrators of Southeastern Arizona, the SMILE conference, the Sierra Vista Rotary Club, and the Cochise County Monthly Networking Breakfast. Upcoming presentations include the national EDJJ (Education and Disability in Juvenile Justice) conference in Denver, and the Arizona Department of Education Transition conference in Phoenix. A highlight of 2004 was a visit from acclaimed poet Jimmy Santiago Baca. The Detention Education team coordinated the collaboration with Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services and Cochise College to bring Dr. Baca from New Mexico for two lectures, one in detention and one at Chochise College; both were open to the public.

Community Rehabilitation Housing Program, Adult Probation Department, Superior Court in Maricopa County

The goals of the Community Rehabilitation Housing Program (CRHP) are to teach adult probationers skills in the residential construction field that can lead to employment and provide a means for rehabilitating and expanding buildings of community-based service providers in low-income and distressed neighborhoods. The CRHP has a full-time licensed contractor who supervises and teaches the construction trade to probationers who are ordered by the court to complete community service as a condition of probation. Since 2000, the program has completed more than 20 projects that have saved taxpayers and community service agencies more than $2 million in construction costs. Additionally, more than 30 probationers have obtained full-time construction employment.

The program is based on restorative justice principles whereby offenders attempt to repair the harm caused to the community as a result of their crimes. Many of the probationers in the program are assigned by Drug Court. The Restorative Justice Resource Coalition (RJRC) often selects projects and supplies materials and equipment for the program. This 501(c)(3) corporation is comprised of private citizens who work closely with probation, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and city, county and federal governments to support programs such as CRHP.

CRHP projects have included:

• CASS Homeless Shelter, Sunnyslope

• Sunnyslope Historical Society

• Roeser House Teen Outreach, Phoenix (converted a two bedroom "crack house" into a six bedroom residential/education center)

• Booker T. Washington Headstart, Phoenix

• Alhambra Headstart, Phoenix

• Guadalupe Headstart

The CRHP demonstrates to the public a unique court program that blends consequence and opportunity for the offender with restoration for the community. This program is easily duplicated in other jurisdictions that have dedicated citizens, such as those of the RJRC, and a commitment by the court and probation department.

Juvenile Court Volunteer Program, Superior Court in Pinal County

Volunteering is one of the most popular activities in our society. Americans regularly become involved in some type of volunteer activity that provides more than 19 billion hours worth of donated time a year valued at more than $150 billion per year. While most volunteers give their time to nonprofit agencies, nearly 18 percent are connected to some form of government. Over the past decade alone, volunteering for government has been one of the fastest growing areas of volunteer involvement. 

With that in mind, Juvenile Court Director, Diane McGinnis, created several positions to help utilize the expertise of volunteers in Pinal County. A volunteer coordinator and a community liaison officer were hired to help develop an agency-wide program and provide opportunities for volunteers to contribute to the work of Juvenile Justice in all 15 Pinal communities and all three Juvenile Court offices (Apache Junction, Casa Grande, and Florence). 

Pinal County Juvenile Court Services now has 44 volunteers in addition to 24 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and 59 Community Work Service sites. Volunteers are represented on the Community Advisory Board (CAB), the Restorative Justice Panels, in the detention facility, and general office assistance at the Florence location. 

Creating a volunteer program meant organizing and implementing guidelines so that all volunteers were screened and approved to work on behalf of the court. In order to do this, a volunteer application process was developed. All volunteers are required to submit an application, be fingerprinted, agree to a background review, sign a drug-free workplace form and a volunteer agreement form. Individual interviews determine which volunteer opportunity is best for them. Each volunteer is provided with an identification badge for security purposes. 

Volunteers work with the court through Community Advisory Boards (CAB), Restorative Justice Panels, Detention Faith-Based Programs, Community Service Work Sites, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and Foster Care Program. 

Being Accountable

Winners have demonstrated substantial or creative contributions in using taxpayer resources wisely to achieve desired results; establishing and meeting court standards; linking performance with budget; maintaining ongoing strategic planning; and, continuing and enhancing judicial performance review.

MVD Computer Interface, City of Phoenix Municipal Court

The City of Phoenix Municipal Court began participating in the Arizona Department of Revenue's (DOR) Debt Setoff Program in November 2002. To participate in the program, courts must provide DOR with social security numbers and other debtor information, which DOR then matches with individuals who qualify for refunds or lottery winnings and provides that information to the court to confirm the match. Upon confirmation, DOR sends a notice to the debtor that their tax refund or lottery winning has been intercepted. Additionally, to increase collections, the court notifies the debtor when the initial claim is sent to DOR. 

Since social security numbers are not always included on existing court records, the Phoenix Municipal Court used several innovative methods to obtain information such as: Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) record checks; credit bureau checks; collection and booking agency information; and, bankruptcy information. 

For the initial submission of names for interception, social security numbers had be manually obtained by staff, one at a time, through MVD and credit bureau checks which was time and labor intensive. To solve this problem, a computer interface with MVD was developed and is now run daily. (The Phoenix Municipal Court was the first Arizona court to develop an electronic interface to obtain social security numbers from MVD.) 

Upon implementation of the interface, the court was able to increase the dollar amount of claims submitted to the DOR by 80 percent, from $41,000,000 to $74,000,000. To date, the MVD interface has provided more than 130,000 social security numbers which has greatly reduced the manual process. This interface has been a key factor in the court's collection through court notices and interceptions of approximately $2,300,000 in unpaid financial sentences since November 2002. In addition, the interface exemplifies how taxpayer resources are being used wisely to achieve desired results at the City of Phoenix. 

Distinguished Service Awards

Improving Public Trust and Confidence Award

Winners of this award will have accomplished an outstanding achievement in improving public trust and confidence in the courts by inspiring confidence that individual rights are being protected and ensuring that all citizens are being treated fairly. Achievements may be through the judge's judicial or administrative efforts in providing education or training; implementing projects or programs in the judge's court, or in other state courts; or, supporting the strategic initiatives of Justice for a Better Arizona, or other demonstrated achievement in this area. Nomination may be for a specific project or effort, or for multiple projects or efforts throughout the judge's career.

Honorable H. Jeffrey Coker, Coconino County Superior Court

Judge H. Jeffrey Coker has been on the Coconino County Superior Court bench for almost 20 years. In his long and distinguished tenure, he has made tremendous contributions to both Coconino County Superior Court and the statewide justice system, which have improved judicial administration and public trust and confidence in the courts. 

As presiding judge of juvenile court from 1987-1994, he chaired the Committee on Juvenile Courts. Then as presiding judge of the superior court from 1991 to 2002, Judge Coker tirelessly brought the rural perspective to numerous committees of the Supreme Court and served on the Arizona Judicial Council for six years. As a member of two jury practices and procedures committees, he was instrumental in improving the jury system statewide. Judge Coker also has served as the co-chair of the Minute Entry Reform Committee. 

His many contributions to the Coconino County Superior Court include: 

• Coordinating the renovation and restoration of the historic courthouse in Flagstaff, 1994-2002;

• obtaining funds to implement a DUI/Drug Court;

• leading Justice 2020, a project that created a vision for justice in Coconino County and a strategic plan for the courts with the active participation of local justice system stakeholders and citizens. As part of Justice 2020, Judge Coker held a minority Citizen's Town Hall, which Chief Justice Charles Jones attended.

• Developing effective caseflow management systems for civil, criminal and domestic relations cases;

• adding a part-time judge pro tem to assist with delinquency and dependency cases, a position that is now full-time;

• obtaining funding to add a fifth division of superior court;

• developing a local rule that allows judges to participate in plea negotiations, later adopted as a statewide rule;

• establishing an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program;

• establishing the first combined self help center/law library/legal aid office; and,

• founding Teen Court (the second in the state).

During Judge Coker's tenure as presiding judge, superior court won two Justice for a Better Arizona awards for its criminal case processing system and for its Justice 2020 project. 

Administration of Justice Award

Winners have accomplished an outstanding achievement in the administration of justice by improving services to those who use the court system including jurors, witnesses, litigants, attorneys and defendants; improving court facilities; enhancing services to pro se litigants; facilitating access to the courts; improving accountability; or, supporting the strategic initiatives of Justice for a Better Arizona, or other demonstrated achievement in this area. Nomination may be for a specific project or effort, or for multiple projects or efforts during the individual's career in court administration.

James R. Scorza, Court Administrator, City of Phoenix Municipal Court

James Scorza has served the court executive administrator for the Phoenix Municipal Court for more than a decade. Over the years, Scorza, along with his Presiding Judge, Bob Dorfman, has been a steady hand in reforming and improving the state's largest municipal court. Each year nearly 400,000 cases are filed with the Phoenix Municipal Court. It has been Scorza's job to make sure the court has sufficient staff, judicial resources, jurors, and courtrooms to handle the workload and to provide good customer service to those who come to the court. 

Scorza has seen many changes during his tenure with the court. He has seen the court's reputation for enforcing court orders and court collections change from one of the worst courts in the state to one of the best. He was part of the management team that worked with city officials to develop a plan to build a new court facility. The Phoenix City Court was housed in an old school facility that was ill-suited for court use, and scheduled for demolition because of its poor condition. The court is now located in one of the most attractive buildings in downtown Phoenix and is a model of court house design and use. 

He also is a member of the Limited Jurisdiction Oversight Council of Maricopa County. The Council, chaired by Presiding Judge Colin Campbell, serves as a steering committee for developing policy and procedures for all limited jurisdiction courts in Maricopa County. Scorza is a highly respected, contributing member of this Council. 

While Scorza has accomplished a lot, he is not yet finished "doing his job." Last summer the Supreme Court announced the FARE initiative and he was one of the first to volunteer his court as a "pioneer court." This project takes court order enforcement to another level and Scorza, as expected, wants to be a front-runner in this effort.

Chief Justice's Outstanding Contribution to the Courts Award

Winners have made an outstanding contribution to the courts by improving public trust and confidence in the courts; improving judicial administration; supporting the strategic initiatives of Justice for a Better Arizona, or other demonstrated achievements in these areas. Nomination may be for a specific project or effort, or for multiple projects or efforts.

Honorable Fred L. Peterson

As the presiding judge for the Snowflake Justice Court, the honorable Fred Peterson is the most recognizable public figure in that part of Navajo County, Arizona. He not only serves as the presiding justice of the peace for Navajo County, but also as president of the Arizona Justice of the Peace Association. He is a member of the Limited Jurisdiction Courts' New Judges Orientation Committee and of the Arizona Judicial Council.

He holds a masters degree in counseling and human relations and has served on the Snowflake Town Council. He is a virtual icon in the community because of his leadership, family values, and gentle nature. Because of his outstanding public service and distinguished reputation, he was nominated for, and won, the highest award of the National Judges Association, the 2004 Kenneth L. MacEachern Memorial Award.

Justice courts are "best practices" courts according to Judge Peterson. He stresses that, within their diverse communities, justice courts must provide for the uniformity that the law requires. He sincerely believes that no one is more interested in setting higher standards than the justices of the peace themselves. He advocates for higher qualifications for justices of the peace, upholding the integrity of the office and always walking the ethical line. 

Honorable William B. Sutton Jr.

As a judge at the Williams City Court and as the Presiding Justice of the Peace in Coconino County, the Honorable William Sutton's many contributions to his community include: organizing and monitoring an Alcohol Impact Panel, which addresses the issues of illegal consumption of alcohol by minors; organizing and supervising a work force of convicted violators to provide community service work at various locations throughout the community; organizing a tobacco education forum, which provides violators of the tobacco statutes with information about the harmful effects tobacco can have on the body; and, working with the Williams School District to provide support services such as You be the Judge, and values education and reading enjoyment programs.

A native Arizonan, Judge Sutton was instilled with an unending drive to achieve excellence by a high school English teacher. After high school, he funneled his energies into his college education, working as a school bus driver, delivering newspapers and working for the forest service until, in 1977, he achieved a B.S. in education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

His nine year teaching career ended when he followed in his father's footsteps and became a Justice of the Peace in 1991. Judge Sutton's jurisdiction in Coconino County is about 6,000 square miles and, with a staff of six, whom he describes as "The backbone of the court," he handles more than 5,000 cases per year.

He is part of the local Justice 2020 Project and a member of a committee that recently formed a drug court for the county. Judge Sutton also is a member of the Arizona Judicial Council, which assists the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the administration of all courts, uniformity in court operations and coordination of court services that will improve the administration of justice in the state of Arizona. He is a past president of the Arizona Justice of the Peace Association and a recipient of the National Judges Association Kenneth L. MacEachern Award as the finest non-lawyer judge in America.