JUSTICE COURTS OF MARICOPA COUNTY, Hon. Cathy Riggs

The Press Democrat, Frank Riggs, former North Coast congressman, dies at 73

Cathy holds a bachelor's degree in administration of justice and a law degree. She is a widow as of 2023. Cathy and her 3 children survive her husband. Frank. 

Cathy has experience working as the manager of investigations for the Arizona Medical Board. She previously worked as a police officer and detective. 

Cathy A. Riggs currently serves as a Justice of the Peace in Maricopa County for the Desert Ridge Precinct. She was elected to this position in 2016 and is serving her second term. 

As a justice court judge, Riggs oversees cases involving minor criminal offenses and low-value civil suits, administers oaths to public officials, handles requests for orders of protection against harassment, and performs marriage ceremonies.

Serves as chairman for the pro tempore of the Justice Court and mentors new judges before they serve of the Bench.

- As a justice court judge, Riggs oversees cases involving minor criminal offenses and low-value civil suits, administers oaths to public officials, handles requests for orders of protection against harassment, and performs marriage ceremonies.
- Serves as chairman for the pro tempore of the Justice Court and mentors new judges before they serve of the Bench.

Legal Experience

As of June 25, 2024, Cathy A. Riggs’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Cathy A. Riggs

- The justice of the peace presides over justice courts in each county. The number of justice courts in a county depends on its population. 
- A justice of the peace hears lawsuits, presides over misdemeanor cases, and hears civil and criminal traffic violations. Some examples of cases they might handle include eviction actions, DUIs (driving under the influence), and shoplifting. 
- Justices of the peace are elected in staggered elections for four-year terms. These elections are partisan. 
- Their salary depends on their judicial productivity, in other words, how many cases they see each year and equals, on average, $115,290.
- Some justices of the peace may be an attorney, but this is not a requirement for the role. 

Maricopa Justice of the Peace, Desert Ridge Justice Precinct, Republican Primary

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