After 9 years on the bench and countless hearings, Justice of the Peace Kema Granillo has decided to hang up her judge’s robe & retire in the beginning of June.
“It’s hasn’t seemed like it has been almost ten years, I’ve enjoyed it a lot,” Granillo said. “It’s nice to go out on my own terms. I think it’s time to spend time with my family and do something I’ve wanted to do – travel.”
To fulfill the vacancy, the Board of Supervisors appointed a Citizens’ Screening Committee on Wednesday. The committee will review applications & interview candidates for the vacancy. The committee will then forward their recommendation to the Supervisors who will pick a successor. Whoever is chosen will serve until the swearing in of the person who wins in the November General Election. The appointee may also choose to run for the office.
“I’m sorry that Judge Granillo has decided to retire,” said Presiding Superior Court Judge Boyd Johnson. “She served the people as a Judge should, with decency and dignity. She will be missed.”
Before she was elected to the Justice of the Peace position in November 1997, Granillo worked as the Chief Clerk for the Florence Court for 9 years.
“I really didn’t think I was going to run for an elected position,” Granillo said. “I think I have done a decent job. You can’t please everyone. You always have to follow the law.”
While Judge Granillo said she is going to miss many parts of the job, she will especially miss the contact with the citizens.
“The Justice of the Peace is called the ‘people’s court.’ You have a lot of contact with the public in a one-to-one setting. That’s a lot different than in the Superior Court. In the Justice Court you have more of an opportunity to talk with the people in the smaller communities. You go into a store and people know who you are.”
After a slight pause, Judge Granillo stressed that she will also miss her staff at the Justice Court.
“The staff is great. This is the best staff I have had since I have been in office. No one could ask for a better group of people to work with every day.”
Requirements for filling a vacancy in a County Office:
1. Must meet minimum qualifications of ARS 11-402.
2. Must be of the same political party as the previous officer (ARS 16-230).
3. Must be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors (ARS 11-251.16)
Eligibility requirements for the Florence Justice of the Peace:
At the time of selection, the selected individual must:
1. Be 18 years of age or older.
2. Be a resident of the State of Arizona.
3. Be an elector of the Florence Justice of the Peace precinct.
4. Be able to read and write the English language.
5. Must be a registered Democrat (See Requirement 2 above).
Resumes must be submitted by 5 pm on Friday, April 25th, 2008 to:
Sheri Cluff
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
Pinal County
P.O. Box 827
31 North Pinal Street, Building A
Florence, AZ 85232
Justice of the Peace Facts:
* There are eight Justice of the Peace Precincts in Pinal County.
* These are non-record courts, which means they are not required to keep permanent records of all proceedings.
* Justice of the Peace courts have limited jurisdiction. They hear both civil & criminal cases.
* Civil jurisdiction is limited up to $9,999.99. Criminal jurisdiction is limited to misdemeanor & petty offenses.
* Justice Courts may issue restraining orders in cases of domestic violence & harassment.
* Justice Courts can issue search warrants in felony cases.
* Justice Court judges do not have to be practicing attorneys.
* Justice of the Peace serves a 4 year term.