What is a Justice of the Peace?

A Justice of the Peace is an elected judge who presides over cases in the Justice Court, which is a limited jurisdiction (or lower) court. In Arizona, the Justice of the Peace hears cases involving:

• Misdemeanors

• Criminal and civil traffic

• Small claims (up to $5,000)

• Civil lawsuits (up to $10,000)

• Collections / Garnishments

• Evictions and landlord/tenant disputes

• Orders of Protection

• Injunctions against Harassment

The Justice of the Peace is also tasked with officiating weddings and issuing arrest and search warrants.

Honorable Patricia Glover, Presiding Justice of the Peace for the Western Pinal Justice Court

The Pinal County Justice Courts are divided into six precincts. Constituents within these precincts vote to elect the Justice of the Peace and the Constable who then serve four-year terms.

Judge Glover is currently serving as the presiding judge of the Western Pinal Justice Court (Precinct 4). She was elected in 2024 to serve a two-year term (completing the term of the former judge who resigned mid-term). Since that time, she has taken steps to streamline court processes, expand the court calendar, and create DIY forms so that self-represented litigants can effectively navigate the court without incurring thousands of dollars in attorneys' fees.