Members of Arizona’s Commission on Judicial Performance Review have deemed Pinal County Superior Court Judge Janna Vanderpool unfit to be on the bench. According to the Yellow Sheet, Vanderpool was the only one of 77 judges from Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties who the 30-member commission voted as unqualified last week.
Pinal County voters elected Vanderpool to the bench three times. However, Pinal County’s Presiding Superior Court Judge Carter Olson joined the majority in the 23-6 vote against Vanderpool.
Attorneys gave Vanderpool a 36 percent rating, in a recent survey, finding her legal ability as “poor” or “unsatisfactory.” That rating, which is shared with the voters, will make Vanderpool the first judge in Pinal County not to be recommended for retention.
According to the Yellow Sheet, “It’s only the second time since 1998 the commission hasn’t given a judge its blessing. The commission deemed Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Crane McClennen unfit in 2008, but voters allowed him to keep his job.”