The Governor’s Office is accepting applications for an anticipated judicial vacancy on Division 5 of the Yavapai County Superior Court resulting from the resignation of Judge Celé Hancock, effective January 2, 2024.
Hancock has agreed to step down from the bench judge as part of a deal with the Arizona’s Commission on Judicial Conduct, following her arrest and conviction for DUI.
Hancock was arrested and cited for DUI on Mar. 19, 2023, and was convicted in May of misdemeanor DUI.
“The Commission has agreed to forgo seeking formal disciplinary sanctions against Judge Hancock and will close the pending complaint. The stipulated resolution provides a prompt and final resolution to the pending complaint, while also protecting the public and the integrity of the judiciary,” a portion of the Commission’s statement read.
The Governor’s Office will review applications and interview selected applicants for the position, and Governor Hobbs will appoint the new judge pursuant to Article VI, Section 12 of the Arizona Constitution.
The judicial application can be downloaded from the Governor’s Boards and Commissions website: https://bc.azgovernor.gov/.
Applicants must be:
- At least 30 years of age and less than 65 years of age
- Of good moral character
- Admitted to the practice of law in Arizona for the past five years
- A resident of Arizona for the past five years, and
- A resident of Yavapai County for the past year pursuant to Article VI, Sections 22 and 37 of the Arizona Constitution
A signed PDF version of the application and attachments must be submitted via email to azgovlegal@az.gov by 5 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2023.
Initial interviews with the Governor’s staff will be open to the public and will be held during the week of Dec. 11.