2 days ago · Judge Cruz is a child of working class parents, a Yuma County resident for over 30 years, and will be the first ever Latina and Black Arizonan to sit on the state’s highest court. “Judge Maria Elena Cruz has led a life dedicated to justice and service to her state and community,” said Governor Katie Hobbs.

2 days ago · Gov. Katie Hobbs has named appeals court Judge Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court. Cruz is the first Latina and first Black Arizonan to serve on the state’s most influential bench.

2 days ago · Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has appointed Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court. The state appellate judge from rural Yuma County will become the first Latina and the first Black person chosen for the state’s high court.

1 day ago · While in private practice, Cruz also served as a judge for the Cocopah Indian Tribe before being elected to Yuma County Superior Court in 2008. She is now the only Democrat on the ASC. Search Query Show Search. ... The governor chose Maria Elena Cruz, now a judge on the Court of Appeals, from among the five names submitted to her by the ...

2 days ago · Gov. Katie Hobbs on Wednesday named Judge Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court, making her the first Latina and first Black high court justice in state history. “Why should the courts not reflect the population?” Cruz told reporters on Wednesday. Cruz is a Yuma County Democrat who ...

Nov 3, 2020 · Maria Elena Cruz is a judge for Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals. She assumed office on April 12, 2017. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027. Cruz ran for re-election for the Division One judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals. She won in the retention election on November 3, 2020.

Hon. Maria Elena Cruz. Judge Cruz obtained a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law and has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Arizona. She began her practice of law as a prosecutor in Arizona at the Yuma County Attorney’s Office, prosecuting felony offenders.

MARIA ELENA CRUZ serves on the Arizona Court of Appeals. Prior to Judge Cruz’ appointment to the Court of Appeals, she served as the Presiding Judge of Superior Court in Yuma County. In addition to administering the business of the Yuma courts while she served as Presidi ng Judge, Judge Cruz presided over criminal

2 days ago · Gabriel Sandoval. Maria Elena Cruz speaks to reporters after Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announces Cruz's appointment to the Arizona Supreme Court in Phoenix on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

2 days ago · PHOENIX -- Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday, making the state appellate judge from Yuma County the first Latina and first Black ...