Maria Elena Cruz
Maria Elena Cruz | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office January 29, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Katie Hobbs |
| Preceded by | Robert M. Brutinel |
| Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals | |
| In office April 12, 2017 – January 29, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Doug Ducey |
| Preceded by | Andrew Gould |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1972 (age 52–53)[1] Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Arizona (BA) (JD) |
Maria Elena Cruz (born 1972) is an American lawyer who has served a justice of the Arizona Supreme Court since January 29, 2025. Cruz served on the Arizona Court of Appeals from 2017 to 2025.
Early life and education
[edit]Cruz was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Arizona with her parents when she was 14. Cruz is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she received a bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1998, and a Juris Doctor from the James E. Rogers College of Law in 2001. She also received an associates degree from Arizona Western College in 1995. While attending the University of Arizona as an undergrad, Cruz was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity.
Career
[edit]After law school, Cruz worked as a prosecutor in Tucson and Yuma.
In 2008, Cruz was elected as a judge to the Yuma County Superior Court.[2]
In March 2017, Republican Governor Doug Ducey appointed Cruz to the Arizona Court of Appeals. This was the first judicial appointment from the opposing political party to the Arizona Court of Appeals by a governor since 1991.[3][4][5]
In 2019, Cruz was a finalist for a vacancy on the state supreme court.[6]
In January 2025, Hobbs appointed Cruz to a seat on the Arizona Supreme Court, replacing Robert M. Brutinel.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Arizona's Governor Appoints First Latina and Black Justice to State Supreme Court". Associated Press. January 29, 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ "Wayback Machine". www.yumacountyaz.gov.
- ^ "Ducey Picks Include His First Democrat for Appellate Courts". Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Brewer fills Arizona courts with Republican judges". Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Ducey appoints Democratic judge to Court of Appeals". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ Polletta, Maria. "Five finalists named for open Arizona Supreme Court spot; Bill Montgomery not on the list". AZCentral. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ Barchenger, Stacy (January 29, 2025). "Gov. Katie Hobbs appoints Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court". Arizona Republic.
External links
[edit]Statewide political officials of Arizona | ||
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| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government | ||
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| Supreme Court |
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