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Arizona’s New Chief Justice Prioritizes Legal Access, Public Trust, and Youth Violence Issues

Arizona Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer Launches Comprehensive Justice Initiative

Phoenix, AZ — Ann A. Scott Timmer was sworn in as Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice on July 1, 2024, becoming the fourth woman to hold the position. She has unveiled an ambitious five-year plan titled "And Justice for All," emphasizing the urgent need to address underrepresentation of lawyers, particularly in rural areas. Arizona ranks alarmingly low—49th out of 50 states—in lawyers per capita. "We are a legal desert within an actual desert," Timmer states, stressing the barriers many face in accessing legal representation for issues like consumer debt and family law.

Central to her initiative is the expansion of access to justice. Arizona has pioneered self-help centers and licensed paraprofessionals to provide affordable legal assistance in several legal areas, with 60 now operational statewide. Timmer envisions community justice workers—existing social service employees—providing supervised legal advice as another resource to enhance accessibility.

Timmer’s agenda also focuses on fostering public trust in the judicial system. Acknowledging a decline in confidence, she urges judges to be transparent about their decisions and is creating a communications strategy involving media professionals to better engage the public. Her outreach efforts include exploring modern platforms like TikTok to connect with younger generations.

In addition, Timmer is prioritizing youth welfare, addressing the troubling rise in violent delinquency. The Youth Violence Summit she organized aimed to develop strategies to divert young individuals from criminal paths.

With an eye toward advancing judicial excellence and professionalism, Timmer aims to make judicial roles more appealing amid competitive salary challenges. Her extensive legal background, combined with a commitment to serving the public, articulates her vision of a more accessible and trusted justice system in Arizona.

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

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Photo credit www.flagstaffbusinessnews.com

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