Appoint Judge Maria Brewer as Judge Pro Tempore of the Goodyear Municipal Court, for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021 and on-going for Fiscal Year 2022 and continue appointment of all Pro Tems as previously approved.

Appoint Judge Maria Brewer as Judge Pro Tempore of the Goodyear Municipal Court, for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021 and for Fiscal Year 2022. (Crystal Whelan, Court Administrator)

Funding to support the use of Pro Tem Judges is currently maintained in the Court General Fund Budget - Part Time funding - in the amount of .3 FTE or $33,800 for Fiscal year 2021, and Fiscal Year 2022. There is no request to change this part-time personnel budget.

Pursuant to the employment agreement of the Presiding Judge and the City of Goodyear, the Presiding Judge will recommend a list of qualified individuals to serve as Judge Pro Tem in the Goodyear Municipal Court each year. Each fiscal year, the Goodyear City Council may appoint Judges Pro Tem from the list to substitute for the Presiding Judge during periods of authorized absence. The Judge may also secure the services of a Judge Pro Tem from the approved list to preside over conflict cases or as reasonably necessary to address court dockets in a timely manner, thus achieving access to justice at all times within the Goodyear Municipal Court. Pursuant to the COVID-19 health pandemic and Supreme Court Administrative Order, Courts are addressing backlogs and should expand case disposition activity, using Judges Pro Tempore in order to continue with courtroom proceedings to the greatest and safest extent possible. It is recommended adding an additional Judge Pro Tempore to the Goodyear Municipal Court approved listing of Pro Tem Judges due to the increasing demand for courtroom proceedings in the Court. The Court also seeks continued approval of all currently approved Judges (Judge O'Hair-Schattenberg, Judge Rollison, Judge Brown, Judge Breger, and Judge Ring, through December 2021).

Recommendation for immediate action, add Pro Tem Maria Brewer to the approved Pro Tem listing:
Maria C. Brewer
Bar Status: Member of the Arizona Bar, United States Federal District Court Bar, and United States Supreme Court Bar
Work History:
- Presiding Judge, Buckeye City Court. 02/2014 - 4/2021
- Hearing Officer and Pro Tem Judge, City of Chandler. 10/2007 - 02/2014
- Senior Assistant City Prosecutor, City of Chandler. 08/1998 - 10/2007
- Deputy County Attorney, Mohave County. 09/1995 - 08/1998
- Law Office of Maria C. Brewer. 10/1992 - 08/1995
Education:
- Arizona State University, MPA, May 2007
- University of Arizona, College of Law, JD, May 1992
- Arizona State University, BS in Finance, May 1989
Presentations: Investigating a DUI; Domestic Violence Issues; How to Prosecute Civil Code Violations; Civil/Criminal Traffic Issues (GOHS Judicial Conference); Civil Traffic Hearing Officer (Judicial Education Center); Keeping the RAJIs Real (2020 State Bar Convention)
Committees/Board:
- Member, Criminal Jury Instructions Committee ,2012 - present
- Member and Chair, Defensive Driving School Board, 2014 - present
- Steering Committee Member, AZ Women's Law Association, 2012 - 2014
- Presiding Judge Member, Avondale Judiciary Advisory Board, appointed 2016
- Presiding Judge Member, Goodyear Judicial Advisory Board, appointed 2020
Volunteerism:
Judge - State and National High School Mock Trial Competition. 2008 - present
Donor - Susan G. Komen Foundation
Participant - numerous charitable and civic organization events such as Arizona Animal Welfare Leagure, My Sister's Place, 911 Challenge, Race for the Cure, Wounded Warrior Project, and The Arizona Humane Society
Volunteer Presiding Judge - Homeless Court 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

The Court has previously requested the appointment of Judges Pro Tem in order to ensure adequate courtroom docket coverage and expedient courtroom procedures, moving cases efficiently and effectively to avoid backlogs. Pro Tem Judges allow the Court to provide timely and effective Court services to the Public.