The Commission reviews all applications, interviews candidates and selects finalists whose names are forwarded to the Governor. The Governor reviews the applications, interviews each finalist and appoints one of them to the bench. Superior Court judges in Maricopa County remain in office by the approval of voters in retention elections. There are no opponents in these elections. Every two years each judge undergoes a public review process, including a survey of the judges ability by lawyers, litigants, jurors and staff.
Judges face a retention election every four years.
Commissioners are appointed by the Court's Presiding Judge from attorneys who apply and are recommended by a selection committee made up of judges, lawyers and others. Commissioners handle specific assigned cases and uncontested matters.