New Judge Appointed to Oro Valley Municipal Court
Exciting news for Oro Valley! On March 3, our Town Council appointed James W. Hazel Jr. as the new presiding judge for the Oro Valley Municipal Court. He’ll be stepping into the role on April 19, 2021, succeeding Judge George Dunscomb, who’s retiring after nearly 22 years of dedicated service to our community.
Judge Hazel brings a wealth of experience to Oro Valley. Before this, he was the presiding judge at the Apache Junction Municipal Court, a position he held since 2008. His career also includes time as a judge for the City of Mesa and the Arizona Superior Court in Gila County. Before his judicial appointments, Judge Hazel served as the Gila County Attorney, showcasing his extensive background in law and justice.
In a recent chat with Tucson Local Media, Judge Hazel shared what locals can expect in his courtroom. His main focus is on fairness, courtesy, and respect. He emphasized, “Citizens will always be able to expect being treated with fairness, courtesy and respect.” He wants his courtroom to be a place where everyone feels heard and solutions are found.
Judge Hazel’s impressive academic background includes a bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster in Ohio, a law degree from the University of Toledo, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Valdosta State University. We look forward to his positive impact on our community.
Sources
– Google Maps
– Town of Oro Valley