Maria Elena Cruz

Arizona Court of Appeals - Division One

serves on the Arizona Court of Appeals. Prior to Judge Cruz’ appointment to the Court of Appeals, she served as the Presiding Judge of Superior Court in Yuma County. During her tenure in the Superior Court Judge Cruz presided over juvenile, family, civil and criminal matters. Judge Cruz obtained a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law and has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Arizona. As a Court of Appeals judge, Judge Cruz presides over criminal, civil, tax, and administrative law appeals. Judge Cruz also serves on the Arizona Supreme Court’s Commission on Victims in the Court, Arizona State Bar Convention Working Group, University of Arizona’s Innovation for Justice (i4j) Board, and Commission on Diversity, Equality, and Justice in the Judiciary. She also volunteers her time as a presenter for U of A Law School, ASU Law School, and community organizations around the State. Judge Cruz contributes to the development of the law internationally by serving as a professor of law teaching trial advocacy in various regions within the Republic of Mexico.