§ 1-107 Commission on Diversity, Equality, and Justice in the Judiciary

A. General Purpose. The Commission on Diversity, Equality, and Justice in the Judiciary is established as a standing committee of the Arizona Judicial Council (AJC). The commission assists the Council in developing and implementing policies designed to promote diversity, equality, and justice in the judicial department and in the legal community in Arizona. The commission works collaboratively across the Judicial Branch to advance efforts to improve justice, eliminate bias from court operations, promote equal access to courts, and inspire a high level of trust and public confidence. The commission strives to identify and to eliminate the effects of racial, ethnic, and cultural bias in our state court system by:

1. Developing recommendations to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion in recruiting, hiring, and training of judicial officers, and court and probation department employees;

2. Promoting racial inclusion and fairness in the Arizona Judicial Branch by coordinating efforts with other justice system partners, the legal community, and non-governmental organizations;

3. Identifying court policies and procedures that disproportionately affect communities of color, and advancing solutions to ensure racial equality in Arizona’s criminal justice, juvenile justice, and child welfare systems;

4. Developing programs that encourage diverse group members to obtain internships and clerkships, and to participate in other career development and training programs for judicial, legal, court, and law-related positions;

5. Monitoring and assisting in the implementation of goals and strategies identified in the Arizona Judicial Branch Strategic Agenda regarding diversity, equality, and justice; and

6. Providing reports on the commission’s work and recommendations to the Arizona Judicial Council.

B. Membership. Members shall be selected from among the following: judicial officers in the state courts; juvenile probation, detention, and corrections; diversity bar associations; the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC); universities and community colleges; community relations offices; the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families; and such other categories as the chief justice may deem appropriate.

C. Terms. The chief justice will appoint a chair, vice chair and members of the commission for terms of varying lengths to encourage continuity. Commission members may be reappointed for successive terms.

D. Responsibilities of Members. Commission members will attend and actively participate in commission meetings and shall serve on advisory subcommittees as deemed necessary.

E. Organization. The chair may appoint members to advisory subcommittees to assist the commission in carrying out its responsibilities.

F. Meetings. The commission will meet no less than twice a year. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the commission chair. All meetings will comply with the judicial department's public meeting policy, ACJA § 1-202, and the following requirements:

1. Quorum. The commission must not conduct business unless a quorum of members is present as defined in ACJA § 1-202.

2. Virtual Attendance (attendance by remote electronic means). The commission chair may designate a meeting as a virtual attendance meeting. Otherwise commission members may virtually attend a meeting with prior approval of the chair. Staff shall ensure public access to the virtual meeting.

G. Actions. Approval of a majority of those voting shall constitute an action of the commission. A commission member may designate a proxy in accordance with ACJA § 1-104 and the following requirements:

1. Members may not use the proxy provision more than once every 12 months.

2. If a member needs to designate a proxy, the member must submit a written request to the chair for approval. If approved by the chair, the designated proxy must comply with the provisions of ACJA § 1-104(D) and commission policies.

H. Staff. Under the direction of the chief justice, the AOC shall provide staff for the commission and as feasible, may conduct or coordinate research as recommended by the commission.

I. Funding. The commission, with the assistance of the AOC, may seek grant funding from local, state and national organizations for its expenses of operation, including expert advice and consultations. To the extent funds are allocated by the director of the AOC for this purpose, supreme court funds may also be used to partially or fully fund the commission's expenses. Adopted by Administrative Order 2001-110, effective November 7, 2001. Amended by Administrative Order 2009-113, effective November 6, 2009. Amended by Administrative Order 2021-69, effective May 5, 2021. Amended by Administrative Order 2026-90, effective July 8, 2026.