§ 6-303 Committee On Juvenile Courts

A. General Purpose.

1. With the approval of the chief justice, advisory committees may be appointed to help the Committee on Superior Court carry out its responsibilities.

2. A Committee on Juvenile Courts is established as a standing committee of the Committee on Superior Court and shall be known as the Committee on Juvenile Courts (COJC).

3. COJC is established to facilitate communication and problem solving among the juvenile court judges in regard to juvenile court matters.

4. COJC shall assist the Committee on Superior Court and the Arizona Judicial Council in the development and implementation of policies and procedures designed to improve:

a. The quality of justice,

b. Access to courts, and

c. Efficiency in court operations.

5. COJC shall also identify the needs of the juvenile court for all children within the jurisdiction of the court and for children otherwise involved in the judicial system.

6. COJC shall advocate for the fair and equal treatment of children, plan for future developments of the juvenile system, and recommend uniform policies and procedures to improve juvenile court operations.

B. Membership.

1. COJC is composed of the following members:

a. All presiding juvenile court judges,

b. The juvenile court directors from Maricopa and Pima Counties,

c. A juvenile court director from a non-metropolitan county,

d. A representative of the local Foster Care Review Boards,

e. Two public members with juvenile court experience or knowledge,

f. Such other members as may be appointed at the discretion of the chief justice.

2. The chief justice shall appoint the chairperson of COJC.

C. Terms of Members.

1. COJC members holding membership by virtue of their positions are members of COJC so long as they hold their respective positions.

2. The chief justice shall appoint the other members of COJC for terms of varying lengths to encourage continuity on COJC.

D. Responsibilities of Members.

1. COJC members shall:

a. Attend and actively participate in COJC meetings,

b. Assist with the administration of COJC affairs, and

c. Serve on other advisory committees as deemed necessary.

2. Under the direction of the chief justice, the Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile Justice Services Division and the Dependent Children’s Services Division, shall assist and support COJC and may conduct or coordinate management projects and research studies related to judicial administration and other juvenile court matters as recommended by COJC.

E. Organization.

1. The chief justice shall appoint COJC leadership as needed to organize committee affairs.

2. The chairperson may appoint ad hoc advisory committees to help COJC carry out its responsibilities.

F. Meetings.

1. COJC shall meet no less than three (3) times a year and additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the chairperson.

2. COJC shall meet as requested with representatives of Arizona’s juvenile justice, child welfare and youth service systems to explore and consider issues impacting children in the legal system.

3. COJC shall provide notice of meetings and conduct their meetings consistent with the ACJA meeting requirements.

G. Quorum and Actions.

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

2. COJC shall adopt rules for conducting COJC business.

3. These rules shall prescribe the majority needed to constitute COJC actions. Adopted by Administrative Order 2000-76 effective November 9, 2000. Amended by Administrative Order 2026-90, effective July 8, 2026.