Two candidates, incumbent Adriana Olaiz and challenger Miguel Lopez, are on the ballot in the July 21 primary election to be the Democratic party nominee for Santa Cruz County Justice of the Peace.
Miguel A. Lopez
Place of Residence: Rio Rico
Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.), ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Recent Employment
Patagonia Municipal Court (Judge Pro Tempore) | March 2025 – Present
Santa Cruz County Justice of the Peace | December 2023 – December 2024
Law Office of Miguel A. Lopez, P.C. (Attorney) | 2013 – Present
Community Organizations/Activities
Founder, Santa Cruz County Justice Project
Board Member, Boys & Girls Club, Pimeria Alta Historical Society, Nogales Community Development, Nogales Committee for the Arts and Culture
Previous Public Office/Service
Santa Cruz County Justice of the Peace | December 2023 – December 2024
What qualifies you to serve as county Justice of the Peace?
What qualifies me to serve as Justice of the Peace is experience, preparation, and a lifelong commitment to this community. I have been a licensed attorney for 26 years and have served on the bench for the past two years, first as Santa Cruz County Justice of the Peace and now as Patagonia Municipal Judge Pro Tempore. I’m a proud graduate of our public schools and ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, and I founded the Santa Cruz County Justice Project to expand access to justice. I chose this work because every person deserves fairness, dignity, and respect.
What are your top priorities if elected to the position?
My priorities are simple: protect constitutional rights, make the court more accessible and ensure every person is treated fairly and with respect. Whether someone comes to court for an eviction, small claims matter, order of protection, traffic citation or criminal case, they deserve a judge who is prepared, impartial and committed to applying the law equally. I will continue improving access through technology, reducing unnecessary delays, and making court procedures easier to understand so people can navigate the justice system with confidence.
What are the biggest issues faced by the JP Court in Santa Cruz County, and what steps can you take to address them?
The Justice Court faces growing caseloads, limited resources, rural access challenges and difficulty retaining experienced staff in a competitive job market. A court is only as strong as the people who serve the public every day. As judge, I will work to improve efficiency through technology, simplify court processes and advocate for the resources needed to attract and retain qualified employees. When courts are properly staffed, supported and well-organized, cases move more efficiently, and the public receives the timely, professional service it deserves.
Can you explain your judicial temperament in dealing with emotional matters in the courtroom and with litigants who are not well-versed in court proceedings?
People often come to Justice Court on one of the hardest days of their lives. They may be scared, frustrated or unfamiliar with the legal system. My job is to remain calm, listen carefully and explain the process in plain language. No one should leave the courtroom confused about what happened or what comes next. Being respectful does not mean avoiding difficult decisions—it means making them fairly, applying the law equally, and ensuring every person knows they were heard and treated with dignity.
How can the Justice Court better serve residents of eastern Santa Cruz County?
Serving as Patagonia Municipal Judge Pro Tempore has given me firsthand insight into the unique needs of eastern Santa Cruz County. Distance, transportation and time away from work can make getting to court difficult. We can better serve residents by expanding online services, allowing remote appearances when appropriate and providing clear, easy‑to‑understand information. Justice should not depend on where you live. Every resident of Santa Cruz County deserves a court that is accessible, responsive, and committed to serving the entire county.
How can the pressures related to a heavy caseload in this position be best managed?
A busy court requires more than hard work—it requires preparation, organization and leadership. Experience teaches you how to keep cases moving without sacrificing fairness or thoughtful decision-making. I’ve managed heavy court calendars before, and I know that justice delayed can be justice denied. By working closely with court staff, improving communication and using technology where appropriate, we can reduce unnecessary delays while ensuring every case receives the attention it deserves.
Adriana Olaiz
Place of Residence: Lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County, currently residing in Nogales.
Education: I attended the University of Arizona and, after raising my three children, returned to school to complete the National Center for Interpretation Court Interpreter Training Institute. I became certified as a Tier III Court Interpreter through the Arizona Certified Court Interpreter Program and have continued my professional education through judicial training provided by the Arizona Judicial Branch and the Arizona Supreme Court.
Community organizations/activities:
I am a member of the Nogales Lions Club and have participated in numerous educational, youth, public safety, and community outreach initiatives. Whether visiting classrooms, speaking with students, collaborating with local agencies, or supporting community events, I believe that strong relationships and community engagement are essential to effective public service. As someone who has called this community home for more than 25 years, I believe serving the community means being present in it, listening to it, and working alongside it.
Previous public office/service:
Prior to serving as Justice of the Peace, I spent several years serving our community as a certified court interpreter, working daily in Superior, Justice, and Juvenile Courts throughout Santa Cruz County.
What qualifies you to serve as county justice of the peace?
My qualifications come from a combination of judicial experience, years of service within our courts and a lifelong connection to the community I serve. Before becoming Justice of the Peace, I worked daily in Superior Court, Justice Court, and Juvenile Court as a certified court interpreter, gaining firsthand knowledge of our court system and the people it serves. Justice Court is the People’s Court, and throughout my career, I have learned that being a good judge starts with being present and recognizing that behind every case is a person who deserves fairness, respect, and dignity.
What are your top priorities (no more than 3) if elected to the position?
My top two goals are to continue expanding the specialty courts and to improve access to justice throughout the county. Community partnership is essential in ensuring the right services are available and provided at the right time to those in need. The more the judicial branch can do to inform the public about the role of the court, its place in our community, and the importance of understanding and participating in the judicial process, the more we can promote the public’s trust and confidence in the Court.
What are the biggest issues faced by the JP court in Santa Cruz County, and what steps can you take to address them?
Most challenges faced by the JP Court are similar to those faced by other JP courts across the country. A blend of technological gaps, case backlogs, threats from political attacks and false information are all issues facing our courts. The JP court is working diligently to counteract these challenges by updating its virtual-appearance procedure, implementing an e-filing system, and upholding decorum and impartiality in all proceedings. I have found that the most common source of mistakes in managing difficult challenges is emphasizing finding the right answer, rather than asking the right question.
Can you explain your judicial temperament in dealing with emotional matters in the courtroom and with litigants who are not well-versed in court proceedings?
Judicial temperament begins with listening. Many people who come to Justice Court are experiencing one of the most stressful moments of their lives and may be unfamiliar with court procedures. My role is to remain patient, respectful and impartial while ensuring everyone understands the process and has the opportunity to be heard. Treating people with dignity does not compromise the law; it strengthens confidence in the judicial system. My mission is to make a positive difference, not to prove that I am right.
How can the Justice Court better serve residents of eastern Santa Cruz County?
The Court’s best ability is availability. I am actively working to expand the cases handled by our JP-East Court to include civil traffic and other case types. During my tenure, the Court has established its e-filing system—open to all members of the community. The goal of e-filing is to develop simpler ways for litigants to obtain information about court processes and procedures, and to provide a way to do court business away from the courthouse.
How can the pressures related to a heavy case load in this position be best managed?
Managing a heavy caseload requires preparation, organization and teamwork. While every decision ultimately rests with the judge, courts rely on knowledgeable and dedicated staff whose institutional knowledge is invaluable. A strong judge-clerk partnership built on communication, trust and mutual respect is essential to an efficient and responsive court. I make it a priority to review filings, motions and responses before every hearing so I enter the courtroom prepared and informed. I also remain committed to ongoing judicial education and mentorship to continually improve courtroom management, case flow, and service to the community