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Council appoints Thomas C. McDermott as presiding magistrate for two-year term
Summary
After a month-long recruitment and interviews of finalists, the council unanimously approved an employment agreement appointing Thomas C. McDermott as Apache Junction presiding magistrate for a two-year term beginning Jan. 2, 2025; McDermott pledged to emphasize fairness and efficiency in municipal court.
Apache Junction — The City Council approved an employment agreement on Dec. 17 appointing Thomas C. McDermott as presiding magistrate of the Apache Junction Municipal Court for a two-year term starting Jan. 2, 2025.
City staff reported the recruitment opened in October and drew about 20 applicants; the council interviewed 10 finalists in November and selected McDermott. The signed employment agreement was attached to the council packet; staff said McDermott will begin work on Jan. 2.
During an introduction, staff recited McDermott’s résumé: undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University, law degree from the University of Arizona, experience as a deputy county attorney in Maricopa County and in Pinal County, and work on major crimes and appeals. McDermott corrected one detail in the introduction, saying he has served as a deputy county attorney within the major crimes bureau and has focused recently on appeals and post-conviction relief petitions.
McDermott said he wants to make the municipal court “a model of fairness and efficiency,” described his experience with pro se litigants and appellate work, and thanked the council for their confidence. Council moved, seconded and approved the employment agreement by roll-call vote.
Next steps: McDermott will assume the presiding magistrate role Jan. 2, 2025; administrative onboarding and staffing coordination were indicated as forthcoming.
