Judge McDermott asks council to consider replacing an associate magistrate with contract attorney

Judge McDermott asked the Apache Junction council on July 6 to consider an employment agreement that would add a contract attorney, referred to in the presentation as Mr. Service, to the roster of associate magistrates.

McDermott told the council that the court now has five associate magistrates but that one is no longer available because he is employed full time elsewhere, leaving the court short-handed for unexpected absences. "I will need a replacement just to fill out my roster, and just give me the flexibility if I have a family emergency or if something comes up out of the blue," McDermott said.

The judge described the candidate as a longtime contract public defender in Superior Court whom he has opposed and worked with in court. McDermott said the candidate has "a good disposition" and "would make a fine addition to our roster of associate magistrates." He acknowledged the candidate maintains a criminal-defense practice but said the candidate assured him he can make himself available for scheduled court coverage.

Council members asked about the candidate's availability and about how the court is operating. McDermott said most associate magistrates are full-time practicing attorneys and that he coordinates coverage around their schedules; he said court operations have been running "quite smoothly" since a recent staff change and credited a clerk (referred to as Miss Bunker) for improving operations.

No formal action was taken; the presentation served to inform the council and to request consideration of an employment agreement. Council members thanked McDermott and posed follow-up questions but did not vote on the matter during the work session.