Justice Court Green Valley

Each county has justice courts that are presided over by a justice of the peace, who is elected for a four year term. The court has jurisdiction over civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less, landlord and tenant controversies, small claims cases up to $3500 and the full range of civil and criminal traffic offenses, including DUIs. Justices of the peace also resolve other types of misdemeanor allegations (e.g. shoplifting, writing bad checks, violating restraining orders) and, like other trial judges, also handle requests for orders of protection and injunctions against harassment.

The number of justice courts in a county depends on its population. For example, there are 3 justice courts in Pima County.

Green Valley Justice Court (Precinct 7) covers approximately 112 miles, serving the communities of Corona de Tucson, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Arivaca, Amado, and Sasabe.

Language Access Plan (LAP)

I. Legal Basis and Purpose [Plan de Acceso a Idiomas (LAP)]

This document serves as the plan for the Green Valley Justice Court to provide to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) services that are in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.; 45 C.F.R. § 80.1 et seq.; and 28 C.F.R. § 42.101–42.112). The purpose of this plan is to provide a framework for the provision of timely and reasonable language assistance to LEP persons who come in contact with the Green Valley Justice Court.

This language access plan (LAP) was developed to ensure meaningful access to court services for persons with limited English proficiency. Although court interpreters are provided for persons with a hearing loss, access services for them are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act rather than Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and therefore will not be addressed in this plan.

II. Needs Assessment

A. Statewide

The State of Arizona provides court services to a wide range of people, including those who speak limited or no English. From a statewide perspective, the following languages were listed with the greatest number of speakers who spoke English less than "Very Well" in Arizona (according to the American Community Survey estimate report from the U.S. Census Bureau dated April 2012):

• Spanish
• Navajo
• Chinese
• Vietnamese

B. Green Valley Justice Court

The Green Valley Justice Court is responsible for providing services delineated in this plan to all LEP persons. The following list shows identifies the foreign languages that are most frequently used in this court’s geographic area.

1. Spanish

The population of Green Valley was 23,765 at the 2010 census. Our geographical population in 2010 was broken into percentage based for the following age group categories: Persons under 5 years was 0.5%, Persons under 18 years was 1.8%, and Persons 65 years and over was 72.0%.

Information for the U.S. Census Bureau for the Green Valley geographical data is available at http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/04/0429710.html.

In the past year, this court scheduled an interpreter for 26 days; for a total of 97 hearings for which the court provided a party with Spanish, and CART interpreter services. This information is based on data collected from the court calendar and interpreter invoices.

III. Language Assistance Resources

A. Interpreters Used in the Courtroom

1. Providing Interpreters in the Courtroom

In the Green Valley Justice Court, Court interpreters will be provided in all courtroom proceedings at no cost to all LEP court customers including witnesses, victims and parents, guardians, and family members of minors as well as any other person whose presence or participation is necessary or appropriate as determined by the judicial officer.

It is the responsibility of the private attorney, court appointed counsel, or County Attorney to provide qualified interpretation and translation services for witness interviews, pre-trial transcriptions and translations and attorney/client communications during out of court proceedings.

2. Determining the Need for an Interpreter in the Courtroom

The Green Valley Justice Court will take measures to determine the need for language interpretation at the earliest point of contact with a court user.

The Court employs bilingual staff in the Spanish language. When a court user seeks interpreter services at the customer service window or by telephone, we first try to meet their needs by using the language skills of our employees.

Staff who have some knowledge of Spanish but need help with court terminology may consult the following glossary sources.

a. Spanish/English glossary on the AOC self-help Web site, which is available at the customer service window and the link, has been provided to all staff electronically http://supreme22/ctserv/CMU/CMU_CourtInterpreter.htm

b. Spanish Language Style Guide and Glossaries for U.S. Government Web Sites,

https://www.digitalgov.gov/resources/spanish-language-style-guide-and-glossaries/

When court staff cannot interpret for a court user, "I Speak cards" are available at the customer service window and in the courtroom.

The need for a court interpreter may also be identified prior to a court proceeding by the LEP person or on the LEP person’s behalf by court staff or outside justice partners such as Treatment Providers, Veteran’s Outreach Specialist, Constable’s Office, Pima County Attorney’s Office, Domestic Violence Victim Advocates, Pima County Attorney’s Office Victim Services Division, and Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers. In addition, staff as well as the judge will indicate the need for interpretation services in the case file and case management system.

Signage is posted throughout the court building indicating the availability of interpreter services which may help to identify LEP individuals. The Green Valley Justice Court has posted signage at the following locations: Customer Service Window, Public Lobby, and Court’s webpage.

The need for an interpreter also may be made known in the courtroom at the time of the proceeding. If an interpreter is not the case will be postponed and continued on a date when an interpreter can be provided. If case cannot be continued the court will utilize the language line.

3. Interpretation Resources

Pima County Superior Court Resource

The Pima County Superior Court, Court Interpreter’s Office, maintains a roster of individuals who have been qualified and have experience in interpreting in the court setting. The list includes interpreters for many different languages that have expressed an interest in working in the judicial system. This roster is available to court staff on request.

Pima County Consolidated Justice Court Resource

The Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, Office of the Court Interpreter, also maintains a roster of individuals who have been qualified and have experience in interpreting in the court setting. The list includes interpreters for many different languages that have expressed an interest in working in the judicial system.

Court Interpreter Registry and Listserv

The AOC maintains a statewide roster of individuals who indicate they have interpreting experience and have expressed interest in working in the courts. The court using interpreting services will determine the competence of the persons listed. This roster is available to court staff on the Internet at http://www.interpreters.courts.az.gov.

Additionally, AOC created a statewide listserv to allow courts to communicate via email on court interpreter-related matters. The listserv is an excellent resource to locate referrals for

specific language needs. Access codes and instructions to join the listserv, may be obtained from the AOC Language Access Contact Person.

In addition, the AOC’s web page http://ajinweb/ctserv/cmu/CMU_CourtInterpreter.htm also has language access related issues and resources available to the Court.

TeleInterpreter’s Language Services (Language Line)

The Green Valley Justice Court has the capability of providing language services via a language line. There is a written procedure for staff and judges to follow when it is determined that this service would benefit the party in the case.

B. Language Services outside the Courtroom

The Green Valley Justice Court is responsible for taking reasonable steps to ensure that LEP individuals have meaningful access to all court services and programs outside the courtroom. Court services and programs include but are not limited to self-help centers, clerk offices, cashiers, and public records.

The Court takes reasonable steps to ensure that LEP individuals have meaningful access to all court-ordered services and programs. Court-ordered services and programs include but is not limited to mediation, treatment or educational programs provided by a court employee or a private vendor under contract with the Court. Contracts with vendors that provide direct services to court users include the requirements that the vendor provide language services, including interpreters, for all LEP individuals.

The court uses the following resources to facilitate communication with LEP individuals and court staff or providers of court-ordered services:

• Independent interpreter contractors;
• Bilingual employees for in-person customer service or over the telephone;
• Bilingual volunteers;
• "I Speak" cards, to identify the individual’s primary language;
• Multilingual signage throughout courthouse at customer service window and public lobby in the following languages: English and Spanish;
• Telephonic interpreter services, i.e. Language Line and,
• Community Justice Partner’s communication to ensure the service needs of customers is being met including treatment services, victim advocate services, and for court-ordered treatment services.

To provide linguistically accessible services for LEP individuals, the Green Valley Justice Court provides the following:

• Bilingual customer service assistance, telephonic language assistance,
• Website link from court’s website to the Supreme Court’s Spanish translated webpage for court forms and instructions and other language access related resources such as the Courts LAP and Complaint Form and process are available online.

? Internal Glossary of terms commonly used in the court as quick reference for staff

C. Court Appointed or Supervised Personnel

The Green Valley Justice Court ensures that court appointed or supervised personnel, including contract providers provide language services, including interpreters, as part of their service delivery system to LEP individuals.

D. Translated Forms and Documents

The Arizona courts understand the importance of translating forms and documents so that LEP individuals have greater access to the courts’ services. The Green Valley Justice Court continuously reviews and identifies forms to be translated to better assist our customers. The following forms have been translated into the Spanish language:

The court has translated various documents into the Spanish language:
• FARE Collections Customer Payment Flyer
• Public Records Request
• LEP Complaint
• Community Restitution Requirements
• Insurance Violation Information Sheet
• Bond Card

These documents are located at the Green Valley Justice Court building located at 601 N. La Cañada Drive, Green Valley, Arizona 85614.

Interpreters at court hearings are expected to provide sight translations of court documents and correspondence associated with the case.

E. Website/Online Access

The Green Valley Justice Court provides access to a variety of forms on its webpage and also directs users to the Arizona Supreme Court’s Spanish-translated webpage at the links below: .

http://www.azcourts.gov/elcentrodeautoservicio/FormulariosdeAutoservicio.aspx

http://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Home.aspx

A notice about the availability of language services written in Spanish and posted on the Court’s home page.

IV. Court Staff and Volunteer Recruitment

A. Recruitment of Bilingual Staff for Language Access

The Green Valley Justice Court is an equal opportunity employer and recruits and hires bilingual staff to serve its LEP constituents. Primary examples include but are not limited to:
• Regular interpreter contractors of the court.
• Bilingual staff to serve at public counters and;
• Bilingual staff to direct LEP individuals through security and assist in directing LEP individuals to the hearing location or customer service window.
• Bilingual staff available on call to assist with contacts from LEP individuals, as needed.

B. Recruitment of Volunteers for Language Access

The court also recruits and uses volunteers to assist with language access in the following areas:
• Bailiffs in the courtroom setting ensure LEP individuals are directed and understand the court process at the time of the hearing and after the hearing has concluded.

V. Judicial and Staff Training

The Green Valley Justice Court is committed to providing language access training opportunities for all judicial officers and staff members. Training and learning opportunities currently offered will be expanded or continued as needed. Training materials are also available on the AOC web page www.lep.gov. Those opportunities include:
• Diversity Training;
• LAP training;
• New employee orientation training;
• Judicial officer orientation on the use of court interpreters and language competency; and
• AOC’s Language Access in the Courtroom Training DVD
• AOC’S Language Access Online Training Videos
• Staff attendance in Spanish training, provided by the court in partnership with local

colleges and institutions to offer these classes on site and free to employees on court time, or through training available in surrounding jurisdictions;

VI. Public Outreach and Education

To communicate with the court’s LEP constituents on various legal issues of importance to the community and to make them aware of services available to all language speakers, the Green Valley Justice Court provides community outreach and education and seeks input from its LEP constituency to further improve services. Outreach and education efforts include:
• Partnerships and collaborations with Community Justice Partners,
• Social Service Agencies,
• Victim Advocates,
• Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers; and
• Pima County Justice Partners to offer training opportunities and to provide a court presence in the LEP community.

The court will solicit input from the LEP community and its representatives through regular meetings and will seek to inform community service organizations on how LEP individuals can access court services.

VII. Formal Complaint Process

If an LEP court customer believes meaningful access to the courts was not provided to them, they may choose to file a complaint with the trial court’s Language Access Plan Coordinators, Elvia Cariño or Reyes Leticia Blanco, in person or by calling the court at (520) 648-0658. The Court will develop provides a complaint process that includes at a minimum, the following information:
• Indicate the Court will respond to any complaints within 30 days and the records will be maintained as public records.
• Indicate how to file a complaint and to whom the complaint should be directed.
• Ensure that translated versions of the complaint form are available in multiple locations, including but not limited to:
  • Forms posted on the court’s website and
  • Hard copy forms available at the counters

The Green Valley Justice Court has the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) complaint forms in English and Spanish.

VIII. Public Notification and Evaluation of LAP

A. LAP Approval and Notification

The Green Valley Justice Court’s LAP is approved by the presiding judge and court executive officer. Upon approval, please forward a copy is forwarded to the AOC Court Services Division. Any revisions to the plan will be submitted to the presiding judge and court executive officer for approval, and then forwarded to the AOC. Copies of Green Valley Justice Court’s LAP will be provided to the public on request and will be available on the Courts webpage once it is activated. The LAP is also available in Spanish.

B. Evaluation of the LAP

The Green Valley Justice Court will routinely assess whether changes to the LAP are needed. The plan may be changed or updated at any time but reviewed not less frequently than once a year.

Every year the court’s Court Administrator and Supervisor will review the effectiveness of the court’s LAP and update it as necessary. The evaluation will include identification of any problem areas and development of corrective action strategies. From time to time, the court may consider using a survey sampling of data collection for a limited time perior which involves assessing language access requests to assist in the evaluation of the LAP.

Elements of the evaluation will include:
• Number of LEP persons requesting court interpreters or language assistance;
• Assessment of current language needs to determine if additional services or translated materials should be provided;
• Solicitation and review of feedback from LEP communities within the county;
• Assessment of whether court staff adequately understand LEP policies and procedures and how to carry them out;
• Review of feedback from court employee training sessions;
• Customer satisfaction feedback as indicated on the access and fairness survey. If administered by the Court during this time period; and,
• Review any language access complaints received during this time period.

C. Trial Court Language Access Plan Coordinators:

Elvia Cariño, Court Administrator

(520)648-0658

Reyes L. Blanco, Court Supervisor

(520)648-0658

D. AOC Language Access Contact:

Amy Wood

Court Services Division Administrative Office of the Courts 1501 W. Washington Street, Suite 410 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 452-3337, awood@courts.az.gov

E. LAP Effective date: October 22, 2015

F. Approved by: Lisa R. Royal

Upon entering the courthouse, you are required to observe the following standards:

• No weapons of any kind may be allowed in the court building pursuant to A.R.S 13-3102A (10). This includes guns, knives, chains, mace and baton.  Other items such as tools, kitchen utensils, nail files, key holders, and scissors may also be restricted. Violation of this statute is a class one misdemeanor and you will be subjected to criminal prosecution.
• You will be subjected to pass through a metal detector. ALL bags will be removed and processed through an X-Ray machine.  To avoid detection of any sort, please follow the standards set in Rule #1 by removing these items from your person before entering the courthouse. A hand held wand will also be utilized to aid in the search for metal objects.
• Food, drinks or chewing gum are not allowed in the courthouse.  Please dispose of such items prior to entering the courthouse.  Court Security will NOT be allowed to harbor any such items at their security vestibule.
• Please wear suitable clothing.  While clothing need not be formal, no one will be allowed in the courthouse without shoes or a shirt.  T-shirts with offensive slogans or pictures are also not allowed.  Hats or dark sunglasses must be removed before entering the courtroom.
• All cell phones, pagers, or other electronic devices are to be shut off prior to entering the courtroom.
• Please sit quietly when court is in session.  Court proceedings are being recorded and background conversations can interfere with the audio taping of that record.
• When your name is called, you will have a seat at the table to the left.  Never approach the bench unless the Judge has directed you to do so.  Do not attempt to speak to the Judge or Hearing Officer from the audience.
• No children will be allowed in the courtroom without prior authorization. 

Judge Raymond Carroll has spent much of his adult life serving the Pima County community.

In 1997, Mr. Carroll was appointed District 4 Supervisor by the 5-member Pima County Board of Supervisors. Serving as a Republican, he was elected to the position in 1998. Subsequently, he was re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012.

After five terms on the county legislative body, he had established a firm reputation among his constituents for advocating open, transparent county decision-making. Ray chose to retire from the Board in 2017.

Green Valley, one of Arizona's largest retirement communities, with more than 32,000 senior residents, is located in Mr. Carroll's former District. He has always been a strong supporter of seniors' rights at the local, state and national levels, particularly in regard for those senior citizens on fixed incomes. After his retirement in January 2017 Ray re-entered service in October 2017 as the Presiding Judge in Pima County Justice Court Precinct 7 which is situated in Green Valley and includes the Town of Sahuarita and communities of Corona de Tucson, Amado, Arivaca and Sasabe. Elected to a four year term in 2018, Judge Carroll has made the transition from the  Legislative branch to the Judicial branch of government. He was also certified by the Arizona Supreme Court. 

Judge Carroll has been the recipient of many prestigious awards over the years. Some of the more prominent accolades include: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Outstanding Achievement Award for Public Service, the Hero of the Taxpayer Award, the Sky Island Alliance Award for Public Service, the Governor Howard Pyle Award, for political leadership in southern Arizona, and the Tikkun Olam (Repair the World) Award for lifetime community service, lifetime member of County Executives of America for outstanding service to the people of the United States. 

Born in Chicago, Illinois Ray heeded the advice of Horace Greeley and became a Westerner in 1980 when he moved to Denver, Colorado and entered Regis University. He graduated with honors, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. He then moved to Tucson. Prior to his service on the Board of Supervisors and Justice of the Peace, Mr. Carroll was Foundation Manager for Casa de los Niños. He also served as Chairman on the City of Tucson's Housing Board.

Judge Carroll and his wife, Ann live in Green Valley Arizona. They have three grown children, one grandchild, and two dogs. 

Justice of the Peace Charles Lundstead 1983 - 1989

Charles Lundstead was appointed in 1983 and was the first judge to serve on the bench. Judge Lundstead retired after serving six years.

Justice of the Peace Howard R. Nordeck 1990-1998

Howard R. Nordeck was appointed for the next two years. In 1990 Judge Nordeck was elected for an additional eight years. In 1997 an inter-government agreement was signed by Pima County/Green Valley Justice Court and the Town of Sahuarita to manage the Sahuarita Municipal Court. Hon. Howard R. Nordeck retired in 1998.

Justice of the Peace Charles Shipmen 1998-2002

Charles Shipmen was elected for the next four year term. In 2000, the inter-governmental was terminated by Pima County/Green Valley Justice Court and the Town of Sahuarita who opened their own Sahuarita Municipal Court with the appointment of Magistrate James Angiulo.

Justice of the Peace Gail A. Wight 2003-2012

Gail A. Wight was elected and began serving a four year term in 2003. Hon. Wight was re-elected to serve another four year term beginning 2007 and re-elected again to serve another four year term beginning 2011. Judge Wight retired with two years remaining in her third term. Presiding Judge Lisa R.Royal was appointed in January 2013 to to fill the vacancy for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7.

Justice of the Peace Lisa R. Royal 2013-2017

Judge Royal was initially appointed to a two year term as Justice of the Peace in Green Valley by the Board of Supervisors in January 2013.  In November 2014 she was elected to a four year term. Prior to her appointment she served as the court administrator for the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court in Tucson.  Judge Royal’s career spans 30 years in the field of court administration.  She has served at the Supreme Court, Pima County Superior Court, Juvenile Court and Los Angeles Municipal Court.  Judge Royal received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from the University of Arizona and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.