ABOUT THE JUDGE:

Judge Paul Simon is the elected Justice of the Peace for JP-Precinct #6 which includes central Tucson and northwest Pima County. He has been a full-time Judge in this court since 1997.

In addition to his regular duties, Judge Simon has been active within the Justice Court and statewide in promoting improvements to the judicial system and training of new judges. He created the Judicial Settlement Conference program in Justice Court which has effectively reduced the courts civil caseload saving time, expense and resources to litigants and the court. Judge Simon also serves as faculty for the Arizona Judicial College in training of new judges statewide as well as a Mentor Judge. The following contains more specific information concerning Judge Simon's personal, educational and professional background, achievements in office, and community involvement

PERSONAL:

Judge Simon was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While completing his college studies he has also lived in San Diego, California and Moscow, Idaho. Judge Simon moved to Tucson in 1979 and has been a full-time Tucsonan since 1985. His interests and hobbies include family activities, running, biking, weight lifting, hiking, camping and outdoor activities, movies, reading, and traveling.

EDUCATION:

  • B.A. Psychology University of California, San Diego (1979)
  • M.Ed. University of Arizona (1981)
  • J.D. University of Idaho (1985)

LEGAL EXPERIENCE:

Before becoming a full-time judge, Judge Simon practiced law in Tucson as a trial and appellate attorney for eleven years in civil and criminal law. In 1991 he was certified by the Arizona State Bar as a criminal law specialist. His law practice included representation in all municipal, state and federal courts in southern Arizona.

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:

While a practicing attorney Judge Simon previously served as a Pro Tem (part-time) Judge in several local courts from 1991-1996 including:

  • Tucson City Court
  • Marana Magistrate Court
  • Oro Valley Magistrate Court
  • Pima County Justice Court

ACHIEVEMENTS IN OFFICE:

  1. Created Alternative Dispute Resolution for civil cases in Justice Court and served as the Judicial Settlement Conference assignment judge.
  2. Graduate of the National Judicial College (Reno, Nevada).
  3. Arizona Supreme Court appointed Mentor Judge (New Judge Mentor Program).
  4. Committee and Faculty Member of the Arizona Judicial College New Judge Orientation Program.
  5. Justice Court Pro Tem Judge Selection Committee Chairman.
  6. Judicial College of Arizona Wendell (statewide judicial website) Editorial Advisory Board Member.
  7. Faculty Presenter for:
    • Arizona Supreme Court New Judge Orientation Program
    • Arizona Supreme Court Small Claims Hearing Officer Training
    • Governor's Office of Highway Traffic Safety Annual Seminar
    • Pima County Justice Court Pro Tem Judge Training
  8. Revised case procedure for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases to improve court efficiency in resolving cases in fair and timely manner.
  9. Arizona Territorial Justice Court Forum member Panel of Judges.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Judge Simon has been an active participant as a community volunteer. He has a special interest in children and frequently participates in school programs concerning subjects on the law. Judge Simon has regularly volunteered in the following programs:

  1. University of Arizona Law School Student Mentor
  2. Arizona High School Mock Trial Program Judge
  3. Youth, Drugs & Alcohol Program Speaker
  4. Teens Speak Out Program Volunteer
  5. Pima County Christmas in April Volunteer
  6. Salvation Army Christmas Toy Distribution Volunteer
  7. Tucson Jewish Community Youth Basketball Coach

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Judge Simon can be contacted as follows:

  • telephone: (520) 724-3504

  • email: psimon@jp.pima.gov
  • mail: 115 N. Church Ave Tucson AZ 85701