Hon. Charlene
Pesquiera

About the Judge

Judge Charlene Pesquiera is a Tucson native serving her community for over 30 -years. She has dedicated herself to helping individuals with substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. Judge Pesquiera was also co-owner of the National Institute of Contract Management LLC, where she specialized in contract management for businesses and nonprofits. Charlene was a Criminal Justice Adjunct Professor, instructing Criminal Justice courses. Judge Pesquiera is also a fifteen-time marathon runner. Since 2017, Judge Pesquiera has served as a Justice of the Peace for Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, Precinct Four. She received a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, received a pre-law and criminal justice degree from Prescott College and received an associate degree in criminal justice and corrections from Pima Community College.

• In January of 2023, Judge Pesquiera was elected by her colleagues to serve as Presiding Judge of Pima County Justice Court.
• Was appointed as Chief Administrative Judge by the Honorable Kyle Bryson and served in 2020.
• Presided over Homeless Court since 2017.
• Served as Arizona State Senator in 2007 to 2009 where she proudly passed successful pieces of legislation to protect our State.

Since Judge Pesquiera has served as elected Justice of the Peace, she implemented an online program so that individuals can have their criminal convictions set aside without legal representation or cost. This was a measure to access justice and was supported by the former Chief Justice Scott Bales of the Arizona Supreme Court. In 2017, Judge Pesquiera organized and implemented Homeless Court that includes community stakeholders. This is a diversion court so that individuals can receive long term services until they are successfully independent and in compliance with their court mandates.

In 2019, Judge Pesquiera partnered with Tucson Unified School District with the purpose of educating youth about misdemeanor court and facilitated mock trials for youth interested in a career in the criminal justice system.

In 2023, Judge Pesquiera implemented a Judge (pro tempore) hiring process for the first time to create transparency so that a fair and robust hiring process exists for anyone interested in working with the courts. She formed a hiring committee and launched a process approved by the Presiding Judge of Superior Court. As Presiding Judge, she manages the Green Valley and Ajo Rural courts. She has supported and advocated for resources, such as Arizona’s first DUI Specialty Court implemented by the Green Valley Court.

Judge Pesquiera serves on various boards for her community that includes:

• Serves as a Board Member for the Parent Student Prison Initiative

Boards Served:

• Board Member for the Justice of the Peace Association
• The City of Tucson City Homeless Court Coalition Committee
• Board Member for the Tucson Mountains Association
• Board Member for Dancing in the Street AZ (Youth Ballet)
• Board Member for the Primavera Foundation