Hon. Deborah Begay

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Deborah earned a bachelor's degree in Native American history from the University of California at Berkeley and a law degree from Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law, specializing in Federal Indian Law. She lives in Phoenix with her family.

Deborah is a veteran who served in the United States Naval Reserves for nearly 18 years. She worked for the Arizona Department of Education, Policy & Government Relations as a tribal policy specialist prior to her election as judge. She has previously worked as the owner of Sisnaajini Consulting and as a law clerk.

Deborah Ann Begay currently serves as Justice of the Peace in Maricopa County. She was elected in 2020 and has served 1 term.

As a law clerk, conducted research on uranium mining in the Navajo Nation.

- As a law clerk, conducted research on uranium mining in the Navajo Nation.

Legal Experience

Candidate website

Believes justice should be "a balm to heal both parties in a conflict" and must be adaptable and personal, addressing individual and community needs.

- Believes justice should be "a balm to heal both parties in a conflict" and must be adaptable and personal, addressing individual and community needs.

Judicial Philosophy

Believes in creating a more equitable justice system by reducing case backlogs and fines, favoring community service, and enhancing neighborhood safety. As Justice of the Peace, worked to deliver these solutions for the community.

Believes in creating a more equitable justice system by reducing case backlogs and fines, favoring community service, and enhancing neighborhood safety.

Believes in balancing justice by limiting eviction-related fees and helping tenants find rent payment resources.

The candidate's website says, "Judge Begay keeps our community and neighbors safe by issuing orders of protection, tackling domestic violence cases, and working to stop criminal harassment. Judge Begay engages in open communication with all parties and works hard to deliver a just ruling in each case."

As Justice of the Peace, reduced fines by allowing community service and set hearings before issuing warrants to ensure fair court proceedings.

- Believes in creating a more equitable justice system by reducing case backlogs and fines, favoring community service, and enhancing neighborhood safety.
- Believes in balancing justice by limiting eviction-related fees and helping tenants find rent payment resources.
- The candidate's website says, "Judge Begay keeps our community and neighbors safe by issuing orders of protection, tackling domestic violence cases, and working to stop criminal harassment. Judge Begay engages in open communication with all parties and works hard to deliver a just ruling in each case."
- As Justice of the Peace, reduced fines by allowing community service and set hearings before issuing warrants to ensure fair court proceedings.

Judicial Administration

As of June 27, 2024, Deborah Ann Begay’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Believes in fostering "respect, community, and service" through active volunteer work and participation in local organizations. Supports community involvement as a means to strengthen communal bonds and provide essential services.

Believes in fostering "respect, community, and service" through active volunteer work and participation in local organizations.

- Believes in fostering "respect, community, and service" through active volunteer work and participation in local organizations.

Community Involvement

Endorsed by the National Organization for Women Arizona, the Victory Institute, State Senator Theresa Hatathlie, and former State Senator Raquel Terán.

- Endorsed by the National Organization for Women Arizona, the Victory Institute, State Senator Theresa Hatathlie, and former State Senator Raquel Terán.

Endorsements

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Deborah Ann Begay

Deborah earned a bachelor's degree in Native American History from the University of California at Berkeley and a law degree from Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law, specializing in Federal Indian Law. She lives in Phoenix with her family.

Deborah is a veteran who serves in the United States Naval Reserves, having served for nearly 18 years. She worked for the Arizona Department of Education, Policy & Government Relations as a tribal policy specialist prior to her election as judge. She has previously worked as the owner of Sisnaajini Consulting and as a law clerk,

Deborah Ann Begay currently serves as Justice of the Peace in Maricopa County. She was elected in 2020 and has served one term.

Believes in creating a more equitable justice system by reducing case backlogs, decreasing fines, and promoting community service. As a judge of the peace, worked to keep communities safe.

As Jueza de la Paz, reduced fines by allowing community service and scheduled hearings before issuing warrants to ensure fair court proceedings and public safety.

Believes in balancing justice by managing court fees and providing resources for rent assistance. As a judge, capped eviction-related fees to help those facing rising costs and evictions.

Believes in maintaining community safety by issuing protection orders, addressing domestic violence cases, and preventing criminal harassment. Supports open communication and fair rulings in judicial administration.

- Believes in creating a more equitable justice system by reducing case backlogs and fines, favoring community service, and enhancing neighborhood safety.
- As Justice of the Peace, reduced fines by allowing community service and set hearings before issuing warrants to ensure fair court proceedings.
- Believes in balancing justice by limiting eviction-related fees and helping tenants find rent payment resources.
- The candidate's website says, "Judge Begay keeps our community and neighbors safe by issuing orders of protection, tackling domestic violence cases, and working to stop criminal harassment. Judge Begay engages in open communication with all parties and works hard to deliver a just ruling in each case."

Believes community involvement can make a significant impact through volunteer work and local organizations. Encourages volunteering in various ways, such as door-to-door efforts and hosting fundraising events.

Believes in supporting community involvement through volunteer work, community service, and local organizations. Plans to continue serving and learning from the community.

Deborah Ann Begay is the only child of a single mother and has three children of her own. She received her BA in Native American History from UC Berkeley and graduated from ASU’s Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law, specializing in Federal Indian Law. She has been a Phoenix resident for over a dozen years. There is no information available about the church she attends.

Deborah Ann Begay is a veteran who serves in the United States Naval Reserves, with an upcoming 18th anniversary of service. She holds a BA in Native American History from UC Berkeley and a law degree from ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law, specializing in Federal Indian Law. She has been elected to serve as Justice of the Peace.

Deborah Ann Begay was voted in to serve as Justice of the Peace. She is currently running for re-election.

- The justice of the peace presides over justice courts in each county. The number of justice courts in a county depends on its population. 
- A justice of the peace hears lawsuits, presides over misdemeanor cases, and hears civil and criminal traffic violations. Some examples of cases they might handle include eviction actions, DUIs (driving under the influence), and shoplifting. 
- Justices of the peace are elected in staggered elections for four-year terms. These elections are partisan. 
- Their salary depends on their judicial productivity, in other words, how many cases they see each year and equals, on average, $115,290.
- Some justices of the peace may be an attorney, but this is not a requirement for the role. 