Moon Valley precinct justice of the peace election 2024: Meet the candidates

Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Deborah Begay's party affiliation. She is a Democrat.

In the Moon Valley Justice Court precinct, two Democrats and a Republican are running for justice of the peace.

Democrat Mireya Arroyo, a human resources professional, is competing against Democratic incumbent Deborah Begay and Republican Michael Irish to take control of the justice seat.

Arroyo specializes in navigating insurance claims and military leave, as well as retirement planning and first-responder assistance within the public sector, according to her campaign website.

Begay was sworn into office as Moon Valley justice of the peace in 2021 and was the first Native American justice of the peace in Maricopa County. Prior to taking office, she worked as a tribal policy specialist for the Arizona Department of Education.

Irish, a business and real estate attorney, founded his own practice, iLaw, PLLC, in 2018.

Maricopa County has 26 justice courts, each with one justice of the peace. Candidates do not need to be attorneys or have specific education. Among their duties, justices of the peace have oversight of cases about traffic infractions and evictions, civil suits up to $10,000 and protective orders.

Early voting began on July 3. Voters who cast their ballots by mail are advised to do so by July 23, and those who choose to submit their ballots in person can drop them off at a ballot drop-off or voting location by July 30.

The Arizona Republic asked the three candidates to answer questions about their approach to the office if elected. Here's what they had to say, in alphabetical order. Responses have been edited for clarity and abridged.

Why do you want this job?

Mireya Arroyo: I am running for this position because our Moon Valley Court needs critical change. Our community has been one of the hardest hit by the homelessness crisis. As many of you know, the Justice Court handles evictions, and currently, people being evicted are left without access to essential resources provided by local nonprofits and state agencies. My goal is to change that.I want to ensure that those going through the eviction process are given the resources and tools they need to avoid ending up on the street, keeping our community safe for everyone. Voters should also know that I personally went through the eviction process early in the pandemic. As a single mom with two boys, I lost my job and faced the fear, embarrassment and confusion of not understanding why nothing was being done to help us. Thankfully, I managed to recover, but many others did not.I want this position to ensure our community has a champion who not only follows the law but does so with compassion. This is our community, and we need to take care of it.

Deborah Begay: I want to be justice of the peace because I have been in public service my whole life. First, as a missionary with my church. Second, serving my country in the Navy. And, third, being a peacemaker in my community. I am legally trained to be a judge. I have been a director of a homeless project during law school. I know personally the hardships that a lot of our citizens go through who are unable to make ends meet. I think the law can be used a bridge rather than as a cut off point for many. I have been helped by so many community members my entire life, and this is my effort to give back for what was given to me. I am good at what I do. I understand the folks that come into my court. I meet them where they are at and they know this. I have made incredible changes in people's lives by waiving large fines or allowing community service. Folks are really struggling right now, and the Justice Court is, many times, their only association with the courts. I want it to be a positive and safe place where they feel heard and some healing can be addressed.

Michael Irish: As the only candidate from Moon Valley, and being an MV resident my entire life (minus 4 years at the University of Arizona), no candidate is more familiar with or better suited to represent the community. I have always been fair and impartial, and able to make decisions from a neutral point of view.

Practicing law since 2011, I have represented clients in both the Justice and Superior Courts of Arizona. These cases give me additional experience that the other candidates simply do not have, and cannot obtain before this election. After 13 years, I've come to the point in my career where I am ready to sit behind the bench, with an open mind, consistent with what the judiciary requires.

Why do you think you are the most qualified candidate for this position?

Arroyo: The court handles a variety of cases, including marriages, small claims under $10K, evictions, traffic violations, and more. Currently, the majority of justices in the county are not attorneys; they come from diverse backgrounds, such as teaching, law enforcement, real estate and even rodeo. This judicial position is designed to be closest to the community, which is why it doesn't require a law degree, unlike the Superior Court.

I want to emphasize that I have been in human resources for the past 20 years, working closely with legal departments throughout my career. My role involves much more than managing onboarding paperwork or ensuring timely payments. It's about implementing new policies and state statutes correctly within our departments, interpreting laws, and adjusting our practices to comply with legal requirements.

Having personally gone through the eviction process, I understand the importance of making rulings with compassion while adhering to the law. My experience working closely with legal teams has equipped me with the knowledge needed to ensure compliance with state laws, policy changes and court interpretations.

I believe I am highly qualified for this position, bringing a unique perspective as a mom, someone who has faced eviction, and someone experienced in navigating the legal confines of state statutes. I am committed to serving our community with integrity, transparency and dedication.

Begay: Honestly, I am over-educated for this position. I have a JD from Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. A BA degree from UC Berkeley. I was accepted into Oxford's Public Policy program but chose to adopt my second child from Navajo Nation rather than relocate to London for a year. An Emerge graduate, class of 2016. An Indigenous Leadership Academy graduate, class of 2023. Currently, a Flinn-Brown Fellow. However, I believe the most educated and most experienced public servant is the best for any position they seek. I know the legal ropes. Because of that, I will ensure that no one gets tied up in the system over nonsense or for not following through. Police are now citing people without homes with "loitering." These folks have no homes, no jobs and now a possible warrant for their arrest if they don't pay their fine. The system needs an educated servant to help the uneducated navigate it. I have daily contact with folks who come into my court and not once has one of them left my presence dissatisfied. I make a strong effort to have a personal connection with each person who comes into my court. I have great relationships with my staff and regularly reward them for their hard work. In truth, my staff are who allow me to be who I am. They do all the back end; I just get the joy of meeting with my community. My experience includes working for the White House, owning my own consulting business, serving as a tribal public policy liaison for the 22 tribes in Arizona with the Department of Education, 18-plus years as a veteran, a localization software project manager for over 10 years where I interacted with cultures all over the world, directing a homeless legal assistance project, co-editing the manual used for Navajo Nation's Peacemaking court, working for Navajo Nation's Department of Justice, raising three amazing children while working full time and running for public office (this is my second go-round), published author, public speaker advocating for sovereignty, voting rights, LGBTQ+ issues, halfway through earning a ministerial degree. For me personally, this is not just a job, it is a calling. I believe the Holy Ones set this path out for me; I am just walking it.

Irish: I am the most qualified candidate as I am the only licensed attorney running for this judicial position. In all other Arizona courts, a judge is required to be a licensed attorney, residing in Arizona for the previous five years of practice and 30-plus years of age.

Despite the Justice Court being at the lowest level (the main requirements of a candidate are 18-plus years of age and the ability to read and write English), these additional qualifications should not be overlooked. The last thing a party wants is an attorney in court making arguments in front of a non-lawyer judge who doesn't understand the argument itself and/or the court rules/procedure, and based on that lack of legal education, training or experience, makes a decision inconsistent with the law.

Practicing law is extremely complex, thus why lawyers are regulated. Law school is a three-year endeavor, followed by multiple licensing exams and after passing, being vetted and approved by the state bar, which cannot be replicated in six weeks of training given to justices of the peace.

I am the only candidate that meets the above qualifications.

What qualities do you think make a strong foundation for a Justice Court?

Arroyo: The qualities essential for all justices to build a strong foundation for the court are integrity, transparency and a genuine desire to serve. I firmly believe that local positions are the most crucial to our communities. We need individuals in these roles dedicated to being an integral part of the community, not just showing up every four years for votes.

I've personally knocked on over 20,000 doors, connecting with residents and understanding their concerns. Those who have pledged their support know that I’ve experienced the eviction process, built a fence around my yard after a couple of break-in attempts, and am running because I truly care about our community.

Begay: In essence, a Justice Court should be strong on customer service. We're a standalone court that was created to meet the people. A good balance of knowledge, kindness and customer support make the best Justice Court. My job is to make the best ruling according to the statutes in place and the legal rules. I also have to take in consideration what other alternatives are available, such as waiving fines, quashing unnecessary warrants, allowing community service when the fine is egregious, continuing cases until the defendant can consult community legal services, limiting late fees for renters, and so forth. The judge is at the center of the Justice Court. If the judge is equipped with knowledge, confidence, kindness and a sense of fairness, then others will follow suit. That has been my experience. I tell my staff all of the time, we are to be the best customer service court possible. We don't show up late, we have the files, we know the names and we know what the options available are. Order is another character of a strong court. I don't let anything get chaotic in my court. When I do orders of protection, folks can get very upset. I usually have a security guard in my court so both parties know they are safe. A judge who can relate to the community members is a necessary part of any strong foundation for a Justice Court.

Irish: Whether it is a Justice, Superior, Appeals or the State Supreme Court, all courts of law should represent the judiciary in the same capacity with fairness, impartiality, neutrality, while having the proper legal training, experience, and education.

What do you think of the eviction process in Maricopa County?

Arroyo: I believe we need reforms that ensure all parties involved get what they deserve, especially in protecting those facing eviction from ending up on the streets. My concern is heightened by the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, which decided that the U.S. Constitution does not protect people from cruel and unusual punishment for sleeping outside. This could lead to a situation where those evicted from their homes could be arrested shortly after they leave.

Families, veterans, and single moms like myself could be arrested for having nowhere to go and sleeping in public spaces. This will only perpetuate a cycle of poverty and criminalize those in our community who need support, not punishment.

I believe we can work with the courts to ensure our taxpayer dollars, already allocated to help the homeless, are targeted toward those facing eviction. By doing so, we can provide shelters, Section 8 housing, or even motel stays for the night. This approach will keep people off the streets, prevent unnecessary arrests, and maintain the safety and stability of our communities, particularly for the children affected by these circumstances.

This is what matters, and this is what I will fight for.

Begay: I think the eviction process could be better. No doubt. The majority of defendants who come into my court are not legally represented, yet the landlords are. When the landlords are not legally represented, it is a fair hearing, in my view. The scales of justice are not equal when one party is lawyered up and the other party is not. Even though the handbook for both tenant and landlord is available online, the writing is in legal jargon. Too bad Howard Zinn isn't alive, he could write a "People's History of the Eviction Process" for the layman. It's clear to me that a lot of the rentals are not being kept in good shape. For hot summer months, the AC going out can mean life or death for some folks. Seems when tenants complain, then the eviction process starts. There should be a third party who serves as an oversight to make sure the rentals are being kept up, hot water working, ACs maintained, common areas cleaned, parking available, etc., and it should not always fall on the tenant to cover these expenses because most tenants are living paycheck to paycheck. I also think there should be limits on what landlords can charge for late fees, concessions and attorney fees. In an ideal world, there would be monthly meetings between landlords and tenants to make sure both parties are on the same page. A lot of the tenants who come in for eviction are in the dark about why and how the eviction process started or why the landlord won't take their calls after delivering the 10-day notice. In my next four years, I will work on getting a Homeless Court set up in my building. I will encourage more public outreach to educate folks without homes.

Irish: The court’s job is to enforce the law as written, not legislate from the bench. As stated within the Arizona Revised Statutes, and as provided by the Arizona State Legislature, eviction is a process typically stemming from a breach of contract (lease). The court should analyze and interpret the rules on a case-by-case basis and based on the facts and evidence, make a ruling consistent with what the Legislature intended.

Reach the reporter at christina.avery@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Moon Valley precinct justice of the peace election 2024: Meet the candidates