By executive order, Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Brutinell effectively divided the Gila County jury pool, created by Gila County Superior Court Justices Timothy Wright and Brian Chambers, into Gila County. Approved a proposal that would eliminate the need for Northerners to travel to Grove for a jury. Duty and South Gila County residents are no longer required to travel to Payson for jury duty.

Justices Wright and Chambers introduced the proposal to the Arizona Judiciary Council in Phoenix in December. A council, of which Justice Wright is also a member, voted to recommend approval of the plan by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. On January 12, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court issued Executive Order 2023-05 approving the plan.

According to the executive order, the plan will go into effect on February 1, 2023 for all civil cases. It will take effect on February 1, 2023 for jury trials of crimes allegedly committed on or after February 1, 2023. This means that the plan will not be fully implemented until the existing criminal case is resolved.

“Jury services have been an integral part of our justice system for hundreds of years, dating back to England and Magna Charter. Without it, jury services should be generally available,” said Chambers.

“This is a big step forward in helping more citizens work as jurors safely, conveniently and closer to home,” said Judge Wright.

The executive order authorizes the plan for five years and directs the presiding judge to report to the Arizona Judiciary Council on the effectiveness of the plan in March 2025.