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Tucson Region

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1: Republican: Adam Watters

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.05.2008
Name: Adam Watters
Office seeking: Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1
Party registration: Republican
Age: 47
Occupation/employer: Pima Consolidated Justice Court, Pima County
Family: Wife of 18 years, Jill; children Caitlin, 16, Courtland, 14, and Cassandra, 10.
Religion: Christian
Income: $95,000
Residence: Northwest Tucson
Education: Canyon del Oro High School, 1979; University of Arizona, BA 1985; Arizona State University College of Law, Juris Doctorate, 1996.
Offices held/run for: Currently hold the office of Justice of the Peace, Precinct #1.
Civic activities/organizations: Oro Valley Dolphins Youth Football and Spirit organization; Pima County Bar Association; WWII Historic Vehicle Preservation Society of Pima County
Why are you running? I love this job. I am currently the justice of the peace, having been appointed to replace Jim Angiulo earlier this year. For the past 12 years, I appeared in both federal and state court as an attorney representing literally thousands of Tucson residents. And while that was a great experience, which provided me with the chance to genuinely help my clients, I gave it up because my personality and demeanor are best suited to being a full-time judge. When I was appointed earlier this year, I had to close down my law practice of 12 years. It was a big step, but I believed that working as a judge was something I wanted to do because I worked as a pro tem, or part-time, judge at the court for the past seven years. However, working here is even better than I expected. During my years working part- and now full-time as the justice of the peace, I believe I have treated everyone with patience and consideration under the law. Every day as I walk to work, I look up at the domed courthouse and laugh to myself at my good fortune. I wish everyone liked their job as much as I do. I perform my job with pride and humility and wish to continue to do so for as long as the voters see fit to keep me here.
The biggest issue facing my constituents is: Recognizing that driving under the influence is still a tremendous problem in this community. I think people believe this problem is diminishing because the law is tougher and the penalties harsher than ever before. But the fact is this is still a huge problem. We handled over 6,000 DUI cases in this court last year. That is why I have begun work to institute staggered sentencing in my court, which is proven to cut the rate of DUI recidivism by 50 percent.
Favorite local hangout: During football season, local high school football fields on a Friday night, and UA's Arizona Stadium on Saturday. When it's not football season, I am home with my family.
NPR or FOX? Neither
How long have you lived in Arizona? I am a Tucson native.
What kind of vehicle do you drive? What kind of mileage does it get? Pickup truck. 21 mpg.
If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: My wife. We are so busy we rarely have time to go out for dinner together. After 18 years of marriage, she is still my best friend and dinner companion.
If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: I don't think this is an appropriate question to ask a candidate for a judicial office. It's just plain silly.
First job: Delivering newspapers, age 11.
Do you believe justices of the peace should be lawyers?
Yes because the law is much more complex now, than it was when the office of justice of the peace was formed in the territorial days. But that is a different question than whether I believe justices of the peace must be lawyers, because the answer is: obviously not. Bob Gibson, my predecessor in Precinct 1, was not an attorney, yet he was the presiding judge of the court and extremely well-respected.
Do you believe the consolidated court should be dismantled so defendants and litigants are served closer to their homes?
No. Having the court consolidated saves taxpayers a great deal of money. It might be an inconvenience for defendants and litigants, but the savings are well worth it.
Given the sheer number of people who come through our courts, how do you/would you avoid an assembly-line mentality and ensure justice is served?
I have not seen an "assembly-line" mentality at Justice Court. We are the second-busiest court in Arizona (after the Phoenix Municipal Court), yet the judges are all experienced and highly trained. Although our caseloads are high, ensuring that justice is served is simply a matter of taking time with each case and respecting the fact that each case is the most important case in the world to the people involved.
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