In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Family Law
Glossaries
| Term | Main definition |
|---|---|
| Joint Legal Decision Making | Means both parents share decision making and the rights or responsibilities of either parent are superior except with respect to specified decisions as set forth by the court or the parents in the final judgment or order. |
| Judge | The official who is dealing with a given case on a given day. |
| Judge Pro Tempore | A person assigned to perform the duties of a judge on a temporary basis. |
| Judgment | The official decision by a court about the rights and claims of the person to a civil or criminal lawsuit. |
| Judicial Performance Review | The process as required by the Arizona Constitution to periodically review the performance of judges appointed by the governor. |
| Jurisdiction | The power or authority of the court to act. The court must have jurisdiction over the subject matter or geographic area of the proceeding and the person against whom relief is sought. |
| Jury Commissioner | Court officer who ensures that potential jurors are available to serve when needed by the courts. |