Arizona Supreme Court Justice Gould announces retirement

PHOENIX — Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew W. Gould informed Gov. Doug Ducey in a letter Friday that he will retire from the bench effective April 1.

Gould has served on the state Supreme Court since 2017 and has spent more than 20 years as a judge and justice.

Arizona’s appellate nominating commission has 60 days from the date of the vacancy to screen candidates.

Ducey then has an additional 60 days to screen selected candidates before making an appointment to replace Gould.

“The court congratulates Justice Gould on his retirement from the court,” Chief Justice Robert Brutinel said in a press release. “For more than twenty years he has been an outstanding trial judge, appellate judge and justice.

“The court has benefited from his wisdom, work ethic, collegiality and his commitment to the rule of law. He will be missed by his colleagues on the court and we wish him the best in his retirement.”

Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, Gould served on the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, as a trial judge in Yuma County.

He called his experience on the bench “a rich and rewarding experience” in his letter to Ducey.

“Gould’s integrity, wide range of professional experience and commitment to helping Arizonans made him an excellent fit for the Arizona Supreme Court,” Ducey said. “He served our state well, and I am grateful for his nearly five years on the Arizona Supreme Court as well as his more than 20 years of service to the State of Arizona.”

There are seven justices on the Arizona Supreme Court and each serve six-year terms.

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