--- title: "James Drake | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-drake-maricopa-566" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James Drake Superior Court in Maricopa County · Superior Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Superior Court in Maricopa County - State: Arizona - Role: Superior Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile. ## Biography ### Professional career - Past role: Family Court judge (2021–2025) - 1995–1996: Law clerk to the Arizona Attorney General ### Education - California Western School of Law — J.D. (1996) - University of Arizona — B.A. (1988) ### Additional information - Term: Ends January 1, 2029 - 2024 retention election: Re-elected with 73.3% of the vote - Appointed: October 1, 2021, by Governor Doug Ducey to replace Roger Brodman - 2015–2021: Chief Clerk and Counsel, Arizona House of Representatives - 2009–2015: Assistant Secretary of State - 1996–2009: Various positions in the Arizona House of Representatives, including Rules Attorney (1999–2009), Judiciary Committee analyst (1997–1999), and Banking & Insurance Committee analyst (1996–1997) - Current assignment: Criminal Department, Maricopa County Superior Court - Judge James Drake is a nonpartisan judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona, currently serving in the Criminal Department and having previously presided in Family Court, with a career in state government and legal service. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### judge specific protocol Scope: judge specific James Drake has a published Maricopa protocol and practice page; review it for judge-specific courtroom and presentation requirements before appearing. Evidence excerpt: Protocol and Practice [Protocol and Practice page for James Drake](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/profile.asp?jdgID=566&jdgUSID=16134) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### judge protocol directory Scope: courtwide Maricopa County publishes judge and judicial-officer protocol links from its official judicial-officer directory; check the assigned officer's protocol page before hearings or trial presentation planning. Evidence excerpt: Protocol [Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Officers](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/index.asp?title=0) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### digital evidence portal Scope: statewide Arizona's digital-evidence portal supports invited parties in participating courts to upload, review, manage, and share case exhibits for virtual or in-person hearings. Evidence excerpt: The digital evidence portal provides convenient 24/7 online access to upload, review, and manage exhibits in a case to which a party has been invited. [Arizona Digital Evidence](https://www.azcourts.gov/digitalevidence) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote hearing local orders Scope: statewide Arizona requires each Superior, Justice, and Municipal Court to issue a local remote-hearing administrative order. The applicable county or court order controls scheduling and technology requirements. Evidence excerpt: The Arizona Supreme Court also mandated that each Superior, Justice, and Municipal Court issue a local administrative order based on these recommendations, with modifications as necessary due to technology or staffing limitations. [Local Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings](https://www.azcourts.gov/courtservices/Court-Services-Home/Local-Administrative-Orders-Regarding-Virtual-Hearings) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote appearances and evidence Scope: statewide Arizona remote appearances depend on the assigned judge and court. Parties should provide the court with evidence, documents, photos, or proof needed for the remote hearing using the court's directions. Evidence excerpt: Depending on the judge and court, hearings can be scheduled as in person or remote appearances. [Remote Court Appearances](https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Resources/Remote-Court-Appearances) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=566&jdgUSID=16134) - [Official roster](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=566&jdgUSID=16134) - [Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County official judicial roster](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=566&jdgUSID=16134) - [Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Officers](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/index.asp?title=0) - [Protocol and Practice page for James Drake](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/profile.asp?jdgID=566&jdgUSID=16134) - [Arizona Digital Evidence](https://www.azcourts.gov/digitalevidence) - [Local Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings](https://www.azcourts.gov/courtservices/Court-Services-Home/Local-Administrative-Orders-Regarding-Virtual-Hearings) - [Remote Court Appearances](https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Resources/Remote-Court-Appearances) - [Official biography source for James Drake](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=566&jdgUSID=16134) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-drake-maricopa-566", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-drake-maricopa-566", "name": "James Drake | KnowJudges", "description": "James Drake, Superior Court in Maricopa County. 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Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.azcourts.gov/courtservices/Court-Services-Home/Local-Administrative-Orders-Regarding-Virtual-Hearings). Collected 2026-07-26.