---
title: "Kristian Morales | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristian-morales-maricopa-590"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Kristian Morales

Superior Court in Maricopa County · Court Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Superior Court in Maricopa County
- State: Arizona
- Role: Court Commissioner
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- 2023–Present: Commissioner, Maricopa County Superior Court
- 2020–2023: Division of Child Support Services Enforcement (D.E.S.), Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General’s Office
- Kristian M. Morales is a Court Commissioner in the Maricopa County Superior Court, assigned to the Criminal Department, and was appointed in 2022 by
- 2015–2020: Senior Associate, Saldivar & Associates, PLLC
- 2014–2015: Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Kent Cattani, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One

### Education

- Northern Arizona University Criminology — B.S. (2011)
- Northern Arizona University — B.A. (2011)

### Additional information

- Member, Maricopa County Bar Young Lawyers’ Board (since 2018)
- Appointment: 2022, by Governor Doug Ducey
- Location: Phoenix, Maricopa County Superior Court
- As a Commissioner, Morales handles specific assigned cases and uncontested matters within the Criminal Department The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- His work as a Commissioner involves overseeing case assignments, procedural matters, and ensuring compliance with court rules in the Criminal Department The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- Morales has a background in both prosecutorial and judicial roles, including service as an Assistant Attorney General and as a judicial law clerk.

## 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 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=590&jdgUSID=18024)
- [Official roster](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=590&jdgUSID=18024)
- [Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County official judicial roster](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=590&jdgUSID=18024)
- [Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Officers](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/index.asp?title=0)
- [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 Kristian Morales](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=590&jdgUSID=18024)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Local Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7bfe9b727b74710561b957ad) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  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.
