The Town Council in Marana has voted to end the town’s contract with Presiding Magistrate James West, effective immediately. The council reached the decision at it’s April 29 meeting after evaluating information regarding alleged retaliatory conduct by West against a Marana Municipal Court employee.

Courtesy of Town of Marana

West

According to Marana officials, West suspected the employee of participating in the investigation that led to his reprimand from the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct in February.

“This type of behavior is simply not acceptable  to the town or the Town Council,” said Marana Town Manager Michael Reuwsaat. “The council reappointed the judge in early April based on information about his performance that was available at that time. Had this incident occurred during consideration of his reappointment, it would have been a significant factor in the council’s decision.”

The council will now begin the process of recruiting and selecting a new presiding magistrate. In the meantime, the court will be presided over by the town’s roster of magistrates pro tempore.