Judge Stephen Umpleby just bagged the top spot at Mesa Municipal Court, being sworn in as the new Presiding City Magistrate. Mesa City Council greenlit Umpleby's appointment during their April 15 council meeting, in a move that Mayor John Giles heralded as bringing an "innovative, compassionate" jurist to the helm of what he calls "the best city court in our state."
Umpleby, who has donned the robe as a City Magistrate since 2021, is the brains behind the Domestic Violence Court in Mesa, an initiative designed to slash the repeat-offense rate, which incidentally, is now six times lower than the national average. His tenure, in the past three years also had him handling the usual grind of jury trials, hearings, and depositions, according to the City of Mesa's official announcement.
"It is truly an honor to be a magistrate in Mesa and to be appointed by City Council as Presiding Chief Magistrate," said Umpleby. He pledged to ensure a continued efficient operation of Mesa's courts and uphold the swift, fair delivery of justice.
On his way up the ladder, Judge Umpleby spent time as an Assistant Mesa City Prosecutor and as Deputy Maricopa County Attorney. He holds a bachelor's degree from Weber State University and a JD from Arizona State University. And when the gavel's not in play, Umpleby is reportedly busy being a dad, cheering on his kids at school and sports shindigs, alongside his wife of eighteen years.
Umpleby will be filling the shoes of his predecessor, John Tatz, who has hopped over to a similar role in his own stomping ground of Peoria. Ta
