The Surprise City Council has solidified the leadership of the municipal judiciary with the reappointment of two key figures. Presiding Judge Louis Frank Dominguez and Associate Judge Catherine A. Gaudreau are set to continue their roles for another four years starting July 1, after the council confirmed recommendations from the city's Judicial Selection Advisory Commission on Tuesday. Delving back into a history of public service, Judge Dominguez has been at the helm of the Surprise City Court since 2013 and contributed to the Phoenix Municipal Court before that.
In a report by Surprise City News, Judge Dominguez's extensive background includes a tenure as a prosecutor in the City of Phoenix Prosecutor's Office beginning in 1984, along with over 15 years on the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct. Having embraced the roles of educator and ethics advocate, his dedication earned him the Justice Michael D. Ryan Award for Judicial Excellence in 2020.
Meanwhile, Judge Gaudreau, who has presided as an Associate Judge since December 2016, brings a wealth of experience from her time as an Assistant City Prosecutor in Scottsdale and her earlier legal career in civil litigation. Well-established in the legal community, her contributions extend to various Supreme Court committees, focusing on domestic violence and the courts. Engaging with her audience, Judge Gaudreau educates through her writing for local publications and the CIDVC News, a newsletter aiming to inform judicial counterparts and other professionals.
As Surprise City Court adjudicates a sweep of criminal misdemeanors and civil violations, the National Center for State Courts has recognized the court's handling of domestic violence cases, recommending it as a model court. The reappointed judges will continue to independently manage their judicial powers, shaping legal proceedings in the city in alignment with constitutional and state laws and Supreme Court mandates. Presiding Judge Dominguez and Associate Judge Gaudreau, as explained by Surprise City News, are among the six city officials, including the City Manager and City Clerk, appointed by the Council to guide the municipal government's functions.
