New Presiding City Magistrate Appointed in Mesa

New Presiding City Magistrate Appointed in Mesa

Mesa City Council has appointed Stephen Umpleby to be the new Presiding City Magistrate. The appointment was approved during the April 15 City Council meeting.

In his three years on the bench, Judge Umpleby has proven to be an innovative, compassionate and excellent magistrate. He is part of an outstanding judicial team that has made Mesa the best city court in our state, said Mayor John Giles.

Judge Umpleby has been a City Magistrate with Mesa Municipal Court since February 2021. He presided over the creation of the Domestic Violence Court with the goal of preventing recidivism through rehabilitation and increased offender accountability. The Court has achieved a recidivism rate more than six times less than the national average. He also maintained a normal court docket presiding over weekly jury trials, bench trials, hearings and depositions.

It is truly an honor to be a magistrate in Mesa and to be appointed by City Council as Presiding Chief Magistrate, said Judge Umpleby. I look forward to continue working with the dedicated judges and staff of Mesa Municipal Court to make sure the courts are operating efficiently and that justice is served promptly and fairly,

Prior to becoming a magistrate, Judge Umpleby was an Assistant Mesa City Prosecutor and Deputy Maricopa County Attorney. He earned a bachelors degree at Weber State University and his Juris Doctorate at Arizona State University. He and his wife of eighteen years are the proud parents of two young children that keep them busy at their schools and sporting events.

Judge Umpleby replaces Presiding City Magistrate John Tatz, who has been appointed Presiding City Magistrate in his hometown of Peoria.