Justice Maria Elena Cruz honored in hometown investiture ceremony
Samuel Kirk
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Justice Maria Elena Cruz officially took her seat on the Arizona Supreme Court during a special investiture ceremony held Friday morning at the Pivot Point Conference Center in Yuma.
The event marked a historic moment for the community, as Cruz became the first Afro-Latina to serve on the state’s highest court.
Surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues, Cruz was celebrated not just for her legal achievements, but for her deep ties to Yuma, the place where she was raised and where she continues to live.
“The American dream we talk about is still alive,” said Hon. David Haws, Presiding Judge for Yuma County. “Look what a person can accomplish with hard work. Dedication, perseverance, resilience. She came from humble beginnings in a rural county to the highest court in the state, and she did it all on her own merits.”
Cruz was appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs in March, following a nomination process that included unanimous approval from the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments.
Before joining the Supreme Court, Cruz served on the Arizona Court of Appeals and previously held judgeships with the Cocopah Indian Tribe and Yuma County Superior Court.
In addition to her legal work, Cruz is known for her bilingual advocacy and commitment to increasing access to justice.
“She has spoken at so many conferences and presentations. I couldn’t list them all,” said Hon. David B. Gass, Chief Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals. “She has traveled across this country and Mexico, giving those presentations in English and Spanish so that she could espouse the importance of the book of law and access to justice.”
Cruz emphasized her continued connection to the community, stating that although her new role does not require her to live in Yuma, she chooses to stay.
“The law does not require me anymore to live in Yuma,” Cruz said. “I don’t have to be a resident, but I am, and I hold myself accountable to this community, and I will continue to be a part of it so that I never lose the perspective of the community that raised me.”
Justice Cruz’s investiture followed a special session of the Arizona Supreme Court’s Oral Arguments on the Road, also held at Pivot Point the day before.
The ceremony not only honored Cruz’s personal journey, but also symbolized the enduring spirit of Yuma and the possibilities for future generations.