Donald Watts Reprimanded

The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct ruled that Surprise Justice of the Peace Donald Watts committed two conduct violations after using rude and demeaning language toward several people appearing before him in court, following a citizen complaint filed in November 2025. The Commission's April 1, 2026 ruling found Watts violated Rule 1.2 of the Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct, requiring judges to act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the judiciary, and Rule 2.8(B), requiring judges to be patient, dignified, and courteous. Watts reviewed video of a September 2025 hearing and acknowledged his own attitude from the bench was "grumpy," attributing it to a chronic illness he was managing at the time. He apologized and voluntarily removed himself from hearing cases.