Arizona Court Cartel Under Fire

Lawmakers push jury trials and accountability for family court abuses. Will Katie Hobbs veto reform again?

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Arizona's family courts are facing increased scrutiny as lawmakers push for major reforms, including jury trials in custody disputes, liability for court-appointed professionals, and a presumption of joint custody. The reform movement is taking on the entrenched powers of judges, bureaucrats, and the divorce industry, who are fighting to maintain the status quo. All eyes are now on Governor Katie Hobbs, who previously vetoed similar reforms, as the battle over the future of Arizona's family courts intensifies.

Why it matters

The proposed reforms aim to address long-standing concerns about abuse, corruption, and profiteering in Arizona's family court system, which critics say routinely ignores abuse, strips protective parents of custody, and funnels families into a for-profit gauntlet of court-appointed professionals. The reforms seek to restore basic constitutional protections for parents and children, and curb the unchecked power of judges in custody decisions.

The details

The reform package includes three key bills: SB 1330 would give parents the right to a jury trial in child custody disputes, SB 1329 would strip court-appointed professionals of absolute immunity and allow parents to sue for misconduct, and SB 1328 would establish a presumption of joint custody, forcing courts to treat both parents as equals at the outset. Reformers argue these changes will short-circuit scorched-earth custody battles, stop judges from arbitrarily picking winners, and restore families' rights.

  • In 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a GOP-led family court reform bill, angering parents and reformers.
  • The latest round of reforms has been pushed by lawmakers like Senator Mark Finchem and Representative Rachel Keshel, who held hearings to expose the abuses in the system.

The players

Malinda Sherwyn

A veteran Arizona court watchdog who has sounded the alarm on the abuses in the family court system, detailing a system that routinely ignores abuse, strips protective parents of custody, and funnels families into a for-profit gauntlet of court-appointed professionals.

Senator Mark Finchem

An Arizona lawmaker who led the ad hoc committee that heard dozens of hours of testimony about the abuses in the family court system, and who authored SB 1329 to hold court-appointed professionals accountable.

Representative Rachel Keshel

An Arizona lawmaker who grew emotional during hearings, citing a victim's admission that "Judges do what they want" as a key problem in the family court system.

Senator Wendy Rogers

An Arizona lawmaker who grilled a county lobbyist over the claim that only judges have the "training and experience" to decide custody cases, arguing that juries don't need to be subject matter experts to pass judgment.

Governor Katie Hobbs

The Democratic governor of Arizona who previously vetoed a GOP-led family court reform bill in 2024, and who now faces pressure from the reform movement to sign the latest round of reforms.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't justice. This is extortion. This is no different than child trafficking.”

— Dominic, Father

“Judges do what they want. That's a problem.”

— Rachel Keshel, Representative

“We're not afraid of you. Now the people get to decide.”

— Wendy Rogers, Senator

What’s next

The reform bills are currently making their way through the Arizona legislature, and the battle is expected to intensify as the family court establishment fights to maintain the status quo. All eyes are on Governor Katie Hobbs, who will ultimately decide whether to sign the reforms into law or veto them again.

The takeaway

The fight for reform in Arizona's family courts has become a high-stakes battle, pitting determined parents and their legislative champions against the entrenched powers of judges, bureaucrats, and the divorce industry. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the rights of parents and children in the state, and could serve as a model for similar reform efforts in other states.