Big Idea
- Judge Mackey has been on the bench for 18 years
- Judge Mackey’s retirement will be effective July 31, 2020
- Chief Justice Brutinel has appointed Judge John D. Napper to fill the vacancy created by Mackey’s retirement
- Judge Mackey said one of his proudest accomplishments was “establishing and presiding over our Veteran’s Court"
PRESCOTT, ARIZONA – After serving the citizens of Yavapai County for the past 31 years, the Honorable David L. Mackey, Presiding Judge of the Yavapai County Superior Court announces his retirement, effective July 31, 2020. Judge Mackey spent the first 13 years of his career with the county as a Deputy County Attorney and the last 18 as a Yavapai County Superior Court Judge.
Judge Mackey was appointed to serve in Division 1 of the Yavapai County Superior Court in December 2001 by Governor Hull. He was elected to serve four-year terms in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 and has presided over all case types. On January 7, 2011, Judge Mackey was appointed by Chief Justice Berch to serve as the Presiding Judge of the Yavapai County Superior Court. As the Presiding Judge, he has overseen the administration of all Superior, Justice and Municipal Courts in Yavapai County.
During his terms with the Superior Court, Judge Mackey has served on a number of committees, including Chairperson of the Supreme Court’s Committee on Superior Court, the Probate Rules Committee for the State, the Supreme Court’s Committee on Improving Judicial Oversight and Processing of Probate Court Matters, the Arizona Judicial Council and the Arizona Committee on Juvenile Courts.
Judge Mackey said, “It has been my honor to serve the citizens of Yavapai County for the past three decades. Peggy and I have decided it is time to embark on our next adventure. As we do so, I will miss the many wonderful people I have had the pleasure of serving with side by side as well as the attorneys and citizens that have appeared before me.”
Chief Justice Robert Brutinel has appointed the Honorable John D. Napper to fill the vacancy created by Judge Mackey’s retirement, and he will assume the duties of Presiding Judge of Yavapai County Superior Court effective August 1, 2020. Judge Napper said, “It has been my great pleasure to work with Judge Mackey. Throughout his career, Judge Mackey has served the citizens of Yavapai County with integrity and distinction. We all wish him well in his retirement.”
Yavapai County Superior Court Administrator Calvin Rolf Eckel stated, “It has been an honor working beside Judge Mackey over the last eight years. He cares about people and always made sure each individual he came in contact with in the court system was treated fairly and with respect. One of his proudest accomplishments was establishing and presiding over our Veteran’s Court where he helped former service men and women get their lives back on track.”
