Hon. Cathy RiggsDESERT RIDGE PRECINCT | Phone Number: (602) 372-7100
Judge Cathy Riggs won her first election as the Desert Ridge Justice of the Peace in November, 2016. Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick swore her into office the following January. She is past chair of the Justice Courts’ Pro-Tem, Hearing Officer, and Mediator Committee, is part of the Legislative and Professional Standards committees, and is a mentor to new judges before they take the Bench. In 2024, Arizona Supreme Court Justice Ann Timmer appointed Judge Riggs to the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Judge Riggs has an extensive background in law enforcement and justice administration. She began her professional career as a police officer in Santa Rosa, California, working patrol alongside her male colleagues. She was promoted to detective and worked on major crime investigations, specializing and becoming a recognized expert in sexual assault and child abuse cases. She also taught at the police academy and at the basic law enforcement course for National Parks rangers. While on the police force, Riggs earned a B.A. degree in Administration of Justice.
Judge Riggs left law enforcement to raise three children and begin law school. After four years of night classes (and lots of microwave meals for the kids!), she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree, and would later resume her career as the Manager of Investigations for the Arizona Medical Board.