Yavapai County judge has cases reassigned following DUI arrest

By Greg Hahne
Associated Press
Published: Monday, March 27, 2023 - 3:40pm
Updated: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 - 8:47am

A Yavapai County Superior Court judge has had all of her cases reassigned to other judges following a DUI arrest.

The ruling from the state Supreme Court comes as Justice Celé Hancock was arrested last week on suspicion of extreme DUI. 

The high court also said the Commission on Judicial Conduct will manage any investigations it believes are appropriate.

Police allege Hancock had an initial blood-alcohol concentration of 0.158%, or double the legal limit. They said later tests showed a concentration of 0.219% and 0.214%

Presiding Judge John Napper of Yavapai County Superior Court says he believes a criminal case could proceed. Hancock was elected to the bench in 2010.