Events - Event View

Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx: Which is it and why does it matter?

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Honorable Maria Elena Cruz of the Arizona Court of Appeals will explain the history behind the evolution of the terms used to describe a group of people as diverse as the many countries they represent.

MARIA ELENA CRUZ serves on the Arizona Court of Appeals. She serves on the Arizona Supreme Court’s Commission on Victims in the Court, Committee on Criminal Rules Regarding Victims, Judicial Performance Review Conference Teams, Arizona State Bar Convention Working Group, and volunteers her time to presenting before the University of Arizona Law School, Arizona State University Law School, and community organizations around the State.
 
Judge Cruz obtained a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law and has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Arizona. She began her practice of law as a prosecutor in her hometown at the Yuma County Attorney’s Office, prosecuting felony offenders. She later practiced in criminal defense, eventually venturing into solo practice. As a solo practitioner, Judge Cruz undertook representation in criminal, civil and family law matters and served as judge pro-tem for the Cocopah Indian Tribe. In 2008 Judge Cruz became the first woman elected Superior Court Judge in Yuma County, Arizona.
 
Prior to Judge Cruz’ appointment to the Court of Appeals, she served as the Presiding Judge of Superior Court in Yuma County. In addition to administering the business of the Yuma courts while she served as Presiding Judge, Judge Cruz presided over criminal cases, the Yuma County Superior Court SAFE Program, Restitution Court, and Drug Court. During her tenure in the Superior Court Judge Cruz presided over juvenile, family, civil and criminal matters. Judge Cruz maintains active participation in the Yuma legal community by serving as judge pro-tem in Yuma County’s Restitution Court and contributes to the development of the law internationally by serving as a professor of law teaching trial advocacy in the Republic of Mexico.


*The State Bar of Arizona does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement. This activity may qualify for up to 1.0 hour toward your annual CLE requirement for the State Bar of Arizona, including 1.0 hour of professional responsibility.