City Court

Message from the Presiding Judge:

I am honored to be appointed as the Presiding Magistrate, of the South Tucson City Court, by Mayor and Council of the City of South Tucson.

I am a transplant from Washington State.  My family immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in the early eighties.  We settled in Seattle, Washington.  I came to Tucson in 2003 after graduating from the University of Washington School of Law.  After passing the Arizona State Bar, I worked as a Staff Attorney for the City of Tucson Attorney's Office.  I then transferred to the Criminal Department and worked as a Prosecuting Attorney representing the City of Tucson and the State in all court proceedings.  During my tenure as a Prosecuting Attorney I was assigned as the City's Drug Prosecutor for 5 years. I also worked in the City's Specialty Courts such as the Mental Health Court and Veterans Court.

While working as a Prosecuting Attorney I volunteered as Mediator for the City, presiding over Mediation cases involving internal conflicts between city employees and their departmental managers.

I retired from the City of Tucson Prosecutors' Office in September 2020, after over twenty years of dedicated service. Immediately after retirement, I went into private practice representing Defendants in State, Federal, local and tribal Courts.  After a couple of years in private practice, I went back to work for the government as Indigent Legal Services Counsel for Gila County.  My job was to oversee the procurement process for Indigent Legal Services contracts for Gila County and monitor compliance of approximately twenty five contract attorneys with their contractual obligations.  I approved Motion for Funds and expert witnesses necessary and appropriate for adequate legal representation of Indigent defendants.

In June of 2023, I accepted a position with Pinal County as a Deputy Public Defender.  To me, nothing is more satisfying than defending the rights of Indigent defendants facing criminal charges.  However, knowing the tremendous impact that a Judge can have over a person's life, my ultimate goal was to become a Judge.  This dream became a reality when Mayor and Council appointed me to be South Tucson's City Court Magistrate.

In the community, I endeavor to promote Philippine heritage and spread cultural awareness, inclusiveness and understanding.  I am a member of the Board in various Asian Pacific organizations.  In my free time, my husband Philip and I travel and sample different cuisines from all over the world.  My hobbies include reading, solving Sudoku and crossword puzzles, gardening, cooking and playing Mahjong.

Lastly, I want to assure the people of the City of South Tucson that every person who comes to our Court will be treated with respect and dignity. They will have their day in court.

Thank you,

Honorable Marylou C Natividad