On November 3, Fox 10 Phoenix reported that Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Cele Hancock resigned following her arrest and conviction for driving under the influence earlier this year.
According to an agreement reached with the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct, Judge Hancock agreed to step down from her post as part of a deal to avoid further disciplinary action. The commission stated the stipulated resolution provides a prompt conclusion while protecting public integrity in the judiciary.
Judge Hancock’s legal issues stem from an incident on March 19, 2023, when she was arrested by Prescott police on four counts of extreme DUI. Officers responded to a report of an impaired driver and pulled over Hancock’s vehicle near downtown Prescott. Police reported Hancock failed sobriety tests and her breath tests showed blood alcohol concentration levels far exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%.
Hancock was taken into custody and provided breath samples measuring 0.219% and 0.214%. She acknowledged to officers “My career is already over” when informed of her implied consent rights. In May 2023, Hancock pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor DUI in the case.
As part of her resignation agreement, Judge Hancock will not seek any future judicial positions in Arizona. She had served as the Superior Court judge for Yavapai County’s 5th judicial division since 2010, winning consecutive unopposed elections to the post.
Source: Fox 10 Phoenix
