Vanessa Smith at a glance
- Current role
- Court Commissioner
- Court
- Superior Court in Maricopa County
- Jurisdiction
- Arizona · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Vanessa Smith
Court Commissioner · Superior Court in Maricopa County
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- 2021 - 2022: Managing Attorney, Community Legal Services
- 2012 - 2013: Mentor Attorney, Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
- 2004 - 2006: Associate, Macey & Aleman
- 2019 - 2021: Trial Group Supervisor, Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
- 2013 - 2019: Law Clerk/Extern Supervisor, Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
- 2006 - 2012: Trial Attorney, Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
- 2002 - 2004: Law Clerk, Palmer, Leatherman & White
Judicial service
- Assignment history: Department: Probate; Year: 1/2022; Location: Northeast Regional Court Center
- Assignment history: Department: Mental Health; Year: 6/2026; Location: Desert Vista
- 2022 - Present: Commissioner, Superior Court
- Assignment history: Department: Probate; Year: 6/2025; Location: Phoenix
- Current assignment: Mental Health Department Desert Vista
Courtroom rules and guidance
Judge Protocol Directory
Maricopa County publishes judge and judicial-officer protocol links from its official judicial-officer directory; check the assigned officer's protocol page before hearings or trial presentation planning.
ProtocolMaricopa County Superior Court Judicial Officers ↗
Digital Evidence Portal
Arizona's digital-evidence portal supports invited parties in participating courts to upload, review, manage, and share case exhibits for virtual or in-person hearings.
The digital evidence portal provides convenient 24/7 online access to upload, review, and manage exhibits in a case to which a party has been invited.Arizona Digital Evidence ↗
Remote Hearing Local Orders
Arizona requires each Superior, Justice, and Municipal Court to issue a local remote-hearing administrative order. The applicable county or court order controls scheduling and technology requirements.
The Arizona Supreme Court also mandated that each Superior, Justice, and Municipal Court issue a local administrative order based on these recommendations, with modifications as necessary due to technology or staffing limitations.Local Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings ↗
Remote Appearances And Evidence
Arizona remote appearances depend on the assigned judge and court. Parties should provide the court with evidence, documents, photos, or proof needed for the remote hearing using the court's directions.
Depending on the judge and court, hearings can be scheduled as in person or remote appearances.Remote Court Appearances ↗
Sources
Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=569&jdgUSID=16299Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Officers
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/index.asp?title=0Arizona Digital Evidence
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.azcourts.gov/digitalevidenceLocal Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.azcourts.gov/courtservices/Court-Services-Home/Local-Administrative-Orders-Regarding-Virtual-HearingsRemote Court Appearances
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Resources/Remote-Court-Appearances