Adult Probation >Victim Services >Victims Rights Glossary Victims Rights Glossary Judge Pro Tem Arizona is one of the few states that allow an attorney to be appointed a Judge with full powers for the length of a case or series of proceedings. In Maricopa County, pro tem Judges are employed to keep backlogs down and cover for vacation schedules. Jurisdiction The legal authority of the court to hear and decide cases; the locality over which a court can exercise judicial power and authority to render a judgment in a case. Justice of the Peace A court in a precinct in the county that hears misdemeanor or juvenile case occurring in that county. Justice of the Peace will also hear cases at preliminary hearings for felony and civil cases when the amount is less than $10,000.00.