Bill Montgomery walks past reporters in the basement of the Executive Tower after a private swearing in as a supreme court justice. / Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror
By Ben Giles | Arizona Capitol Times
Bill Montgomery’s power and influence as an Arizona Supreme Court justice will depend on whether he abides by more traditional standards of the high court by taking less of an activist role at the Capitol.
Stepping back from his influential position as “top cop” in Maricopa County, one of the largest in the United States, would be a dramatic turn for Montgomery.
As county attorney, Montgomery has a well-earned reputation as an influential powerbroker at the Legislature, where he has opposed sweeping criminal justice reforms, and on the campaign trail, where’s he has been an outspoken opponent on matters like medical and recreational marijuana.
