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Man files complaint against Judge Bryce

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Sunday, January 25, 2009 1:42 PM MST

Steven Ferguson and his son, Shawn, both of Graham County, believe they were denied justice in District II Justice of the Peace Dewey Bryce’s courtroom and have filed complaints against him to the Commission on Judicial Conduct.

The Fergusons ended up in Bryce’s courtroom due to an ongoing feud with a neighbor over use of an easement to travel on Hickory Lane, located about 5 miles south of Safford.

Steven told the Courier that Bryce ignored evidence and issued an injunction against him under false pretenses.

“He ignored all of the evidence,” Steven said. “This woman just made up things, walked down there and took out an order . . . and I was served the same day. That’s the scary part. That means that anybody in this Valley can go down to Judge Bryce and get served the same day and have an injunction against them immediately.”

According to Steven, after proving the accusations against him were false with receipts, pictures and other evidence, the plaintiff told Bryce she must have just gotten the dates mixed up. The judge ordered the injunction anyway. Steven, who works as a prison guard, said this particularly scares him because if a false claim that he broke the injunction is made, he could be arrested.

He said that after having the judge yell at him in court and ignore all of his evidence, he filed the complaint because he doesn’t believe Bryce is able to fulfill his duties as a justice of the peace. He also questioned Bryce’s understanding of the law due to his lack of any legal background.

“Do we really need someone like him (Bryce) in our community making judgments that are unsound?” Steven asked.

According to the Arizona Revised Statutes, justices of the peace and magistrates do not need a law degree or any legal background to hold the position. There is also no mandatory retirement age.

Bryce, who is 81 years old, has retired twice from previous careers and has a background with the Teamsters, farming and construction. “Retirement and me just don’t get along,” he recently told the Courier.

Bryce has served as the JP for District II, an elected position with a four-year term, since 1999.

He told the Courier he has two years until the next election and would probably run again depending on his health. He wouldn’t comment specifically on the Fergusons’ complaints against him and what occurs inside his courtroom.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s confidential,” Bryce said. “He has a right to appeal any judgment in court, and he has a right to file a complaint. That’s all right.”

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Comments

25 comment(s)

D Miller wrote on Feb 25, 2009 12:02 AM:

" I DO know Judge Dewey Bryce and I am certain he is a fair, impartial, no nonsense and intelligent man and judge.

He's been voted in to the office he currently holds twice. Doesn't that say something?

He'll get my vote again. As long as he's willing to take on this job, I'm willing to put him there. "

Jason wrote on Feb 17, 2009 11:49 AM:

" Its in the State constitution I believe Justice of the Peace and Sheriffs are elected by the people they are not required to have any experience or degree. If Fergy was ruled against then he can appeal it. I have had dealings in Judge Bryce's court and found him to be reasonable and fair. But that was my experience. I wonder why this made the news paper. People file appeals all the time and complain. Why now? Just wondering. "

unspoken wrote on Feb 10, 2009 9:18 PM:

" I like rule #4 perception. It seems that the perception in this case is that Fergy didn't come from the area so he has no rights as far as most are concerned. Thats a perception of small towns all over the USA. The judge already said he has the right to file a complaint. Whats the big deal unless your wanting to deny them their rights as citizens of this country and this state. But you also know rule #6 fits this case very well? "

Lucky wrote on Feb 10, 2009 3:29 PM:

" Yeah, what's wrong with the logic; if school teachers and police have to be certified, then why not a Justice of the Peace? Or at least some kind or trainng?
Read closely, Dewey Bryce is not even mentioned. I'm asking an honest question.
I don't know him..
Gee.. "

windcryer wrote on Feb 2, 2009 1:42 PM:

" judge bryce has always been a very nice and fair judge he has helped me tremendously with order of protection
just because hes old doesnt mean you should pick on him
the person that didnt think the o.o.p. was fair could have appealed it.
shame on you for saying things against dewey! "

WADELAUDENSLAGER wrote on Feb 2, 2009 12:42 AM:

" BEING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LAW I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO THINK HOW HIDIOUS THESE MEN ARE TO "THINK" THAT THIS VERY WISE MAN HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW!! THIS MAN(JUDGE BRYCE) IS ONE OF THE SMARTEST AND HONEST MEN I'VE EVER KNOWN IN "THE SYSTEM" AND REGRETABLY I KNOW NEAR ALL OF "THE SYSTEMS" MEN. YOU ALL NEED TO KNOW THIS: HE IS VERY WISE, AND MOST OF ALL HE'S HONEST. NO MATTER WHAT OR WHO U R, YOU WILL BE TREATED FAIRLEY IN FRONT OF RESPECTABLE JUDGE DEWEY BRYCE. TRUST IN THAT!!! "

real2all wrote on Jan 29, 2009 2:45 PM:

" Rule number 4, preception. It is how you preceive a situation, usually determines the outcome of the situation. What do we know about the situation? Is any of the fellow commentators in the court room with Mr.Ferguson? Don't let emmotions sway your opinon of the truth. The truth is a 3 edge sword. Your side their side and the truth. Wether you like someone or dislike someone should not matter, right? If someone is right, and can prove they are right then that is all that matters. The truth shall set you free. "

Pima Resident wrote on Jan 29, 2009 8:54 AM:

" First to In the Know; don't you think it's a bit childish to tell someone to "go back to CA" because they have a different opinion than you? I moved to AZ in 1970 from Ohio. And as Really suggest I have a constitional right to a personal philosophy. I believe the next JP ought to have a law background and not just a representive of the church. What's in the best interest of the whole community, not just the few who at every oppurtunity tell us they are our moral superiors. "

Annoyed wrote on Jan 28, 2009 5:01 PM:

" Hey - 'Guess we know who Annoyed is" NO I didnt file anything against the Fergusons but im glad someone did. Like SaffordRes said - you dont know the situation im sure and if you did you would really agree with those who want him out of here. They are a family out to cause trouble for no reason against the real 'Good ol' Boy's who have lived in this town for more than 5 years and have a good name to stand by. With all remarks aside, this family is a joke and are only getting what they deserve. "

Shaesca wrote on Jan 28, 2009 1:09 PM:

" Oh Good Grief!!! This is so Junior High School it is sickening! Grow up, get outside your box and smell reality.... "

SaffordRes wrote on Jan 28, 2009 11:18 AM:

" "Well I guess we know who annoyed is" So do you KNOW Mr.Ferguson personally? or KNOW the situation and what has gone on? I can pretty much bet that the answer is NO....No one but the people involved know the whole situation...but there are others who DO know Mr.Ferguson and his family...and know the problems they have caused others. So unless you really know Mr.Ferguson, then i dont really think you have the right to judge any of US for not liking him. "

In the Know wrote on Jan 27, 2009 9:53 PM:

" Ferguson, if I am not mistaken?? As a DOC employee you probably shoudn't be wearing your work uniform to conduct your (rediculous complaints to the courts) to represent yourself for something that has nothing to do with your DOC employment. Can you say CODE OF ETHICS!! But I am sure you'll have a good reason for your actions....right? As shame said, your a JOKE ;-) Welcome to Safford BABY! "

Well i guess we know who annoyed is wrote on Jan 27, 2009 9:49 PM:

" Annoyed must be the person who filed the injunction on Mr. Ferguson. How bad could these people be? If he has recipts for the awning it belongs to him. If it was placed on someone elses property he should move it. Jeezz man. Take a chill pill Safford. Stop telling all these people to leave, get out! That is tarded, really. Mom he touched me, mom shes looking at me. Grow up sissys! Stop being so mean. I know life is stressful right now but you have to admit good ol boy system here sucks! "

WHAT wrote on Jan 27, 2009 12:44 PM:

" Judge Bryce is a very wise and knowledgable person, to criticize him is sooo wrong. Mr Ferguson is a odd character that needs to realize that he is not always right or that the world revolves around him. "

SaffordRes wrote on Jan 27, 2009 12:02 PM:

" Mr.Ferguson says its "scary" when someone can go get an injunction and it be served the same day....Yet, he would want an injunction served the same day HE got one against someone right? What it boils down to, is Mr.Ferguson is a bully, he is sue happy, and he needs to beat it out of Safford. Period! "

Tired of bullies wrote on Jan 27, 2009 11:28 AM:

" Looks like temper tantrums and bullying are not working here! Very smart to take on a local justiice so now all of the area judges will be sure to rule in your favor (NOT)! Did you get run out of California? Is that why you came here? Time to pack up your family and go somewhere else cause this town doesn't want bullies like you here! "

Really wrote on Jan 27, 2009 11:23 AM:

" Annoyed said it~ smart move insulting judge bryce. So even the public will state that having a bad thing to say about a judge will only hurt you. What ever happened to freedom of speech? "

Annoyed wrote on Jan 27, 2009 11:13 AM:

" Hey Pima Resident, Its not slander when its TRUE. Why comment if you dont know anything about the situation or the people? Thanks for playing. "

Shame wrote on Jan 26, 2009 9:59 PM:

" You are lucky if you don't know Ferguson,the article implies that papers were served on him same day. Ferguson himself has filed on persons in Graham with no foundation. Ferguson lost in JP #1 and also in JP #2. Say Ferguson boss at DOC did you know he was in a DOC uniform when he lost in JP #1? He thought it would impress everybody!!! Your a joke Ferguson. "

supporter wrote on Jan 26, 2009 5:32 PM:

" Judge Bryce is a good man and very honest, he has good common sense, they don't teach that in law school. "

Pima Resident wrote on Jan 26, 2009 4:32 PM:

" I had to laugh..where and who insulted Dewey Bruce? You're overacting..try and pull yourself together.
My advice? Quit sterotyping people from CA, it only shows your lack of common sense. "

yeah wrote on Jan 26, 2009 10:15 AM:

" So does this not sound like something an inmate would do.....I do not like what you the judge, officer says so I am going to file a complaint on you! "

in the know wrote on Jan 26, 2009 10:12 AM:

" How dare someone insult Dewey! He's a nice man. He may have no law degree, but he has common sense, which is usually lacking with other "law" men. MY ADVICE: Go back to CA and leave Judge Bryce alone. "

Pima Resident wrote on Jan 26, 2009 9:59 AM:

" No, I don't know the Fergusons. Yet, it looks like they have grounds to sue again for slander after reading the comments below.
However, I bet if records were studied it would show that whoever files in the JP court first wins the claim. It's the way it appears...after the stories you hear.
I don't know Judge Bryce well enough to comment on his character.
Perhaps having some kind of legal training and background in order to be a judge is a good idea. "

Annoyed wrote on Jan 25, 2009 9:19 PM:

" Knowing the Fergusons outside this situation I can honestly say that they are the unstable and immature ones period! They have done nothing but cause trouble for ALL who know them, and ALL who are around them in life and work. They should leave Graham County. For such a family to come into this town and think they OWN it and think people OWE them something is insane! Smart move insulting Judge Bryce, you'll get really far doing that Mr Ferguson and son. They are the creepy family in a horror movie. Nothing good comes of this family at all. "

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