The Court System in Arizona
The court system in Arizona has three levels
Limited jurisdiction courts are justice and municipal (or city) courts. These courts have jurisdiction over a limited variety of cases. They are nonrecord courts, meaning that permanent records of court proceedings are not required. However, some courts do make a record of proceedings.
The general jurisdiction court is the Superior Court of Arizona, a statewide trial court. This court hears the widest variety of cases and keeps permanent records of court proceedings.
The state appellate courts have jurisdiction to review trials and decisions appealed to them. Most appeals come from the superior court, except for death penalty appeals and some cases involving elected officials and disputes between counties, which go directly to the Supreme Court.
If you or a friend or loved one are arrested they will be arraigned to appear before either a city/municipal court, a Justice court or a superior court.
City Courts
Most cities or towns have a municipal court, also known as a city court or magistrate court. Municipal courts have criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanor crimes and petty offenses committed in their city or town. They share jurisdiction with justice courts over violations of state law committed within their city or town limits.
Municipal court judges (magistrates) hear misdemeanor criminal traffic cases such as driving under the influence of alcohol, hit-and-run and reckless driving where no serious injuries occur. They hear civil traffic cases, violations of city ordinances and codes, and issue orders of protection and injunctions prohibiting harassment. They can also issue search warrants. They DO NOT hear civil lawsuits between citizens.
Justice Courts
Each county has justice courts that are presided over by a justice of the peace, who is elected for a four year term. These include civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less, landlord and tenant controversies, small claims cases and the full range of civil and criminal traffic offenses, including DUIs.
Justices of the peace also resolve other types of misdemeanor allegations (e.g. shoplifting, writing bad checks, violating restraining orders) and, like other trial judges, also handle requests for orders of protection and injunctions against harassment.
The number of justice courts in a county depends on its population. For example, there are 25 justice courts in Maricopa County.
Criminal Jurisdiction – Some justices of the peace conduct preliminary hearings on felonies. All justice courts hear every type of crime that is a misdemeanor under state law, including; Assault and Battery, DUI (Including Extreme DUI), Bad Checks, Violations of Orders of Protection or Injunctions Against Harassment & Underage Drinking.
The Superior Court
The superior court is the state’s general jurisdiction court. It is a single entity with locations in each county. Each county has at least one superior court judge. In counties with more than one superior court judge, the judges operate in numbered divisions.
In Arizona the superior court has jurisdiction over all cases and proceedings in which exclusive jurisdiction is not vested by law in any of the lower courts. All criminal cases amounting to a felony, and misdemeanor cases not otherwise provided for by law are the responsibility of the superior court system.
Maricopa County Superior Court Locations
Downtown Phoenix Locations
Central Court Building (CCB)
201 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ. 85003-2243
Court Administration: (602) 506-3204
Civil Court Administration: (602) 506-1497
Family Court Administration: (602) 506-1561
Old Courthouse (OCH)
125 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ. 85003-2243
Probate/Mental Health Administration: (602) 506-3668
West Court Building (WCB)
111 S. Third Ave.
Phoenix, AZ. 85003-2243
Phone: (602) 506-3204
East Court Building (ECB)
101 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ. 85003-2243
Criminal Administration: (602) 506-8575
South Court Tower (SCT)
175 W. Madison St.
Phoenix, AZ. 85003-2243
Phone: (602) 506-3204
Northwest, Northeast and Southeast Locations
Northwest Regional Center (NW)
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ. 85374
Phone:(602) 372-9400
Northeast Regional Center (NE)
18380 N. 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ. 85032
Phone: (602) 372-7601
Southeast Court (SE)
222 E. Javelina Ave.
Mesa, AZ. 85210-6234
Phone: (602) 506-2020
Juvenile Court Locations
Durango Facility (JCC-DF/DUR)
3131 W. Durango
Phoenix, AZ. 85009-6292
Juvenile Administration: (602) 506-4533
Southeast Facility (JUV SE/SEJ)
1810 S. Lewis
Mesa, AZ. 85210-6234
Administration: (602) 506-2544
Law Library Locations
Main Law Library (ECB)
101 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ. 85003
Phone: (602) 506-3461
Southeast Legal Research Station
222 E. Javelina
Mesa, AZ. 85210-6234
Self-Service Center Locations
Northwest Regional Center (NW)
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ. 85374
Phone: (602) 372-9400
Northeast Regional Center (NE)
18380 N. 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ. 85032
Phone: (602) 372-7601
Downtown East Court Building (ECB)
101 W. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ. 85003
Phone: (602) 506-7353
Southeast Court (SE)
222 E. Javelina
Mesa, AZ. 85210-6234
Phone: (602) 506-7353
Downtown Justice Center
620 W. Jackson, First Floor
Phoenix, AZ. 85003
Phone: (602) 372-6301
San Tan Regional Court Center
201 E. Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ. 85225
Phone: (602) 372-3519
Clerk of the Court Customer Service Center:
601 W. Jackson
Phoenix, AZ. 85003
Phone: (602) 506-3360
Maricopa County Justice Courts
| Agua Fria Justice Court 9550 W. Van Buren Tolleson, AZ 85353 Judge: Joe “Pep” Guzman Phone: (623) 936-1449 Fax: (623) 936-4859 |
Arcadia Biltmore Justice Court 620 W Jackson St Phoenix, AZ 85003 Judge: Steven Sarkis Phone: (602) 372-6300 Fax: (602) 372-6412 |
Arrowhead Justice Court 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane Surprise, AZ 85374 Judge: Melanie DeForest Phone: (602) 372-2000 Fax: (602) 372-2620 |
| Desert Ridge Justice Court 18380 N. 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 Judge: Clancy Jayne Phone: (602) 372-7100 Fax: (602) 372-7912 |
Downtown Justice Court 620 W. Jackson Phoenix, AZ 85003 Judge: Jimmie Hernandez Phone: (602) 372-6300 Fax: (602) 372-6406 |
Dreamy Draw Justice Court 18380 N. 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 Judge: Frank Conti Jr Phone: (602) 372-7000 Fax: (602) 372-7911 |
| East Mesa Justice Court 4811 E. Julep Mesa, AZ 85205 Judge: Mark Chiles Phone: (480) 985-0188 Fax: (480) 396-6327 |
Encanto Justice Court 620 W. Jackson Phoenix, AZ 85003 Judge: C. Steven McMurry Phone: (602) 372-6300 Fax: (602) 372-6414 |
Estrella Mountain Justice Court 21749 W. Yuma Rd. Buckeye, AZ 85326 Judge: Jeff Fine Phone: (623) 386-4822 Fax: (623) 386-5796 |
| Hassayampa Justice Court 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane Surprise, AZ 85374 Judge: Chris Mueller Phone: (602) 372-2000 Fax: (602) 372-2620 |
Highland Justice Court 55 E. Civic Center Drive Gilbert, AZ 85296 Judge: Dan Dodge Phone: (602) 372-8300 Fax: (602) 372-8301 |
Ironwood Justice Court 209 E. Pima St Gila Bend, AZ 85337 Judge: Joe Getzwiller Phone: (928) 683-2651 Fax: (928) 683-6412 |
| Kyrene Justice Court 201 E. Chicago Street Chandler, AZ 85225 Judge: Elizabeth Rogers Phone: (602) 372-3400 Fax: (602) 372-3494 |
Manistee Justice Court 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane Surprise, AZ 85374 Judge: Gary Handley Phone: (602) 372-2000 Fax: (602) 372-2620 |
Maryvale Justice Court 4622 W. Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85031 Judge: Andrew Gastelum Phone: (623) 245-0432 Fax: (623) 245-1216 |
| McDowell Mountain Justice Court 18380 N. 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 Judge: Michael Reagan Phone: (602) 372-7000 Fax: (602) 372-7910 |
Moon Valley Justice Court 18380 N. 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 Judge: Rebecca Macbeth Phone: (602) 372-7000 Fax: (602) 372-7910 |
North Mesa Justice Court 1837 S. Mesa Drive Mesa, AZ 85210 Judge: Kyle Jones Phone: (480) 926-9731 Fax: (480) 926-7763 |
| North Valley Justice Court 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane Surprise, AZ 85374 Judge: Gerald Williams Phone: (602) 372-2000 Fax: (602) 372-2620 |
San Marcos Justice Court 201 E. Chicago Street Chandler, AZ 85225 Judge: Keith Frankel Phone: (602) 372-3400 Fax: (602) 372-3468 |
San Tan Justice Court 201 E. Chicago Street Chandler, AZ 85225 Judge: Samuel Goodman Phone: (602) 372-3400 Fax: (602) 372-3441 |
| Scottsdale City Court 3700 North 75th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Judge: Joseph Olcavage Phone: (602) 372-6300 Fax: (602) 372-6410 |
South Mountain Justice Court 620 W. Jackson St Phoenix, AZ 85003 Judge: Cody Williams Phone: (602) 372-6300 Fax: (602) 372-6410 |
University Lakes Justice court 201 E. Chicago Street Chandler, AZ 85225 Judge: Margaret Burton-Cahill Phone: (602) 372-3400 Fax: (602) 372-3414 |
| West McDowell Justice Court 620 W. Jackson Phoenix, AZ 85003 Judge: Rachel Carrillo Phone: (602) 372-6300 Fax: (602) 372-6408 |
West Mesa Justice Court 2050 W. University Drive Mesa, AZ 85201 Judge: Mark Anderson Phone: (480) 964-2958 Fax: (480) 969-1098 |
Maricopa County Municipal Courts
| The Avondale City Court 11325 West Civic Center Dr. Avondale, Arizona 85323 |
Buckeye Magistrate Court 100 North Apache Road, Suite C-1 Buckeye, AZ 85326 |
Carefree Municipal Court 100 Easy St Carefree, AZ 85377 |
| Cave Creek Municipal Court 3762 N Cave Creek Rd Cave Creek, AZ 85331 |
Chandler Municipal Court 200 E. Chicago St. Chandler, AZ 85225 |
El Mirage Municipal Court 14010 N El Mirage Road El Mirage, Az. 85335 |
| Fountain Hills Magistrate Ct 16836 E Palisades Blvd Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 |
Gilbert Municipal Court 55 E Civic Center Drive Gilbert, AZ 85296 |
Glendale City Court 5711 W Glendale Ave Glendale, AZ 85301 |
| Goodyear Municipal Court 185 N. 145th Ave. Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
Mesa Municipal Court 250 E. 1st Avenue Mesa, Arizona 85210 |
Paradise Valley Municipal Court 6401 E Lincoln Dr Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 |
| Peoria Municipal Court 8401 W Monroe St Peoria, AZ 85345 |
Phoenix Municipal Court 300 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 |
Scottsdale City Court 3700 N. 75th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251 |
| Surprise City Court 12604 W Santa Fe Dr Surprise, AZ 85374 |
Tempe Municipal Court 140 East 5th Street Tempe, AZ 85281 |
Tolleson Municipal Court 8350 W. Van Buren Street Tolleson, AZ 85353 |
| Wickenburg Municipal Court 155 N. Tegner Street, Suite B Wickenburg, Arizona 85390 |