Maricopa County Superior Court
Maricopa County Superior Court is where every felony case in the county is resolved. It is the largest trial court in Arizona and one of the largest in the country, and for most people facing a felony charge it is the court that matters.
If you have been charged with a felony anywhere from Phoenix to Buckeye to Apache Junction, this is where the case ends up, regardless of which police agency arrested you or which city court you first appeared in.
What This Court Handles
- All felony criminal cases, and misdemeanors not otherwise assigned by law to another court
- Appeals from municipal and justice courts. If a case was decided in a city court or a justice court, superior court is the next step: not the court of appeals
- Civil disputes above the justice court limit, family law, probate, evictions and tax matters
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency matters, through its juvenile division
How a Felony Gets Here
There are two routes, and which one your case takes affects the timeline and what your lawyer sees, and when.
By grand jury indictment. The county attorney presents the case to a grand jury, which decides whether to indict. The defense is not present for this.
By preliminary hearing. The case begins in a justice court, where a judge hears evidence and decides whether probable cause exists. If it does, the judge requires the defendant to answer the charges in superior court. If it does not, the judge can dismiss the charges outright.
That preliminary hearing is one of the few early opportunities to see part of the state’s case and test it in front of a judge before trial. Whether one occurs at all is often determined within days of the arrest.
Where the Court Sits
Maricopa County Superior Court is not a single building. Criminal proceedings happen across a downtown Phoenix complex and a set of regional centers, and appearing at the wrong one is a genuine risk. The paperwork you were given lists your court location and division, read it carefully, and confirm it before every appearance.
Downtown Phoenix
- Central Court Building: 201 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
- East Court Building: 101 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
- South Court Tower: 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
- West Court Building: 111 S. 3rd Ave., 5th and 6th floors, Phoenix, AZ 85003
- Old Courthouse: 125 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
- Downtown Justice Center: 620 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Regional Court Centers
- Southeast Justice Center: 222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210
- Northeast Regional Center: 18380 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032
- Northwest Regional Center: 14264 W. Tierra Buena Ln., Surprise, AZ 85374
- Southwest Regional Court Center: 10420 W. Van Buren St., Suite 106, Avondale, AZ 85323
- Western Regional Center: 6655 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301
Juvenile
- Durango Juvenile Court Center: 3131 W. Durango St., Phoenix, AZ 85009
- Southeast Juvenile Court Center: 1810 S. Lewis St., Building A, Mesa, AZ 85210
What to Expect
A felony case in superior court moves through a sequence of settings rather than a single hearing. There is an initial appearance and an arraignment, followed by pretrial conferences where the case is either negotiated or set for trial, motion practice on issues such as suppression of evidence, and then trial if the case does not resolve.
Most of the work that determines the outcome happens between those settings, not in the courtroom. Disclosure gets reviewed, motions get drafted, investigators get sent out, and the negotiation happens in conversations that never appear on a calendar. What the client sees is a series of short hearings. What decides the case is what happened in between.
Two practical points. Missing a setting is serious: a failure to appear can produce a warrant and undermine release conditions, and it is entirely avoidable. And your release conditions are enforceable from the moment they are imposed, including any no-contact provisions, travel limits or monitoring requirements.
Hear What Our Clients Say
From our Google reviews, plus Yelp and Avvo. These are clients’ own words, reproduced from our review profiles.
“These guys are the best attorneys in all of Arizona. It is definitely the most professional group of lawyers… I recommend this firm!”
“Sydney was extremely thorough regarding every single detail of my criminal case… it ultimately resulted in a clear and powerful win for my case.”
“They fought tirelessly for my case and helped me achieve a favorable outcome. Exceptional service and results.”
“The firm provided me with the most professional legal representation possible. Mr. Ryan Tait patiently explained… beyond my expectations.”
“The best law firm that I have ever dealt with. The amount of passion & commitment that they dedicated for my case… truly what separated them from other law firms.”
“Oh my goodness, our lawyer Ryan Tait was amazing. He does what he says he’s going to do. A very patient lawyer… He’s a miracle worker.”
“I was being charged with a few felony counts and facing a few years in prison… I made the best choice of my life calling this law firm.”
“…they reached out to one of their attorneys and confirmed my suspicions; I’ve been worried this whole time about criminal charges, they put my fears to rest. HIGHLY recommend them.”
“Helpful and clear direction in a time of uncertainty. Highly recommended.”
“Ryan Tait was amazing and really helpful. I would recommend him.”
“If you’re looking for a law group that truly cares about you and makes a difficult situation less stressful, these are your people… Alexis was my lawyer, and she was truly heaven-sent.”
“Alexis Brooks was my lawyer… She was extremely professional yet down to earth and always made me feel at ease and confident in my case. I would definitely recommend her for anyone that needs an excellent defense attorney.”
“Spectacular representation! Sydney was very compassionate, diligent and professional. I can’t recommend enough.”
“…Ryan and his team are kind, understanding, and very good listeners. Each member of his team was well educated, knowledgable and very professional.”
“We hired Mr. Tait to handle a legal affair for a member of our family. It was a complex criminal case that required over two years of work! Through the entire effort, Mr. Tait kept us informed…”
“My family hired Ryan Tait to fight for my family member… He went over all the pros and cons. He answered all our questions and calls. He knows what he is doing.”
“Ryan is absolutely awesome and professional. He gave me all detailed advice I needed. He is nice and patient. I definitely recommend Ryan and his law firm!”
“Very good at what they do… they were always on top of everything didn’t really have to do much they took care of everything…”
“These guys are great!! They did a great job on my case, super consistent and helpful. Definitely will recommend them to anyone.”
“Excellent lawyers… and their honesty, and they helped me even though I do not live in Arizona.”
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Lo que dicen nuestros clientes
De nuestras reseñas en Google, además de Yelp y Avvo. Son las palabras de nuestros clientes, tomadas de nuestros perfiles de reseñas y traducidas del inglés.
“Son los mejores abogados de todo Arizona. Sin duda es el grupo de abogados más profesional… ¡Recomiendo esta firma!”
“Sydney fue sumamente minuciosa con cada detalle de mi caso penal… al final, eso resultó en una victoria clara y contundente para mi caso.”
“Lucharon incansablemente por mi caso y me ayudaron a lograr un resultado favorable. Servicio y resultados excepcionales.”
“La firma me brindó la representación legal más profesional posible. El Sr. Ryan Tait me explicó con paciencia… más allá de mis expectativas.”
“La mejor firma de abogados con la que he tratado. La pasión y el compromiso que dedicaron a mi caso… es lo que realmente los distinguió de otras firmas.”
“¡Dios mío, nuestro abogado Ryan Tait fue increíble! Cumple lo que dice que va a hacer. Un abogado muy paciente… Hace milagros.”
“Me acusaban de varios cargos por delitos graves y me enfrentaba a unos años de prisión… Tomé la mejor decisión de mi vida al llamar a esta firma.”
“…se comunicaron con uno de sus abogados y confirmaron mis sospechas; había estado preocupado todo este tiempo por posibles cargos penales, y calmaron mis temores. Los recomiendo MUCHÍSIMO.”
“Orientación útil y clara en un momento de incertidumbre. Muy recomendables.”
“Ryan Tait fue increíble y de gran ayuda. Lo recomendaría.”
“Si busca un despacho que de verdad se preocupe por usted y haga que una situación difícil sea menos estresante, esta es su gente… Alexis fue mi abogada, y fue una verdadera bendición.”
“Alexis Brooks fue mi abogada… Fue sumamente profesional y a la vez sencilla, y siempre me hizo sentir tranquilo y seguro con mi caso. Sin duda la recomendaría a cualquiera que necesite una excelente abogada defensora.”
“¡Representación espectacular! Sydney fue muy compasiva, diligente y profesional. No puedo recomendarla lo suficiente.”
“…Ryan y su equipo son amables, comprensivos y saben escuchar. Cada miembro de su equipo demostró estar bien preparado, con conocimiento y gran profesionalismo.”
“Contratamos al Sr. Tait para encargarse de un asunto legal de un miembro de nuestra familia. Fue un caso penal complejo que requirió más de dos años de trabajo. Durante todo el proceso, el Sr. Tait nos mantuvo informados…”
“Mi familia contrató a Ryan Tait para luchar por un familiar… Nos explicó todos los pros y los contras. Respondió todas nuestras preguntas y llamadas. Sabe lo que hace.”
“Ryan es absolutamente increíble y profesional. Me dio todos los consejos detallados que necesitaba. Es amable y paciente. ¡Sin duda recomiendo a Ryan y a su bufete!”
“Muy buenos en lo que hacen… siempre estuvieron al tanto de todo; casi no tuve que hacer nada, ellos se encargaron de todo…”
“¡Son excelentes! Hicieron un gran trabajo en mi caso, muy constantes y serviciales. Sin duda los recomendaré a cualquiera.”
“Excelentes abogados… y su honestidad y eso que me ayudaron que yo no vivo en Arizona”
Los resultados anteriores no garantizan un resultado similar.
Talk to a Maricopa County criminal defense lawyer
If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by a detective, the decisions you make in the first few days matter. Nova Law Group defends misdemeanor and felony cases in the Superior Court and in municipal and justice courts across Maricopa County.
Free, confidential consultation: (480) 405-6767
Prefer not to call? Send us your case details and a member of our team will follow up with you.
Maricopa County courts
- Maricopa County Superior CourtFelonies, at the downtown criminal court complex.Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Court website Directions
- Justice courtsSome DPS and Sheriff's Office misdemeanors, in courts across the county. Your citation names the court.Find your court
- City courtsMisdemeanors from inside a city, heard in that city's court. See our city pages:PhoenixMesaScottsdaleTempe
Our office: Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., by appointment. Directions
Hable con un abogado de defensa penal del condado de Maricopa
Si lo arrestaron, lo acusaron o un detective lo contactó, las decisiones que tome en los primeros días importan. Nova Law Group defiende casos de delitos menores y graves en la Corte Superior y en las cortes municipales y de justicia de todo el condado de Maricopa.
Consulta gratuita y confidencial: (480) 405-6767
¿Prefiere no llamar? Envíenos los detalles de su caso y un miembro de nuestro equipo se comunicará con usted.
Cortes del condado de Maricopa
- Corte Superior del Condado de MaricopaDelitos graves, en el complejo penal del centro.Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
- Cortes de justiciaAlgunos delitos menores del DPS y de la Oficina del Sheriff, en cortes de todo el condado. Su citación indica la corte.Busque su corte
- Cortes municipalesDelitos menores dentro de una ciudad, en la corte de esa ciudad. Vea nuestras páginas por ciudad:PhoenixMesaScottsdaleTempe
Nuestra oficina: Nova Law Group, PLLC, 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. De lunes a viernes, de 8:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m., con cita previa. Cómo llegar
RecognitionReconocimientos
Awards and ratingsPremios y calificaciones
Awards and ratings reflect the standards of the organizations that issue them. They do not predict the outcome of any case.Los premios y las calificaciones reflejan los criterios de las organizaciones que los otorgan. No predicen el resultado de ningún caso.