Arizona Courts
One of the first questions people ask after an arrest is which court their case is in. It is not a trivial detail. The court determines what the maximum exposure is, how quickly the case moves, whether a jury is available, who the prosecutor is, and in many cases whether diversion is even on the table.
Arizona has three trial-level courts that hear criminal matters, and they are not interchangeable.
Municipal Courts
Municipal courts, also called city courts, handle cases arising inside a particular city’s limits. On the criminal side that means misdemeanors, including misdemeanor criminal traffic offenses such as driving under the influence, hit and run, and reckless driving where no serious injury occurred. They also handle civil traffic violations and city ordinance violations, and they issue orders of protection and injunctions against harassment.
What a municipal court does not do is hear civil lawsuits between private parties, and it does not try felonies.
Practically, this is where most first-time DUI and minor misdemeanor cases in the Phoenix metro begin and end. Each city runs its own court with its own prosecutor’s office, its own calendar, and its own approach to plea offers and diversion. Two identical cases in two neighboring cities can go very differently.
Justice Courts
Justice courts, sometimes called justice of the peace courts, cover geographic precincts rather than city boundaries, which means they usually handle conduct occurring outside city limits or in unincorporated areas. On the criminal side they hear misdemeanors and petty offenses. On the civil side they handle claims up to $10,000, and they share jurisdiction with the superior court over eviction (forcible entry and detainer) cases where the amount involved is $10,000 or less.
Justice courts also play a role in felony cases that catches people off guard. A felony can begin in justice court, where the judge conducts a preliminary hearing and decides whether there is probable cause. If there is, the judge requires the defendant to answer the charges in superior court. If there is not, the judge can dismiss the charges outright.
That preliminary hearing is one of the few early points in a felony case where a judge examines the state’s evidence before trial. It is worth taking seriously rather than treating as a formality.
Superior Court
The superior court is Arizona’s general jurisdiction trial court, with one in each of the fifteen counties. It hears all felony criminal cases and any misdemeanor not otherwise assigned to another court by law. It also handles civil disputes above the justice court limit, along with family law, probate, evictions and tax matters.
Superior court is also where appeals from municipal and justice courts are heard. If a case is decided in a city court or a justice court, the superior court is the next step, not the court of appeals.
Felony cases reach superior court in one of two ways: by grand jury indictment, or by being bound over after a preliminary hearing in a lower court. Which route a case takes affects the timeline and what the defense sees, and when.
Why the Venue Changes the Case
The same conduct can produce meaningfully different outcomes depending on where it is charged. Charging practices vary between city prosecutors and the county attorney. Diversion programs exist in some courts and not others, with different eligibility rules and different deadlines to apply. Some courts move cases in weeks and others in months. Judges within a single county differ in how they handle suppression issues and sentencing.
None of that is something a defendant can be expected to know. It is, however, the difference between a lawyer who appears in a given court regularly and one who does not.
Guides to Individual Arizona Courts
Detailed guides to specific courts, including locations, case types and what to expect. This directory is expanding.
Superior Court
- Maricopa County Superior Court: every felony in the county, plus appeals from city and justice courts. Downtown Phoenix complex and five regional centers
- Pima County Superior Court: Tucson, the second largest trial court in Arizona
- Pinal County Superior Court: Florence, covering Casa Grande, Apache Junction and San Tan Valley
- Yavapai County Superior Court: Prescott, with a Camp Verde division
- Coconino County Superior Court: Flagstaff, where I-40 and I-17 meet
- Mohave County Superior Court: Kingman, covering Bullhead City and Lake Havasu
- Yuma County Superior Court: Yuma, on the California and Mexico borders
Maricopa County City Courts
- All Maricopa County City Courts: addresses and phone numbers, including Peoria, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear and Buckeye
- Phoenix Municipal Court: Arizona’s busiest limited jurisdiction court, roughly 160,000 charges a year
- Mesa Municipal Court: including Community Court and Veterans Treatment Court
- Scottsdale City Court: high DUI and photo enforcement volume
- Chandler Municipal Court
- Glendale City Court
- Tempe Municipal Court: large university and downtown caseload
- Gilbert Municipal Court
Justice Courts
- Maricopa County Justice Courts: all 27 precincts and the seven buildings they actually sit in
Where Nova Law Group Appears
Nova Law Group handles criminal matters in all fifteen Arizona counties, in municipal, justice and superior courts, as well as federal matters in the District of Arizona. If you are not sure which court your case is in, the paperwork you were given after your arrest or citation will say, and we can tell you what that means for your case.
Call (480) 405-6767 for a free, confidential consultation.
Related: Criminal Defense · What Happens After an Arrest · Diversion Programs · DUI Defense
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.
Have a case in this court?
Nova Law Group appears in municipal, justice and superior courts across Maricopa County. Call for a free, confidential consultation about your case.
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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.