Initial appearance court (Intake, Transfer and Release)
The first court date after an arrest, within 24 hours. Release conditions, including any no-contact order, are set here.
2670 S. 28th Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85009
Mesa misdemeanor defense
Misdemeanor Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
A misdemeanor still deserves a real defense.
A Mesa misdemeanor tends to arrive quietly: a citation signed on the hood of a patrol car off Broadway Road, a summons in the mail weeks after a call to your apartment, or release papers handed over after a morning hearing that followed a night in the city's holding facility. The charge may be labeled minor, but it is still a criminal case, and the decisions made at a first Mesa court date can follow you well beyond the case.
We can help. Nova Law Group was built by a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, and we take a meticulous, aggressive approach, fighting from every angle, because the report is only one side of the story.
Talk to us before you talk to anyone else. Call (480) 405-6767. Consultations are free and confidential, and the earlier we are involved, the more we can do.
FounderRyan TaitFormer Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutorMeet Ryan →★ 5-star reviewsFormer felony prosecutorAvailable after hoursFlat fee on most criminal casesFree, confidential consultation
Where we practice
The prosecutor, the courthouse and the first appearance
First court date
Within 24 hours of an arrest. On a felony, release conditions are set at the jail court, 2670 S. 28th Dr. in Phoenix.
Misdemeanor
The Mesa City Prosecutor brings it in Mesa Municipal Court, 250 E. 1st Ave., open Monday to Thursday.
Felony
The County Attorney brings it in Superior Court in downtown Phoenix, 201 W. Jefferson St. or 175 W. Madison St.
Other agencies
A DPS or Sheriff's case can go to the justice courts at the Southeast Justice Center, 222 E. Javelina Ave.
Inside Mesa city limits, misdemeanors and city code violations are brought by the Mesa City Prosecutor's Office in Suite 222 of 250 E. 1st Ave. and heard by Mesa Municipal Court in that same building. The prosecutor's own page says it represents the State of Arizona and gives residents no legal advice, which is worth remembering when a city prosecutor is the one explaining an offer. The court names DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, theft, shoplifting and assault as examples of the misdemeanors it hears. Felonies that occur in Mesa go to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office instead.
The agency on the ticket can send a case somewhere else entirely. A misdemeanor cited by a state trooper on a freeway, or by a deputy in a county island, may land in a justice court instead; four of them, Highland, North Mesa, East Mesa and West Mesa, share the Southeast Justice Center building on Javelina Avenue. In those courts the County Attorney's Office is the prosecutor, and its justice court diversion handout gives a deputy county attorney the call on which misdemeanor cases are referred.
An officer may write the complaint at the scene, hand over a copy and let the person go with a date to appear. Officers may instead submit a report so the City Prosecutor can decide later whether to charge, and a summons follows if it does. Either way, Mesa Municipal Court's ticket page says the date and time on the complaint or summons must be kept, the first appearance is an arraignment, and missing any appearance may lead to an arrest warrant.
When an arrest on a Mesa city charge ends in booking, the person waits at the Mesa Police holding facility for a Mesa judge's initial appearance. The city's holding facility page says those hearings happen every morning; Monday through Thursday the public can follow them on screens inside the 1st Avenue courthouse, and from Friday through Sunday and on holidays, in the lobby of police headquarters on Hibbert. Under Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 4.1, that hearing has to take place within 24 hours of the arrest.
Do not assume the court will appoint you a lawyer. Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 6.1(b) entitles an indigent defendant to appointed counsel in a proceeding that may result in punishment by loss of liberty. In misdemeanor court, the prosecutor can avow that no jail will be requested and the judge can rule that no jail will be imposed, and once that happens, there is no right to appointed counsel at all. Arizona's Court of Appeals upheld exactly that in Campa v. Fleming, 134 Ariz. 330 (App. 1982).
Mesa Municipal Court spells out its own version of that limit. Its public defender page says some cases do not qualify, the judge decides in the courtroom whether yours does and then looks at your finances, any cost depends on your ability to pay, and no appointment comes before the first appearance in court.
Avoiding jail is not the same as avoiding a conviction. Under A.R.S. § 13-603, a sentence of probation or of a fine alone is still, for every other purpose, a final judgment of conviction. A Mesa misdemeanor record can show up in background checks for jobs, apartments and professional licenses, can count as a prior for some later charges, and can carry immigration consequences for anyone who is not a U.S. citizen. A domestic violence label adds a treatment program the judge must order after a misdemeanor conviction and the defendant must pay for.
The charges
Mesa misdemeanor charges we handle
A first DUIA court case and an MVD process, on separate tracks.Extreme DUIThe higher alcohol tiers have their own page.Misdemeanor assaultThe forms of the charge are laid out there.A domestic violence labelIt reshapes release terms and sentencing.Shoplifting and theftBoth appear on the court's misdemeanor list.Disorderly conductFrequently one count among several.Criminal trafficIncluding driving on a suspended license.Reckless driving or racingCriminal, unlike a civil ticket.Leaving the sceneLeaving a damage-only crash is a class 1 misdemeanor.HarassmentUnder A.R.S. § 13-2921, the basic form is a class 1 misdemeanor.Passive resistanceThe misdemeanor form of resisting arrest under A.R.S. § 13-2508.A protective order violationFrequently carries a DV designation.Diversion and specialty docketsA class 6 felony entered as a misdemeanorPossible in some cases under A.R.S. § 13-604(A).Record relief after the case
Our Arizona misdemeanor page carries the class limits and the sentencing rules that apply statewide.
Penalties
From the citation to sentencing on 1st Avenue
Check the paperwork
The complaint or summons names the court, the charge and the first date. Compare it with the court's online case lookup at ecourt.mesaaz.gov, and keep in mind that the courthouse posts hours for Monday through Thursday and none for Friday.
Arraignment
The plea comes first: guilty, no contest or not guilty. Either guilty or no contest results in a conviction, which is why neither belongs at a first appearance before anyone has read the report. A not guilty plea sends the case on to a pretrial conference.
Discovery
Requests to the City Prosecutor go in writing, by mail, email or fax, listing the defendant's name, where the material should be sent and the docket or police report number. Ours goes out at the start, because body-worn video, the 911 call and dispatch notes are what the pretrial discussion turns on.
The pretrial conference
Mesa's ticket page describes this setting as the time for the defense to go through discovery and for the two sides to discuss a trial date or a plea agreement. A City of Mesa job description for deputy city prosecutors lists these conferences and plea negotiation among the duties. What the defense has gathered by then, from the video to proof of counseling already started, can shape the offer.
Trial
The ticket page lists DUI and shoplifting or theft as jury eligible and notes that other charges may be too; everything else is set for a bench trial, where the judge decides the facts. Victims, according to that page, may attend and speak at every stage of the case.
Sentencing
Per the city's holding facility page, people the municipal court judge orders held go to CoreCivic in Florence. After a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, A.R.S. § 13-3601.01 requires an offender treatment program, with the cost on the defendant. If a jail report date or a counseling deadline is missed, a walk-in visit to the criminal courtroom can ask the judge to re-order it; the same courtroom hears requests to lift an MVD suspension or exonerate a bond.
Unpaid balances
The court's past due page says a balance left unpaid can be sent to state collections, taken from an Arizona tax refund or turned into a hold on renewing your vehicle registration. Payment plans are possible if you qualify, but they cannot be arranged online, so call or visit the court before a balance goes delinquent.
Warrants
Mesa issues warrants for missed appearances and for fines, jail time or counseling not completed as ordered. Its warrants page tells people with a warrant to take a number at Customer Service, and says a warrant that is not about fine payments has to be resolved before a judge. Call us before you walk in.
The justice court version
Javelina Avenue works differently. The justice courts hold arraignments and pretrial conferences virtually by default and keep trials in the courthouse, and their handout makes the pretrial conference mandatory, with a warrant for anyone who skips it. At that meeting the County Attorney's prosecutor gives you a copy of the police report and tells you what sentence the State would ask for after a conviction. You can then take a plea and usually be sentenced the same day, sign a plea agreement, or turn the offer down and set a trial. Any fine imposed there is payable the same day unless the Fines Manager agrees to spread it out.
Misdemeanor Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
Which side of a line the stop happened on
A Mesa misdemeanor can begin almost anywhere: a bar-close disturbance near Main Street and the light rail, a loss prevention stop at Mesa Riverview, a traffic stop on Southern Avenue or Power Road, or a call to a home in Dobson Ranch, Lehi or Eastmark. When Mesa Police wrote it, the case generally goes to 1st Avenue. When a trooper wrote it on one of the freeways crossing the city (US-60, Loop 101, Loop 202), or a deputy wrote it in an unincorporated pocket of the county, it can go to Javelina Avenue instead.
Mesa shares long borders with Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler and Apache Junction. A stop one block across the line belongs to another city's police, prosecutor and court, so read the agency and court printed on the citation before assuming anything about where you are going.
Misdemeanor Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
A former prosecutor and a flat fee
Nova Law Group was built by Ryan Tait, a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor. The practice is criminal defense first. We keep caseloads deliberately low, which means the lawyers on your case have time to actually watch the video and read the reports line by line. We take misdemeanor cases to trial when trial is the right pressure. Overcharging happens, and a case that is genuinely prepared for trial changes the conversation with the prosecutor. Most criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. Consultations are free and confidential.
Former felony prosecutorBuilt by a former Maricopa County Attorney's Office felony prosecutor.
Low caseloadsTime to watch the video and read the reports line by line.
Ready for trialA case prepared for trial changes the conversation with the prosecutor.
Flat feeMost criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. Consultations are free and confidential.
Our office
Meet us on Camelback Road
Office: 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018. We appear in the Mesa courts regularly. Mesa clients meet with us by appointment.
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Resources
Mesa courts and official links
Where a Mesa case is heard depends on the charge and the agency. Some courts are in Mesa and some are in downtown Phoenix. Each card has directions and the official website, so you can check details before you go.
Mesa Municipal Court
City misdemeanors, from arraignment to trial. Monday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Fridays. Public parking garage at 30 S. Pomeroy.
250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Mesa City Prosecutor's Office
Decides whether a city misdemeanor is charged and how it is resolved.
250 E. 1st Ave., Suite 222, Mesa, AZ 85210Southeast Justice Center
Home of the East Mesa, North Mesa, West Mesa and Highland Justice Courts. A misdemeanor reported by DPS or a Sheriff's deputy can land here. Your citation names the court.
222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Fourth Avenue Jail, Bond and Fine Room
Bonds and warrant amounts are paid here, at any hour.
201 S. 4th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003Laws cited on this page
- A.R.S. § 13-603, Authorized disposition of offenders
- A.R.S. § 13-604, Class 6 felony; designation
- A.R.S. § 13-3601.01, Domestic violence; treatment; definition
Common questions
Mesa misdemeanor questions
Paying is possible, but on a criminal charge it amounts to a conviction: A.R.S. § 13-603 treats a fine-only sentence as a final judgment of conviction. That conviction stays on your record, may be used as a prior for certain later charges, and can raise licensing, immigration or firearm questions. Mesa's ticket page draws the line: civil traffic can be resolved by paying, while a criminal charge requires you to appear. Get advice before you enter a plea of any kind.
It depends on the charge. The court's ticket page lists DUI and shoplifting or theft as jury eligible and says some other charges may qualify as well; the rest are bench trials, decided by the judge. Whether your particular charge carries a jury right is a legal question worth answering early, because the answer changes how a case is negotiated and prepared.
Not necessarily. Under Rule 6.1(b) and Campa v. Fleming, 134 Ariz. 330 (App. 1982), once the prosecutor avows that no jail will be sought and the judge rules none will be imposed, the right to an appointed lawyer is gone. Mesa Municipal Court's public defender page adds that nobody is appointed before the first appearance, that the judge reviews your finances, and that any cost turns on what you can pay. The conviction risk is the same either way.
A warrant may already be out. Mesa Municipal Court issues warrants for missed appearances, and its warrants page says people with a warrant check in by taking a number at Customer Service, while a warrant that is not about fine payments goes before a judge. If you already have a lawyer, the court's public defender page says to contact that lawyer first. We can pull the case record and decide with you how to approach the court before you go.
Because the agency that wrote the ticket, not the city you were driving through, often decides the court. Trooper and deputy misdemeanors can go to one of the four justice courts in the Southeast Justice Center, where the County Attorney prosecutes. Those courts hold arraignments and pretrial conferences virtually by default, require attendance at the pretrial conference and hold trials in person. Go by the court name on the citation, since four courts share the building.
Misdemeanor Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
Before the arraignment on 1st Avenue, call
Call (480) 405-6767. An arraignment coming up on 1st Avenue, a relative waiting on the morning in-custody hearing, or a warrant you just discovered: each is a reason to phone rather than fill out the form.
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.
Courts and offices: Mesa Municipal Court, 250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210, 480-644-2255 (Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Pomeroy parking garage behind the courthouse, 30 S. Pomeroy). Mesa City Prosecutor's Office, 250 E. 1st Ave., Suite 222, Mesa, AZ 85210, 480-644-2210. Mesa Police Headquarters (Friday, weekend and holiday in-custody viewing; after-hours bonds), 59 S. Hibbert, Mesa, AZ 85210. Southeast Justice Center, 222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210 (Highland, North Mesa, East Mesa and West Mesa Justice Courts, Suites A to D). Maricopa County Superior Court, downtown criminal complex: Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson St., and South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison St., Phoenix, AZ 85003.
Client reviews
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…”
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“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.
Reseñas de clientes
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 Mesa criminal defense lawyer
If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by a detective in Mesa, the decisions you make in the first few days matter. We defend misdemeanors in Mesa Municipal Court and the Mesa-area justice courts, and felonies in Maricopa County Superior Court downtown.
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.
Mesa courts
- Mesa Municipal CourtMisdemeanors from inside Mesa city limits. Monday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; closed Fridays.250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Court website Directions
- Southeast Justice CenterEast Mesa, North Mesa, West Mesa and Highland Justice Courts. Your citation names the court.222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Court website Directions
- 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
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 en Mesa
Si lo arrestaron, lo acusaron o un detective lo contactó en Mesa, las decisiones que tome en los primeros días importan. Defendemos delitos menores en la Corte Municipal de Mesa y en las cortes de justicia del área de Mesa, y delitos graves en la Corte Superior del Condado de Maricopa en el centro de Phoenix.
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 de Mesa
- Corte Municipal de MesaDelitos menores dentro de los límites de Mesa. De lunes a jueves, de 7:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.; cerrada los viernes.250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
- Southeast Justice CenterCortes de justicia East Mesa, North Mesa, West Mesa y Highland. Su citación indica la corte.222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210Sitio de la corte Cómo llegar
- 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
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.