Maricopa County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Maricopa County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Maricopa County.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Maricopa County Criminal Court
Prosecutor in Maricopa County
In Maricopa County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Maricopa County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Arizona. For the most part, the prosecutor in Maricopa County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Maricopa County Required Court Appearances
In Maricopa County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Right to an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Maricopa County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Maricopa County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
Maricopa County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Maricopa County will take place at the Maricopa County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Maricopa County Criminal Court Locations.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Sentencing in Maricopa County
In Maricopa County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Maricopa County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
I need help for my Maricopa County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Maricopa County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Maricopa County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
What happens in Maricopa County at an arraignment?
In Maricopa County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Maricopa County Criminal Court Locations
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Maricopa County Superior Court – Central
Address: 201 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-506-3204 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – Clerk of Court
Address: 601 West Jackson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-372-5375 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – Durango Juvenile Court
Address: 3131 West Durango Street, Phoenix AZ 85009
Phone: 602-506-4533 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – East
Address: 101 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-506-3204 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – Northeast
Address: 18380 North 40th Street, Phoenix AZ 85032
Phone: 602-372-7601 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – Northwest
Address: 14264 West Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise AZ 85374
Phone: 602-372-9400 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – Old Courthouse
Address: 125 West Washington Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-506-3668 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – Southeast
Address: 222 East Javelina Avenue, Mesa AZ 85210
Phone: 602-506-2020 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – Southeast Juvenile Court
Address: 1810 South Lewis, Mesa AZ 85210
Phone: 602-506-2544 -
Maricopa County Superior Court – West
Address: 111 South 3rd Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-506-3204 -
Agua Fria Justice Court
Address: 9550 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson AZ 85353
Phone: 623-936-1449 Fax: 623-936-4859 -
Arcadia Biltmore Justice Court
Address: 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-372-6300 Fax: 602-372-6412 -
Arrowhead Justice Court
Address: 14264 West Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise AZ 85374
Phone: 602-372-2000 Fax: 602-372-2620 -
Desert Ridge Justice Court
Address: 18380 North 40th Street, Phoenix AZ 85032
Phone: 602-372-7100 Fax: 602-372-7912 -
Downtown Justice Court
Address: 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-372-6300 Fax: 602-372-6406 -
Dreamy Draw Justice Court
Address: 18380 North 40th Street, Phoenix AZ 85032
Phone: 602-372-7000 Fax: 602-372-7911 -
East Mesa Justice Court
Address: 4811 East Julep Street, Mesa AZ 85205
Phone: 480-985-0188 Fax: 480-396-6327 -
Encanto Justice Court
Address: 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-372-6300 Fax: 602-372-6414 -
Hassayampa Justice Court
Address: 14264 West Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise AZ 85374
Phone: 602-372-2000 Fax: 602-372-2620 -
Highland Regional Justice Court
Address: 55 East Civic Center Drive, Gilbert AZ 85296
Phone: 602-372-8300 Fax: 602-372-8301 -
Ironwood Justice Court
Address: 209 East Pima Street, Gila Bend AZ 85337
Phone: 928-506-1589 Fax: 928-683-6412 -
Kyrene Justice Court
Address: 201 East Chicago Street, Chandler AZ 85225
Phone: 602-372-3400 Fax: 602-372-3494 -
Manistee Justice Court
Address: 14264 West Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise AZ 85374
Phone: 602-372-2000 Fax: 602-372-2620 -
Maryvale Justice Court
Address: 4622 West Indian School Road, Phoenix AZ 85031
Phone: 623-245-0432 Fax: 623-245-1216 -
McDowell Mountain Justice Court
Address: 18380 North 40th Street, Phoenix AZ 85032
Phone: 602-372-7000 Fax: 602-372-7910 -
Moon Valley Justice Court
Address: 18380 North 40th Street, Phoenix AZ 85032
Phone: 602-372-7000 Fax: 602-372-7910 -
North Mesa Justice Court
Address: 1837 South Mesa Drive, Mesa AZ 85210
Phone: 480-926-9731 -
North Valley Justice Court
Address: 14264 West Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise AZ 85374
Phone: 602-372-2000 Fax: 602-372-2620 -
San Marcos Justice Court
Address: 201 East Chicago Street, Chandler AZ 85225
Phone: 602-372-3400 Fax: 602-372-3468 -
San Tan Justice Court
Address: 201 East Chicago Street, Chandler AZ 85225
Phone: 602-372-3400 Fax: 602-372-3441 -
South Mountain Justice Court
Address: 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-372-6300 Fax: 602-372-6410 -
University Lakes Justice Court
Address: 201 East Chicago Street, Chandler AZ 85225
Phone: 602-372-3400 -
West McDowell Justice Court
Address: 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-372-6300 Fax: 602-372-6408 -
West Mesa Justice Court
Address: 2050 West University Drive, Mesa AZ 85201
Phone: 480-964-2958 Fax: 480-969-1098 -
White Tank Justice Court
Address: 21749 West Yuma Road, Buckeye AZ 85326
Phone: 623-386-4822 Fax: 623-386-5796 -
Avondale City Court
Address: 11325 West Civic Center Drive, Avondale AZ 85323
Phone: 623-333-5800 Fax: 623-333-0580 -
Buckeye Municipal Court
Address: 100 North Apache, Suite C-1, Buckeye AZ 85326
Phone: 623-349-6510 Fax: 623-349-61511 -
Carefree – Cave Creek Consolidated Municipal Court
Address: 37622 North Cave Creek Road, Suite B, Cave Creek AZ 85331
Phone: 480-488-1689 Fax: 480-595-9610 -
Chandler Municipal Court
Address: 200 East Chicago Street, Chandler AZ 85225
Phone: 480-782-4700 Fax: 480-782-4752 -
El Mirage City Court
Address: Mailing address: 12145 NW Grand Avenue, El Mirage AZ 85335
Phone: 623-815-2186 Fax: 623-815-3466 -
Fountain Hills Municipal Court
Address: 16705 East Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills AZ 85268
Phone: 480-816-5103 Fax: 480-837-8256 -
Gila Bend Municipal Court
Address: 209 East Pima Street, PO Box 648, Gila Bend AZ 85337
Phone: 928-683-2781 -
Gilbert Municipal Court
Address: 55 East Civic Center Drive, Gilbert AZ 85296
Phone: 480-635-7800 Fax: 480-635-7820 (Criminal) -
Glendale City Court
Address: 5711 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale AZ 85301
Phone: 623-930-2400 Fax: 623-937-8860 -
Goodyear Municipal Court
Address: 14455 West Van Buren Street, Suite B-101, Goodyear AZ 85338
Phone: 623-882-7200 Fax: 623-932-6936 -
Guadalupe Municipal Court
Address: 9241 South Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe AZ 85283
Phone: 480-505-5378 Fax: 480-505-5377 -
Litchfield Park Municipal Court
Address: 214 West Wigwam Blvd, Litchfield Park AZ 85340
Phone: 623-935-7091 Fax: 623-535-1831 -
Mesa Municipal Court
Address: 250 East 1st Avenue, Mesa AZ 85210
Phone: 480-644-2255 Fax: 480-644-2927 -
Paradise Valley Municipal Court
Address: 6517 East Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley AZ 85253
Phone: 480-404-7000 Fax: 480-404-7025 -
Peoria Municipal Court
Address: Mailing address: 8401 West Monroe Street, Peoria AZ 85345
Phone: 623-773-7400 Fax: 623-773-7407 -
Phoenix Municipal Court
Address: 300 West Washington Street, Phoenix AZ 85003
Phone: 602-262-6421 Fax: 602-534-3628 -
Scottsdale City Court
Address: 3700 North 75th Street, Scottsdale AZ 85251
Phone: 480-312-2442 Fax: 480-312-2764 -
Surprise City Court
Address: 16081 North Civic Center Plaza, Suite 105, Surprise AZ 85374
Phone: 623-222-4800 Fax: 623-222-4801 -
Tempe Municipal Court
Address: 140 East 5th Street, Tempe AZ 85281
Phone: 480-350-8184 (Civil/Traffic) Fax: 480-350-2790 -
Tolleson Municipal Court
Address: 8350 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson AZ 85353
Phone: 623-474-4975 Fax: 623-936-3925 -
Wickenburg Municipal Court
Address: 155 North Tegner Street, Suite B, Wickenburg AZ 85390
Phone: 928-668-0515 Fax: 928-684-0749 -
Youngtown Municipal Court
Address: 12038 Clubhouse Square, Youngtown AZ 85363
Phone: 623-972-8226 Fax: 623-933-4952