The Phoenix Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction within the City of Phoenix. As a part of the Arizona State Court System, it is subject to the authority of the Arizona Supreme Court. It is the largest municipal court in the state of Arizona and is among the top 10 busiest municipal courts in the United States.
The court handles between 350,000 and 400,000 cases annually, including over 80,000 criminal cases. There are 375 employees who make up the staff of the court, including 26 full time judges and hearing officers.
The Municipal Court tries criminal and civil traffic violations, as well as non-traffic criminal misdemeanor cases. Some of the cases the court handles are: Driving Under Intoxication; reckless driving; leaving the scene of an accident; drag racing; child restraint violations; vehicle insurance and registration violations; moving violations (speeding, running a stop sign, traffic signal, etc.); unpaid parking tickets; assault; shoplifting; prostitution; indecent exposure; and trespassing. The court also handles Orders of Protection and Injunctions Against Harassment.
Courtroom Standards
While your case is proceeding through the court system, please observe the following standards:
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No weapons are permitted in the Phoenix Municipal Courthouse.
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Sit quietly in the courtroom whenever court is in session. The proceedings are being taped and background noise may interfere with the quality of the taped record.
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Reading newspapers in the courtroom, particularly if this causes a distraction, generally is not allowed.
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When addressing the Hearing Officer or Judge, stand a few feet back from the bench. Do not lean on the bench.
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No food, drink or gum chewing is allowed in the courtroom.
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Smoking is prohibited by law in all areas of government buildings. When you are free to leave the courtroom, you will find smoking areas available outside the court building.
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Avoid bringing small children to court. If you must, please monitor their behavior so that they remain quiet at all times. Parents may be asked to leave the courtroom if their child becomes noisy or unruly.
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Please wear suitable clothing to court. It is inappropriate to enter the court unless you are wearing a shirt and shoes. T-shirts that carry offensive slogans or pictures are not allowed. Hats should be removed before entering a courtroom.
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Under some circumstances, a defendant may be booked into jail immediately after a court appearance. In such cases, provision should be made in advance for care of children.
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