Phoenix Municipal Court

What To Do When You Arrive At Phoenix Municipal Court

Once parked as explained above, enter through the front doors of the Courthouse. Go through security and in proceed to the elevators.  The first digit of the three digit courtroom number will be the floor number.  If you do not know what courtroom your hearing will be held, there is a help desk to the right of the elevators.

Steps To Take Once In The Phoenix Courtroom

When you arrive to the appropriate courtroom, go through both sets of doors and sign in on the clipboard. The cases will be called by the order of the list, so this is extremely important. You do not want to wait hours to then realize that you needed to sign in. If you have hired a private attorney, wait for them in the courtroom. If you have not hired an attorney, then wait for the Judge or clerk to call your name. Then step through the swinging doors to speak to the Judge.

Dress Code at Phoenix Municipal Court

Use common sense when dressing for court. Although suits and ties are not required, dress appropriately to show respect to the court system, prosecutor and judge. You never know what a good impression can do for your case. It is recommended that “Business Casual” is worn such as a dress shirt, polo shirt, slacks or nice jeans. Some judges have banned cell phones in the courtroom, but most allow them to be brought in if they are turned to silent. It is recommended to simply turn your cell phone off, while in the courtroom. If you must have it on, make sure the ringer is turned off.

What Happens At The First Hearing?

Based on the paperwork that you have been given or served by an officer of the court, you will need to appear to your IA, unless you have hired an attorney. If you do not show, a warrant or other negative consequences can be ordered by the presiding judge. During the Initial Appearance, a judge will advise the defendants of their charges and will address release conditions.

How Lawyers Help Your Initial Appearance (IA)

If you hire a Dove Law Firm DUI attorney, we can file motions for you to be released on your own recognizance, vacate the initial appearance, enter a not guilty plea and set for a pretrial hearing. Once this motion is granted by the court, you will no longer need to show to the court date listed on your summons. Our attorneys will also attend subsequent hearings enabling you to avoid missing work. We will gather all the evidence and discovery and negotiate or inform the Prosecutor in your case.

Pretrial Hearings In The Phoenix Municipal Court

After the initial appearance, the following court date is named pretrial conference or pretrial hearing. The pretrial conference is where you or your attorney will gather evidence and discovery from the prosecutor and initiate negotiations, which include plea negotiations and defenses. Most of the time, the court will hold two to four pretrial conferences in an effort to resolve the case. If it cannot, the judge will set for a trial.

DUI Penalties In The City of Phoenix Court

In the Phoenix court system, the Defendant can face jail time, fines and fees can vary enormously. There are multiple types of DUI that can be charged, and many offers a prosecutor can present. The number of possible outcomes are too vast to name within this article. For more information on the typical consequences and law regarding the different types of DUI in the City of Phoenix DUI court visit my page titled, Mesa DUI or press the button below.

Why Hire A Phoenix DUI Defense Attorney?

Dove Law Firm’s DUI attorneys will guide you through the difficult and complicated process of the Phoenix Municipal Court system. Your rights will be protected, and you will receive expert advice regarding your current situation. Having been raised in Mesa, Shawn Dove is comfortable with addressing all courts within the Phoenix metro area and beyond.