Tempe Municipal Court

Located on Mill Avenue and E 5th Street the address is:

140 E 5th  St. Tempe, AZ 85281

Contact Information

Operation Time

The Tempe City Court is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The court is closed on certain holidays. If you believe that you have an upcoming court date on a holiday, call the court to make sure whether it is open.

Resources

What To Do When You Arrive At the Tempe Municipal Court

Enter through the Tempe Municipal Court front doors located on the south side of the building. Go through security, which requires that you take off your belt and place it in a bin along with anything in your pockets, including your phone and wallet.  Leave all food and drinks in your vehicle. After passing Tempe security, you will find screens with names and courtroom numbers on the left before you get to the elevators. The hearings are listed alphabetical by last name.  You likely will in courtroom 1 – 4 which are all located on the second floor.  If you do not see your name or have a question go to one of the windows on the second floor.

Steps To Take Once In The Tempe Courtroom

Once inside the Tempe courtroom, go through both sets of doors and look for a sign in sheet that is usually located at the desk in the middle of the courtroom.  Sign in on the clipboard as soon as possible because the cases will be called by the order of the list. You will end up waiting a long time if you forget to sign in. If you have hired a private attorney, wait for them in the courtroom or follow their instructions as to where to meet. If you have not hired an attorney, then wait for the Judge, Prosecutor, or clerk to call your name after you have signed in.

Dress Code at Tempe City Court

You do not need to wear a suit and tie to Tempe Court.  However, use common sense and dress appropriately to show respect to the judge and court staff. 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. Few judges have banned cell phones in the courtroom.  Most allow cell phones to be used but ask that the phones are turned to silent/vibrate.

What Happens At The First Hearing in Tempe Municipal Court?

The first hearing in Tempe City Court that is set after a criminal charge is the Initial Appearance or IA. If you are not present at that hearing, a warrant can be issued by the presiding judge. During the Initial Appearance, a judge will advise the defendants of their charges and will address release conditions.  If you hire a private attorney, they can ask that a non-guilty plea be entered on your behalf regarding all charges and that the court set the matter for a pretrial conference.

How Dove Law Firm Lawyers Can Help You at Your Initial Appearance (IA) in Tempe City Court

If you hire a Dove Law Firm Tempe attorney, we can file motions for you to be released on your own recognizance, vacate the initial appearance, meaning get rid of it and enter a not guilty plea.  If the court signs off on the motion, you will not need to show to the IA date and the court will set the next hearing, a pretrial conference. Our Tempe attorneys will obtain the date of the first pretrial hearing and attend that hearing in your place.  We will gather all the evidence and discovery from the Prosecutor and will provide you with constant updates.

Pretrial Hearings In The Tempe Municipal Court

After the initial appearance in Tempe Court, the next court date is named a pretrial conference or pretrial hearing. At that hearing your attorney will gather discovery, initiate negotiations with the prosecutor and present defenses on your behalf. The case should resolve within three or four pretrial hearings over a four-month period.  If it does not, the judge will often set if for trial.

DUI Penalties In Tempe City Courts

In the Tempe City court system, the Defendant will face jail time for DUI while fines and fees can vary enormously. There are four types of DUI that can be charged, and many different offers that a prosecutor can present. An experienced DUI lawyer will know the type of offer that contains the statutory minimums. For more information on the typical consequences and law regarding the different types of DUI in the Tempe DUI courts visit my page titled, Tempe DUI, or press the button below.

Why Hire A Tempe DUI Defense Attorney?

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