CRIMINAL CASES AT THE CHANDLER MUNICIPAL COURT (CHANDLER CITY COURT)

If you’ve been charged with misdemeanor or DUI by the Chandler Police Department, your case will likely be at the Chandler Municipal Court (Chandler City Court), which is located on E. Chicago Street, three blocks south of Chandler Blvd and two blocks east of Arizona Ave, next to Chandler Police Department in Chandler’s historic downtown area.

Chandler Municipal Court Location

250 E. Chicago St.
Chandler, AZ 85225

Contact Chandler Municipal Court

Phone: (480) 782-4700
Fax: 480-782-4752

Chandler Municipal Court Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM except holidays.

Chandler Municipal Court Parking.

There’s ample free parking at Chandler City Court. Right out front is a large parking lot with rows of covered parking stalls. There’s also handicap parking near the entrance.

Who are the Chandler Municipal Criminal Court Judges?

• Judge Alicia Skupin
• Judge Gary LaFleur
• Judge Michael Traynor
• Judge Maria Brewer (Civil Traffic)

Tobin Law Office Provides Experienced and Effective Criminal Defense at the Chandler City Court.

Tobin Law Office is conveniently located off the US 60 only a few miles north of Chandler’s Courts. Being so close, we consider Chandler City Court our home court. Mr. Tobin, and his family, are also Chandler residents, living a short distance from Chandler’s historical downtown.

Practicing in the Chandler Criminal Courts often, Tobin Law Office is familiar with the Chandler Judges, Chandler Prosecutors, and Chandler Police. Attorney Timothy Tobin is also a former prosecutor who regularly prosecuted Chandler Police Department cases. For those reasons, Tobin Law Office is experienced in the procedures and routines of the Chandler Municipal Court.

When facing a criminal charge in Chandler, you should hire a criminal defense attorney that’s familiar with Chandler’s Courts, Chandler Agencies, and Arizona law. It’s also imperative to have a Chandler criminal defense lawyer that will devote the necessary time and effort to your individual case.

When charged with a misdemeanor in Chandler, Arizona, you’re either cited and released, or processed at one of the following Chandler Police stations:

• Main Station, 250 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ 85225
• Desert Breeze Substation, 251 N. Desert Breeze Bl, Chandler, AZ 85226
• Chandler Heights Substation, 4040 E Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85249

Refer to Your Paperwork For Your First Court Date at Chandler Municipal Court.

You should have paperwork that lists your first court date at Chandler City Court. This paperwork is either the citation, summons, or release order. Your first court appearance at the Chandler City Court is called the Arraignment (Initial Appearance).

What to Do When You Get to the Chandler Municipal Court for Your First Court Date.

After parking and entering, you’ll need to go through security and a metal detector. Don’t bring illegal items or you’ll face criminal prosecution. Once through security, turn right and walk upstairs to the second floor. Once upstairs, go straight down the hallway to your assigned courtroom. You’ll notice that each courtroom has an assigned court number, as well as a monitor above the door. Your name should be listed on the monitor. Enter your courtroom and look for a sign in sheet. You should sign in to ensure that your case is heard promptly. It’s important to be quiet and respectful when waiting for you name to be called. Don’t talk in Court and don’t use phones, newspapers, or books. Once your name’s called, step forward to address the Judge. When addressing the Judge, stand a few feet back from the bench.

What to Wear and Bring to Chandler Municipal Court.

Formal wear is not required; nevertheless, you should dress appropriate. Avoid wearing hats, sunglasses, sandals, or anything offensive or provocative. Business casual is the best description of appropriate court attire. You want to make a positive impression on the judge and prosecutor.

Don’t bring gum, candy, food, or drinks, unless for medical reasons. Your cell phone, and other devices, should be put away in silent mode before entering the courtroom. Children are allowed in the courthouse; however, their presence in court during proceedings may be disallowed if the child is unable to remain quiet in the Courtroom.

First Court Date: Arraignment (Initial Appearance) at the Chandler Municipal Court.

Unless you’ve hired a defense attorney to go in your place, you must go to the Chandler City Court for your first appearance, which is called the arraignment. It’s important to show up on time. If you don’t show up, or even if you’re late, you face additional criminal charges, an arrest warrant, and the suspension of your driver’s license.

At arraignment, the Judge will verify your name and address, read the charges, explain your rights, explain potential penalties, and ask how you’d like to plead to the charges. Keep in mind, this isn’t the time to explain the situation, discuss facts, or ask for a dismissal. The judge cannot hear testimony or entertain a motion to dismiss until later hearings.

It’s very important to plead not guilty at arraignment. You have several rights, defenses, and opportunities, and they’re only preserved by entering a not guilty plea. Even if you know you’re guilty, the arraignment is not the time to take responsibility. Once you plead guilty, you give up the opportunity to negotiate penalties, negotiate a dismissal, or participate in a diversion program. You also cannot change your mind later. For those reasons, you should always enter a not guilty plea and consult a criminal defense attorney with experience in the Chandler Municipal Court.

The Judge will also order release conditions at arraignment. Your release conditions will depend on the facts of your case, your history, and any other relevant information.

Tobin Law Office eases the stress of the first court appearance at the Chandler Municipal Court. Tobin Law Office can file paperwork to avoid having to appear for most arraignments. We can also appear at future hearings in your place, so you won’t have to take time from work or family to attend several court dates.

After Arraignment: Pretrial Conferences.

The remaining court dates before a trial, dismissal, or plea agreement are pretrial conferences. These are where you, or your attorney, will meet with the prosecutor to review evidence and negotiate a resolution. Chandler criminal cases often have several pretrial conferences. Neither evidence, nor testimony, is taken at pretrial conferences. They’re merely informal discussions with the prosecutor to reach a plea bargain or dismissal.

Trial.

If the case is not settled during pretrial conferences, your case will be set for trial where testimony and evidence is presented to determine guilt or innocence.

You Can Look up Your Chandler City Court Case Online Here:

• Search Court case inquiry
• View the Court calendar

Chandler Municipal Court Penalties. The Chandler City Court handles misdemeanor offenses. A misdemeanor, in Arizona, carries up to 6 months jail, financial penalties, probation, programs, and more. A misdemeanor conviction can also result in a permanent criminal record.

Maximum jail for misdemeanors is listed in the Arizona Revised Statutes: A.R.S. § 13-707.

• Class 1 Misdemeanor: 6 months jail.
• Class 2 Misdemeanor: 4 months jail.
• Class 3 Misdemeanor: 30 days jail.

Maximum fines for misdemeanors is listed Arizona Revised Statutes: A.R.S. § 13-802.

The total fines and costs can exceed $10,000 after adding in surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs.

• Class 1 Misdemeanor: $2,500, plus surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs
• Class 2 Misdemeanor: $750, plus surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs
• Class 3 Misdemeanor: $500, plus surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs

Other Penalties.

Probation, loss of driver’s license and constitutional rights, treatment, counseling, classes, programs, community service, restitution, and more.

DUI Penalties.

DUI penalties in Arizona are harsh and intolerant. Review Tobin Law Office’s Blog on Arizona DUI penalties: Arizona’s Misdemeanor DUI penalties.

Hire an Experienced Chandler Defense Lawyer in Your Chandler City Court Case.

If you’re up against misdemeanor or DUI charges at the Chandler Municipal Court, you’ll want an experienced Chandler DUI defense attorney to protect your rights and interests. A dedicated and experienced criminal defense lawyer is in the best position to dismiss or reduce your charges, limit your penalties, and protect your future.

Tobin Law Office provides clients with professional criminal defense criminal defense for all misdemeanors in the Chandler Municipal Court. Here’s a list of the most common types of misdemeanor cases we handle there.

• DUI
• Criminal Traffic: Title 28 Offenses, Speeding, Reckless Driving, Aggressive Driving, Driving on a Suspended License, and more
• Drug Paraphernalia
• Contempt of Court and Failure to Appear
• Underage Drinking: Minor in Possession, Minor in Consumption
• Property Offenses: Theft, Trespassing Shoplifting, Property Damage
• Disorderly Conduct
• Assault
• Domestic Violence Offenses
• Expungement (Set Aside of Convictions)
• Probation Violations
• Municipal Code Violations
• Commercial Vehicle Violations

Frequently Asked Questions about Chandler City Court Criminal Cases.

What if I have a warrant from Chandler Municipal Court?

If there’s a warrant for your arrest from the Chandler Municipal Court, you’ll likely be arrested upon any police contact. Also, the warrant may be reported to MVD causing a suspension of your driver’s license. Tobin Law Office can help with outstanding warrants by appearing on your behalf and asking the Court to quash the warrant. This action will likely quash the warrant, avoid having to post bond, and avoid a license suspension.

What if I cannot make it to Court?

Simply not showing up isn’t an option. As mentioned earlier, this can result in an arrest warrant and the suspension of your driving privilege. Your options are to hire a criminal defense attorney to go in your place, or go to Court, in person, to file a motion or speak with the Judge during walk-in hours. You cannot ask for a new date over the phone: you have to go in person or hire a lawyer.

When are the walk-in hours to get a new court date or address my warrant?

Walk-in hours are between 8:30 – 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Keep in mind, these walk ins are not the time to discuss the underlying facts or allegations. These are primarily to address things like continuances and warrants.