CRIMINAL CASES AT THE SAN TAN JUSTICE COURT
The San Tan Justice Court is housed at the San Tan Regional Court Center on East Chicago Street, across from the Chandler Police Department in Chandler’s historic downtown area. The Court serves residents of certain areas of South Mesa, Gilbert, San Tan Valley, and Queen Creek. Because of its large jurisdictional boundaries, the San Tan Justice Court is one of the busiest justice courts.
San Tan Justice Court Location
201 E. Chicago Street, Suite 102
Chandler, Arizona 85225
Contact San Tan Justice Court
Phone: 602-372-3400
Fax: 602-372-3441
San Tan Justice Court Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM except state holidays.
San Tan Justice Court Parking.
There’s free parking in front of the San Tan Justice Court. If the front parking lot is full, there’s additional parking in back. There’s no covered parking stalls, but there’s handicap parking near the entrance.
Who is the San Tan Justice Court Judge?
Judge Samuel Goodman is the elected Justice of the Peace for San Tan Justice Court. He’s held the elected position since 2004. While Judge Goodman isn’t a lawyer, he’s an elected official with legal training. He completed the requisite Justice of the Peace training and is one of the more knowledgeable Justices due to his years of experience. Previously, Judge Goodman served as a pro tem judge in various justice courts; he also worked for the Arizona Supreme Court. His father, Gail Goodman, was the Judge of the East Mesa Justice Court.
Tobin Law Office Provides Experienced and Aggressive Criminal Defense at the San Tan Justice Court.
Tobin Law Office is located off the US 60, a few miles north of San Tan Regional Court Center. We also have a second office at the crossroads of Ray and the 101. Being so close, we consider San Tan Justice Court our home court. Mr. Tobin also lives a short distance from San Tan Regional Court Center.
Practicing at San Tan Justice Court often, Tobin Law Office is familiar with the San Tan Justice Court’s Judge and the Prosecuting Attorneys. Attorney Timothy Tobin is also a former prosecutor of the Maricopa County Prosecutor’s Office—the same office that prosecutes San Tan Justice Court cases. For those reasons, Tobin Law Office is experienced in the nuances and details of San Tan Justice Court.
If you’re facing criminal charges at San Tan Justice Court, it’s important to seek a criminal defense attorney who frequently practice at San Tan Justice Court. It’s also helpful if that attorney formerly prosecuted for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which provides insight to the other side. Lastly, it’s important to hire an attorney that will dedicate the necessary time and energy to your San Tan Justice Court Case.
Refer to Your Paperwork For Your First Court Date at the San Tan Justice Court.
You should have police paperwork listing the first court appearance in the San Tan Justice Court. Your first court appearance at the San Tan Justice Court is the Arraignment.
What to do at your first court appearance at San Tan Justice Court.
After parking, you’ll go through security and a metal detector. Do not bring illegal items into court because you’ll be arrested. Once through security, check in at the clerk’s window straight ahead. There are clearly marked signs directing which window to check in at. Once check in, you’ll go down the hallway and turn left into the courtroom labeled San Tan Justice Court. Remember to be quiet and respectful while in the courtroom. Avoid talking and don’t use cell phones or reading materials. When your name is called, step forward to politely address the Judge.
What should I wear and bring to the San Tan Justice Court?
While you don’t need overly formal wear, you should dress respectful. Avoid wearing hats, sunglasses, sandals, or anything considered offensive or provocative. Business casual is the minimum court attire. You want to make a positive impression on the judge and prosecutor.
Bring any citation or police paperwork related to your case. If you have proof of fixing what you’ve been charged with (license, insurance, auto repair, etc.), bring that as well.
Avoid gum, candy, food, or drinks, unless medically required. Your cell phone, and other devices, must be away in silent mode when in the courtroom. You may bring children to the Courthouse; however, if they cannot remain quiet in the courtroom, the Judge may require them to wait outside.
First Court Date: Arraignment at the San Tan Justice Court.
Unless you hire a criminal defense attorney to go in your place, you’re required to attend your court appearance. And you must appear on time. If you don’t show up, additional criminal charges will be filed against you, a warrant will issue for your arrest, and MVD will suspend your driving privilege.
At arraignment, the Judge will do the following: verify your name and address, read the charges, explain your rights, explain the range of penalties, and ask how you’d like to plead. This isn’t the time to discuss or argue the facts, ask for leniency, or seek a dismissal. The judge will not entertain motions to dismiss, testimony, or evidence. The prosecutor is not present for the arraignment.
Tobin Law Office generally recommends you plead not guilty. You have many defenses, plea bargain options, and programs to take advantage of; and they’re only preserved by entering a plea of not guilty. Even if you know you’re guilty without a defense, the arraignment is rarely a good time to take responsibility. Once you enter a guilty plea, you waive the right to negotiate down the penalties, negotiate a dismissal, or participate in a diversion program to keep your record clean. Once you say you’re guilty, you cannot change your mind. For those reasons, enter a not guilty plea and consult a criminal defense attorney who practices in the San Tan Justice Court.
Lastly, the Judge will order release conditions. The specific release conditions depend on the charges, facts of your case, personal circumstances, and any relevant information available to the Court.
Tobin Law Office Helps Take Away The Stress and Complexities of the Initial Appearance at the San Tan Justice Court.
Tobin Law Office will file the requisite paperwork to avoid you having to appear at your first court date. Thereafter, we can appear at future hearings in your place, so you won’t have to take time from work or family to attend several court dates.
Pretrial Conferences.
The remaining court dates that take place before a trial, dismissal, or plea agreement are called pretrial conferences. During each pretrial conference, you, or your attorney, will meet with the prosecutor to review evidence and negotiate a resolution.
San Tan Justice Court criminal cases often have several pretrial conferences. Neither evidence, nor testimony, are taken at pretrial conferences. They’re merely informal discussions with the prosecutor to try to resolve the case.
For each pretrial conference, you’ll need to show up to Court on time. You’ll be directed to sign in outside the Maricopa County Prosecutor’s Office located on the right side of the hallway. It’s advisable to show up early because there can be a long line to see the prosecutor. You’ll notice that attorneys are typically heard first.
When your name is called, either you or your attorney will meet with the prosecutor to negotiate and discuss your case. Mr. Tobin will tell your from experience that the prosecutors are not there to help you. While they’re not bad people, their job is to secure a conviction against you and move the docket. They view you as a number in a long line of cases. They’re not there to protect your rights, interests, and future.
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. A trained and experienced prosecutor would conduct the case against you.
You Can Look up Your San Tan Justice Court Case at these helpful links:
Search Your San Tan Justice Court Case: Just Court Case Search
San Tan Justice Court Penalties
The San Tan Justice Court only handles misdemeanor cases. In Arizona, a misdemeanor is a crime that carries a punishment of up to 180 days in jail. In addition, depending on the particular misdemeanor, there are several financial penalties, probation, programs, and more. A misdemeanor conviction can also result in a permanent criminal record.
Maximum jail for misdemeanors are listed in the Arizona Revised Statutes: A.R.S. § 13-707.
- Class 1 Misdemeanor: 180 days jail.
- Class 2 Misdemeanor: 120 days jail.
- Class 3 Misdemeanor: 30 days jail.
Maximum fines for misdemeanors is listed Arizona Revised Statutes: A.R.S. § 13-802. The
Court payments can actually exceed $10,000 after surcharges, 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.
Consult and Hire an Experienced San Tan Justice Court Defense Attorney.
When you face misdemeanor or DUI charges at the San Tan Justice Court, it’s crucial to have a defense lawyer that’s familiar with the San Tan Justice Court; that lawyer can guide you through the process while protecting your rights and future. A dedicated and experienced criminal defense lawyer, who regularly practice in the San Tan Justice Court, is in the best position to dismiss or reduce charges, limit penalties, and protect you.
Tobin Law Office provides clients with dedicated and aggressive criminal defense for all criminal charges in the San Tan Justice Court. Here’s a list of the most common charges we defend against there.
- DUI
- Criminal Traffic
- Driving on Suspended License
- 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
- Set Aside of Convictions (“Expungement”)
- Restoration of Rights
- Probation Violations
- Municipal Code Offenses
- Commercial Vehicle Violations
Frequently Asked Questions about San Tan Justice Court Criminal Cases.
Q: What if I have a warrant out of the San Tan Justice Court?
A: When you learn about a bench warrant from the San Tan Justice Court, it should be of great concern; you can be jailed upon any police contact. The Court may also report a warrant to MVD causing a suspension of your driver’s license. Tobin Law Office is confident in its ability to appear in Court on your behalf and quash the warrant. Quashing the warrant avoids posting a bond, losing your license, or being arrested.
Q: What if I cannot be at Court for my scheduled court date?
A: You have to show up, unless of course, you hire an attorney to go for you. When you don’t show up, a warrant will issue for your arrest, a bond will be set, and your license may be suspended. Your only options are hire a criminal attorney to go for you, or go to Court in person to ask for a new date. You cannot do this over the phone. The San Tan Justice Court doesn’t accept pleadings by email or fax.
Contact Tobin Law Office for a Free and Confidential Consultation with Attorney Tim Tobin.
Tobin Law Office
1910 S. Stapley Dr.
Suite 221
Mesa, AZ 85204
Phone: 480-447-4837
Fax: 480-447-4837
Email: tim@tobinlawoffice.com
