In most cases, criminal misdemeanors investigated by Scottsdale Police are filed in the Scottsdale City Court. Scottsdale criminal courtrooms are inside the Scottsdale Justice Center, which is near the crossroads of East 2nd Street and North 75th Street.
Contact Information for Scottsdale City Court
Criminal Division Phone: (480) 312-2442
Criminal Division Fax: (480) 312-2764
Scottsdale City Court Hours of Operation
The Scottsdale City Court is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s closed on weekends and major holidays.
Scottsdale City Court’s walk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. These walk-in hours allow defendants to address a judge on issues like outstanding warrants and time extensions.
Scottsdale City Court Parking
Scottsdale City Court has free parking across the street from the building’s entrance. There’s also a free covered garage behind the building. Front parking is closer to the entrance, but the garage is useful when the front lot is full.
Tobin Law Office Provides an Experienced and Dedicated Criminal Defense at Scottsdale City Court
The Scottsdale City Court is a short distance from our Tempe criminal law office, and as such, defense attorney Tim Tobin regularly works with the Scottsdale police, prosecutors, and judges. Attorney Tobin is also a former prosecutor who prosecuted Scottsdale police cases. Tobin Law Office provides clients with an informed and experienced defense when facing the nuanced procedures and practices of Scottsdale.
If facing criminal charges in Scottsdale, it’s wise to consult an Arizona criminal lawyer who’s familiar with Scottsdale’s practices and government agencies. Of crucial importance, defendants should work with a criminal lawyer who’ll devote the time, effort, and compassion the case deserves.
Tobin Law Office Takes Away the Stress of Going to Scottsdale City Court
Our criminal defense firm handles all the paperwork so you don’t need to attend your arraignment. We can also attend court, in your place, for most hearings. For those who live outside Arizona, or a significant driving distance from Court, your case may be resolved without your physical appearance.
Your First Court Date at Scottsdale City Court is in Your Paperwork
Defendants usually get paperwork from police or the initial appearance judge containing their first court date at Scottsdale City Court. If you didn’t get a citation or see a judge, you may receive a summons in the mail with your court date. If you hire an Arizona DUI defense attorney to represent you in your Scottsdale City Court case, you won’t need to attend your first court date. If you represent yourself, you must attend all court dates.
What to Do When You Arrive at Scottsdale City Court
When you arrive at Scottsdale City Court, go through the front door and security. For obvious reasons, don’t bring weapons or illegal drugs. You cannot bring food and drinks into the building. Once through security, take a left and you’ll see large monitors on the wall; the monitors list every defendant along with the assigned courtroom and hearing time. Use these monitors to determine your courtroom and proceed down the hallway.
What to Wear at Scottsdale City Court
Formal wear isn’t required, but defendants should dress respectful. Business casual is recommended. Dress to make a positive impression on the prosecutor and judge. Avoid wearing hats, sunglasses, sandals, and offensive clothing.
Though children are permitted in the court building, we don’t recommend bringing children. If your child is distracting or interrupts court proceedings, the judge may get frustrated and ask you to leave the courtroom.
First Court Date: Arraignment at Scottsdale City Court
Unless you hire an Arizona criminal defense lawyer to attend for you, attendance at your Scottsdale City Court arraignment is mandatory. Your defense attorney can file paperwork to vacate the arraignment and set a conference with the prosecutor. If you choose not to hire an attorney, it’s important to arrive on time. If you don’t report to court, there will be an additional criminal charge for failing to appear, a warrant will issue for your arrest, and your license will be suspended.
Keep in mind, the judge won’t take testimony or evidence at your arraignment; there’s no opportunity to argue your case. The judge will only verify personal information, read the charges, explain your rights and penalties, and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Scottsdale City Court defendants have many opportunities, rights, and defenses that are only preserved by entering a not guilty plea. Once you say guilty, you may give up opportunities to negotiate a beneficial outcome in your case. Before you enter a plea, consult a Scottsdale defense attorney who regularly practiced in Scottsdale City Court.
The Scottsdale Judge may impose release conditions at your arraignment. These release conditions, if any, are highly dependent on the case facts, your history, and information available to the Court.
Court Dates after Arraignment: Pretrial and Case Management Conferences
Hearings before a trial, dismissal, or plea agreement are called pretrial conferences or case management conferences. During these hearings, you, or your defense attorney, will meet with the prosecutor to exchange evidence, negotiate, and discuss the case. Scottsdale criminal charges typically involve two or three pretrial hearings before resolution. Evidence is not presented at pretrial conferences.
Pretrial Motions
Occasionally, certain pretrial issues require evidence or argument before a judge. It might be a procedural issue, constitutional issue, or evidentiary issue, among others. It’s best to consult an experienced Arizona criminal attorney to determine if your case has issues that warrant a pretrial motion.
Trial
If your case cannot be resolved by plea agreement, diversion, compromise, or dismissal, your case will be set for trial to determine your innocence or guilt. During a Scottsdale City Court trial, a trained prosecutor will call witnesses, presents evidence, and make arguments to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
It’s Wise to Consult and Hire an Experienced Scottsdale Criminal Lawyer for Your Scottsdale City Court Case
If up against a misdemeanor, criminal traffic, DUI, or domestic violence case at Scottsdale City Court, you’ll want a seasoned defense attorney on your side from the start. A dedicated Scottsdale criminal DUI lawyer is in the best position to dismiss or reduce your charges, limit consequences, and protect your future.
Our law office consistently provides clients with professional criminal defense services in all types of Arizona misdemeanors. Here are some common matters we handle in Scottsdale City Court.
Scottsdale City court only handles misdemeanor cases. An Arizona misdemeanor carries up to a six months jail, $4,575 in fines and surcharges, financial assessments, probation, classes, treatment, community service, and more. Any misdemeanor conviction can leave you with a permanent criminal record. There are three misdemeanor classifications in Arizona.
Maximum jail for misdemeanors is listed in A.R.S. § 13-707
Maximum fines for misdemeanors are found in A.R.S. § 13-802
After adding surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs, your total financial obligation to the Court can exceed $10,000.
Loss of driver’s license and constitutional rights, treatment, counseling, classes, programs, community service, restitution, and more.
Misdemeanor DUI Penalties
Arizona imposes harsh and unforgiving DUI penalties. You can review our blog on misdemeanor DUI penalties here: Arizona’s Misdemeanor DUI Penalties.
Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Penalties
A domestic violence conviction carries lasting consequences that may impact gun rights, child custody, finances, and employment. In addition to potential jail, fines, and probation, anyone convicted of domestic violence must complete a domestic violence offender treatment program. It takes at least 26 weeks to complete and the cost of classes can be over $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions about Criminal Cases at Scottsdale City Court
What if there’s a warrant for my arrest from Scottsdale City Court?
If there’s a warrant for you, you’ll likely be arrested upon any police contact. In addition, warrants lead to the suspension of your driver’s license. If you have an active warrant, you’ll want to act. One option is to visit Scottsdale City Court and pay the bond on your warrant. When you pay the bond, the court will provide you a new court date. Another option is to visit a Scottsdale judge during walk-in hours. The judge can either quash your warrant or hold you in custody until you pay your bond. As such, you risk sitting in jail until the bond is paid. The third option is to hire a Scottsdale criminal defense attorney to handle your warrant. Tobin Law Office can help you with your Scottsdale warrant by either filing a motion to quash or personally appearing on your behalf. By us handling the motion, you won’t need to appear in person.
What if I cannot make it to my Scottsdale City Court date?
Not attending court is a bad idea. It results in a warrant for your arrest, additional charges, and the suspension of your Arizona driver’s license. If you cannot attend your Scottsdale court date, you have two reasonable options: hire a criminal defense attorney or visit Scottsdale City Court judge to request a new court date.
What if I live outside Arizona and have a criminal case at Scottsdale City Court?
It’s common for out-of-state defendants to hire a criminal defense lawyer in the state of the offense because it brings the benefit of avoiding costly travel to and from Arizona for court. If you’re a non-Arizona resident and facing charges in Scottsdale, contact the out-of-state Scottsdale criminal defense lawyers at Tobin Law Office today.
Contact Tobin Law Office for a Free and Confidential Consultation About Your Criminal Case at Scottsdale City Court
Complete our online form or give us a call; You won’t get voicemail. At Tobin Law Office, we have a friendly receptionist to take your call 24/7 and put you in touch with Mr. Tobin as soon as possible. Our consultations are always free, friendly, and without a sales pitch. Our attorneys offer information, options, and preliminary advice about your case. If you decide to hire us, we’re happy to hep you through this difficult situation.
