CRIMINAL CASES AT UNIVERSITY LAKES JUSTICE COURT

If charged with a misdemeanor or DUI by the Arizona State University Police Department, the Maricopa County’s Sheriff’s Office, or the Department of Public Safety for an incident within University Lake’s Jurisdictional Boundaries, your case may be at the University Lakes Justice Court.

University Lakes Justice Court is inside the San Tan Regional Court Center on East Chicago Street, across from the Chandler Police Station within Chandler’s historic downtown area.

University Lakes Justice Court Location
201 E Chicago St Suite 101
Chandler AZ 85225

Contact University Lakes Justice Court
Phone: 602-372-3400
Fax: 602-372-3414

University Lakes Justice Court Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

University Lakes Justice Court Parking.
There’s plenty of free parking in front of the University Lakes Justice Court. There’s no covered parking stalls. There’s handicap parking near the front entrance.

Who is the University Lakes Justice Court Judge?

Judge Tyler Kissell, a politician, was elected Justice of the Peace for University Lakes in 2014. While Judge Kissell isn’t a lawyer, he’s an elected official with the requisite Justice of the Peace training. Judge Kissell earned his degree from ASU and was the vice president for the ASU chapter of young democrats. After graduating, Judge Kissell taught preschool in Africa. He then worked as a securities and annuities agent for Vanguard in Scottsdale, AZ. Judge Tyler Kissell was the Democratic candidate for District 12 of the Arizona State Senate in 2010.

Judge Kissel is known as a fair and impartial Judge. When valid defenses are raised and artfully presented by defense counsels, Judge Kissel makes just and fair rulings.

Tobin Law Office Offers Dedicated and Experienced Criminal Defense at the University Lakes Justice Court.

Located off the US 60 in Mesa, Tobin Law Office is only a few miles north of the San Tan Regional Court Center. With the Court being so close to our office, we consider University Lakes to be one of our home courts. Attorney Timothy Tobin, and his family, also live in Chandler nearby the University Lakes Justice Court.

Because Attorney Tobin practices at the University Lakes Justice Court often, he’s familiar with University Lake’s Judge and prosecutors. In fact, Attorney Tobin is a former prosecutor of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which is the agency that prosecutes University Lakes Justice Court cases. For these reasons, Tobin Law Office is well-practiced at University Lakes Justice Court.

When up against criminal charges in the University Lakes Justice Court, you should consult with a defense attorney who frequently defends clients at University Lakes Justice Court. It’s an added benefit when that criminal lawyer previously prosecuted for the prosecuting agency handling University Lakes cases. This offers valuable insight to the other side. And most importantly, you need a criminal defense attorney that’s willing to dedicate the requisite time and effort to your case.

What to do when you get to University Lakes Justice Court.

Once parked out front, enter through the front entrance. Once inside, the sheriffs will have you go through security and a metal detector. Don’t bring illegal items with you because you’ll be arrested and prosecuted. Once through security, you’ll go down the hallway and enter the courtroom labeled University Lakes Justice Court. Once in court, remember to be quiet and respectful. You shouldn’t talk or use your cell phone while inside the courtroom. Once your name is called, step forward to politely address the Judge.

What should I wear and bring to University Lakes Justice Court?

Dress appropriate and respectful. Avoid sunglasses, hats, flip flops, and ripped clothing. Also, don’t wear anything offensive or provocative. We recommend business casual for Court. You want to leave a good impression.

Bring the citation and paperwork for your case. Keep it organized in a folder or envelope. If you’ve fixed or cured any civil violation (license, insurance, registration, auto repair), bring that as well. In some circumstances, the Judge can dismiss a civil charges that you’ve fixed.

The Court doesn’t allow gum, candy, food, or drinks. Your cell phone must be turned off when you enter the courtroom. You can bring kids, but we don’t recommend it. If children cannot be quiet inside the courtroom during proceedings, the Judge will require them to wait outside. This is problematic if you’re the only adult.

The First Court Date at University Lakes: Arraignment.

Unless you’ve hired a criminal defense lawyer, then you need to be present for your first court date at University Lakes Justice Court. If you don’t show up, or even if you’re late, there can be additional criminal charges, a warrant for your arrest, and your driver’s license may be suspended.

At arraignment, the Judge will verify your identity, read the charges and potential penalties, explain your rights, and have you enter a not guilty plea. This isn’t the time to argue or explain fact, ask for mercy, or try to get your case dismissed. The judge will not entertain evidence, testimony, or dispositive motions at your arraignment.

Tobin Law Office almost always advises clients to plead not guilty. Defendant have many defenses, plea bargain options, and diversion programs that are avaialble. These rights and options are only preserved by pleading not guilty. And every if you think you’re guilty without a defense, this isn’t the time to take responsibility—it rarely helps you. Once you admit guilt, you cannot negotiate the charges, penalties, or dismissal, and you may lose out on the option to participate in a diversion program to keep your record clean. For those reasons, enter a not guilty plea and consult a criminal defense lawyer who regularly practice at the University Lakes Justice Court.

The University Lakes Judge will also order release conditions at arraignment. The release conditions will be based on your charges, the facts of your case, your criminal history, personal circumstances, victim input, and any other information available to the Court.

Tobin Law Office Takes Away The Stress and Complexities of the Arraignment at University Lakes Justice Court.

Tobin Law Office files the requisite paperwork for clients so that they don’t have to show up in person. And after that, we appear at almost all your future hearings for you. You won’t have to take time from work or family to attend several time consuming hearings.

Pretrial Conferences.

Pretrial conferences are the court appearances that take place before any trial, dismissal, or plea agreement. During each of the pretrial conferences, you, or your attorney, will meet with the prosecutor to discuss the facts, exchange evidence, and negotiate a resolution.

University Lakes Justice Court usually schedules several pretrial conferences in a criminal case. These are not formal hearings, as no evidence or testimony is taken. Instead, pretrial conferences serve to facilitate plea bargaining, pretrial issues, and case resolution.

For each of your pretrial conferences, you need to show up to Court on time. After you arrive, you need to sign the waiting list outside the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Tobin Law Office recommends, to those representing themselves, to arrive early because there can be a long line to see the prosecutor. You’ll notice that attorneys are typically heard first; this is because they’re given the professional courtesy, and further, they have several courthouses to attend.

When the prosecutor comes outside and calls your case, either you, or your criminal lawyer, will meet with the prosecutor to discuss the case. From experience, Mr. Tobin will tell you that prosecutors aren’t there to help you. No matter how friendly they may seem, never forget, it’s their job to convict you of a crime, get you punished, and move your case off their docket. They’ll see you as a number in a long line of cases. They don’t have concern for you future or personal life.

Trial.

If your case cannot be resolved by dismissal or plea bargain during the pretrial conferences, your case will be scheduled for trial where testimony and evidence is presented against you in an effort to find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. An experienced prosecutor would present the case against you at trial.

Look up Your University Lakes Justice Court Case at these links.

Find Your University Lakes Justice Court Case:  Justice Court Case Search
View the University Lakes Justice Court Calendar: University Lakes Justice Court Calendar

University Lakes Justice Court Penalties

University Lakes Justice Court oversees misdemeanor criminal offenses, which are those offenses carrying up to 180 days jail. There’s also severe financial penalties, probation, classes, treatment, and programs that may apply to each charge. Any misdemeanor conviction also leaves you with a criminal record.

Maximum jail for misdemeanors are 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 misdemeanor fines are in the Arizona Revised Statutes: A.R.S. § 13-802.

• Misdemeanor penalties easily 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 Misdemeanor Penalties. Probation, loss of rights, loss of gun rights, loss of driver’s license, treatment, counseling, programs, classes, community service, restitution, and more.

DUI Penalties: Arizona’s Misdemeanor DUI penalties.

Hire an Experienced University Lakes Justice Court Defense Attorney.

If you’re up against a misdemeanor or DUI charge at University Lakes Justice Court, it’s strongly advised that you retain a criminal defense attorney who regularly defends clients at University Lakes Justice Court. Your criminal lawyer will advise you of all your options, protect your rights and future, and navigate you through the confusing University Lakes Justice Court process. An aggressive and dedicated criminal defense attorney, who regularly defends clients at the University Lakes Justice Court, is in the best position to dismiss or reduce the charges, limit your penalties, and protect your future.

Tobin Law Office provides clients with knowledgeable and quality criminal defense for any type of criminal charge at University Lakes Justice Court. Here’s some of the more common charges we defend against at University Lakes:

• DUI
• Criminal Traffic
• Criminal Speeding
• Driving on Suspended License
• Misdemeanor 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

Contact Tobin Law Office for a Free and Confidential Consultation with Mr. Tobin.