Phoenix Municipal Court Records

Phoenix Municipal Court is the largest limited jurisdiction court in Arizona. It processes over one hundred sixty thousand charges each year from the state capital. You can search Phoenix court records through online portals for traffic cases, misdemeanors, and city ordinance violations within Phoenix city limits. For felonies and major civil cases, residents file in Maricopa County Superior Court instead. The Municipal Court serves only cases that arise within city boundaries and involve misdemeanor offenses or traffic violations. If you get arrested for a crime in Phoenix, the case starts here unless prosecutors charge you with a felony. The online search system is free to use and does not require you to create an account or provide personal information beyond the case details you are searching for.

Phoenix Municipal Court

The court is at 300 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Call 602-262-6421 for general information. Office hours are Monday through Friday from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon. Phoenix Municipal Court handles Class 1 misdemeanors with maximum penalties of six months jail and twenty five hundred dollar fines. The court also hears traffic cases and protective order requests. With over one hundred sixty thousand charges filed each year, Phoenix operates one of the busiest municipal courts in the state. The high volume means you may face longer wait times during peak hours. Try to visit early in the morning or schedule matters in advance when possible. The court building has security screening at the entrance so arrive early to allow time to get through security before your scheduled hearing. Leave weapons and prohibited items at home. Check the court website for a full list of items you cannot bring into the courthouse. Phoenix operates several specialty courts including Community Court, Veterans Court, and Behavioral Health Court. These programs offer alternatives to traditional prosecution for eligible defendants. Each court works with specific populations to address underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior. Community Court focuses on quality of life offenses in downtown Phoenix like trespassing, panhandling, and minor property crimes.

Veterans Court serves military veterans with service-related issues such as PTSD or substance abuse that stems from their military service. Behavioral Health Court helps defendants with mental health or substance abuse problems get treatment instead of jail time through a structured program of counseling, medication management, and court monitoring. You must meet certain criteria to qualify for these programs. Ask your lawyer or the court staff if you think you might be eligible for a specialty court program. These alternatives can help you avoid a criminal conviction if you complete the program successfully. Most programs take several months to complete and require regular court appearances to check on your progress. Failing to follow program rules can result in removal from the program and traditional prosecution of your charges.

Municipal Court does not handle felony cases or civil cases.

Search Phoenix Court Records

Phoenix offers online case search at phoenixcourt.gov/Payments/Search. This portal lets you search for cases and make payments online. You can look up cases by defendant name, case number, or citation number. The system shows case status, charges filed, court dates, and payment options for fines and fees. Use this tool to check upcoming court dates, find out how much you owe in fines or restitution, or verify that a payment was received and processed by the court. The portal updates regularly throughout the business day but may not reflect same-day transactions immediately. If you make a payment online, allow one business day for it to show in the system before assuming there was a problem. The court accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks for online payments. A small convenience fee applies to credit card transactions.

The main court website is at phoenix.gov. You can find court hours, locations, forms, and general information there. Self-service resources are at phoenixcourt.gov. These sites provide answers to common questions about court procedures, links to pay fines online, and information about how to handle your case if you choose to represent yourself. You can download forms for things like requesting a payment plan, asking for a court date change, or applying for community service instead of paying a fine. Read the instructions carefully before filling out any forms and make sure you file them with the court by the required deadline. For records not available online, visit the court office in person or call during business hours. Staff can help you locate specific cases or request copies of documents like judgments, plea agreements, or sentencing orders. Copy fees apply.

Fees and Copies

Record requests cost seventeen dollars per case in Phoenix Municipal Court. Copies are fifty cents per page. Certification adds seventeen dollars if you need an official certified copy for legal purposes. Audio CDs of hearings cost seventeen dollars each. These fees are set by the court and can change without notice. Check with the clerk before requesting copies to confirm current fees. If you need copies of multiple documents from one case, the court will calculate the total based on the number of pages. Some courts let you review the file in person for free before ordering copies so you only pay for the pages you actually need. You can pay fines and fees online through the court payment portal. The system accepts credit cards and electronic checks for most payments. In-person payments are accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the court office during business hours. If you cannot pay your fine all at once, ask about payment plans. Phoenix Municipal Court offers payment plans for people who need more time to pay. You must request a payment plan before the due date on your citation or court order. The court may require a down payment and proof of your income to set up a plan.

Note: Some cases may have holds or restrictions that prevent online payment.

County Court Records

Phoenix is in Maricopa County. For felony cases, civil cases over ten thousand dollars, family law, probate, and juvenile matters, you must use Maricopa County Superior Court.

Nearby Cities

Other major cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area also have Municipal Courts.