Tempe Municipal Court Records

Tempe Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, and city ordinance cases within Tempe city limits. The court serves residents of this Maricopa County city with jurisdiction over minor criminal offenses and traffic violations. You can search Tempe court records through online portals or contact the court office for case information and document requests. For felony cases and major civil matters, Tempe residents use Maricopa County Superior Court which handles more serious criminal charges and large civil disputes. Municipal Court is limited to cases involving misdemeanor offenses with maximum penalties of six months in jail and city ordinance violations. 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.

Tempe Municipal Court

Tempe 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 city ordinance violations that occur within the city limits. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon though hours may vary by day so call the court at 480-350-8291 to confirm current hours before visiting. The court is closed on weekends and federal holidays. When you have a court date, arrive at least twenty minutes early to allow time for parking and going through security screening at the courthouse entrance. Bring your citation, summons, or court notice with you. Also bring photo identification. Check your paperwork to see which courtroom your case is assigned to or check the daily calendar posted at the courthouse. The court does not handle felony cases or large civil cases over ten thousand dollars. Those matters are filed in Maricopa County Superior Court which serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction for the county.

For small claims under three thousand five hundred dollars and other civil cases, you may need to use Maricopa County Justice Court depending on the case amount and location where the dispute or incident occurred. All Superior Court and Justice Court matters for Tempe residents are handled by Maricopa County courts at various courthouse locations. Tempe is in Maricopa County so felony charges, divorce cases, probate matters, and juvenile delinquency proceedings all go through the county court system rather than Municipal Court. Check with the appropriate court if you are unsure which court has jurisdiction over your specific case type. Courthouse addresses and phone numbers are available on the Maricopa County Courts website. Court staff can answer procedural questions.

Search Court Records

Tempe court records are available through the Arizona statewide Public Access portal at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess. This free search system covers Municipal Court cases from Tempe and many other courts across Arizona. Search by party name or case number to find case information including charges filed, court dates scheduled, case status, and disposition if the case is closed. Results update daily with new filings and court actions entered by court staff. You can search from any computer or phone without creating an account or paying fees to access the basic case information displayed in the public portal. The search shows case summaries but not the actual court documents filed in the case. For copies of specific documents like complaints, judgments, or orders, you need to request them from the court clerk. For specific information about Tempe Municipal Court cases, contact the court office directly at 480-350-8291 during business hours. Staff can help you locate cases and request copies of documents if you provide the case number or party names.

Check the city website for the current court address, hours, and any special instructions for visitors such as parking information or security procedures. When requesting records by phone, have your case number ready to help court staff locate your file quickly. If you do not have the case number, provide the full names of all parties and the approximate date the case was filed. Court clerks can search by name but having the case number makes the process much faster. Allow several business days for processing of copy requests especially for large case files with many documents. Fees apply for certified copies.

Fees

Tempe Municipal Court follows Arizona standard fee schedules set by the state Supreme Court. The minimum clerk fee is seventeen dollars per case for most services. Copies cost fifty cents per page for regular copies. Certification adds seventeen dollars if you need certified copies with the official court seal for use in legal proceedings or government applications. These are typical fees for limited jurisdiction courts in Arizona though individual courts may charge additional fees for specialized services. Payment can be made in person by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the court office during business hours. Some courts accept online payments through their website for fines, fees, and restitution. Check with Tempe Municipal Court for their current payment options and any online portals available for making payments without visiting the courthouse in person. If you cannot afford to pay court fines or fees, you may request a payment plan or fee waiver by filling out the appropriate forms available from the court clerk. Note: Fees may change, so verify current costs with the court before requesting services or filing documents. Call ahead to confirm exact fees for your specific request to avoid bringing insufficient payment.

County Court Records

Tempe is in Maricopa County. For felonies, civil cases over ten thousand dollars, family law, probate, and juvenile matters, use Maricopa County Superior Court.

Nearby Cities

Other major cities in the Phoenix metro area with Municipal Courts.