Arizona runs one unified, state-supervised court system. Whether you are paying a speeding ticket in Chandler, filing for divorce in Flagstaff or answering an eviction notice in Kingman, your case sits in a court that answers to the Arizona Supreme Court in Phoenix. The Supreme Court writes the statewide rules of procedure. The Administrative Office of the Courts supports judges, clerks and probation staff across all fifteen counties. Our directory lists justice courts, municipal courts, magistrate courts and superior courts so you can match a building to your problem.

That structure helps when you move or when a case crosses a county line, because the same rules apply everywhere. What changes is the courthouse, the local clerk and how far you must drive to reach them.

How the Arizona Court System Is Built

The Arizona Constitution, in Article 6, sets up the judicial branch in tiers. At the top is the Arizona Supreme Court, which has seven justices and the final word on state law. Below it, the Arizona Court of Appeals hears appeals in two divisions: Division One in Phoenix and Division Two in Tucson. Most residents never deal directly with either one.

The trial courts are where daily business happens. Each of Arizona's fifteen counties has a Superior Court with general jurisdiction. It hears felony prosecutions, divorce and child custody, probate, adoption, name changes, juvenile cases and larger civil disputes. The Clerk of the Superior Court in each county keeps the case files and also issues marriage licenses. Examples in our listings include the Maricopa County Superior Court on West Durango Street in Phoenix (602-506-4533), Coconino Superior Court at 200 North San Francisco Street in Flagstaff (928-679-7600) and Cochise Superior Court in Sierra Vista (520-803-3300).

Two kinds of limited-jurisdiction courts sit alongside them, and Title 22 of the Arizona Revised Statutes governs both. Justice courts serve precincts within a county and are led by elected justices of the peace. Municipal courts, sometimes called city magistrate courts, serve a single city or town. Both handle misdemeanors, civil traffic cases and protective orders. Justice courts also hear evictions and small claims, while municipal courts focus on city ordinance violations.

Which Arizona Court Handles Your Matter

Choosing the right building saves a wasted trip. Here is a rough guide:

Your citation or court notice normally names the court, its address and a deadline. Start there before searching anywhere else. Where the incident happened, not where you live, usually decides which court has the case.

Metro Phoenix, Tucson and Rural Arizona: How Courts Differ

Maricopa County is the busiest court region in the state, and Phoenix has more listings than any other city. The Valley is a patchwork. Several cities, including Chandler, run their own municipal courts, while county justice courts cover the surrounding precincts. East Mesa Justice Court (4811 East Julep Street), Surprise Manistee Justice Court (14264 West Tierra Buena Lane) and Buckeye Justice Court (100 North Apache Road) are examples. The Superior Court uses several locations around the county, so confirm the exact building and courtroom on your notice before you drive.

In Pima County, the Tucson listings include the La Placita Village Justice Court at 110 South Church Avenue (520-740-3171). Division Two of the Court of Appeals also sits in Tucson. Drivers and tenants there deal with a mix of city and justice courts, so check which one issued your paperwork.

Outside the two big metro areas, courts are fewer and farther apart. In Pinal County, listings run from Apache Junction at the edge of the Valley to Casa Grande, Florence and Mammoth. Cochise County has courts in Bisbee, Sierra Vista and Benson. Mohave County centres on Kingman and Bullhead City, where the Bullhead City Municipal Court is at 1255 Marina Boulevard. Gila County has magistrate courts in Globe and Payson, Navajo County has Holbrook, Apache County has St. Johns and Yavapai County has Prescott. La Paz County's Superior Court sits in Parker, and Yuma has its own municipal court. Coconino County, anchored by Flagstaff, is one of the largest counties in the lower 48 by land area, so a trip to the courthouse can mean a long drive.

Rural courts run on small staffs. A single judge may handle traffic, small claims and protective orders in one afternoon, and counter hours can be shorter than in Phoenix. Phone first. Ask whether your hearing can be held by video, whether you can pay by mail and who to see if you need an interpreter.

Tribal Courts Within Arizona's Borders

Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, and many operate their own court systems. The Navajo Nation, for example, runs its own judicial branch and extends across parts of Apache, Navajo and Coconino counties. State courts and tribal courts are separate. A dispute that happens on tribal land, or that involves tribal members, may belong in a tribal court instead of the state courts in our listings. If you are unsure, ask the clerk of the nearest state court or the tribal court office before you file anything.

Before You Go to an Arizona Courthouse

A little preparation prevents most problems on court day. Use this checklist:

Never skip a hearing because you are unsure of the process. A call to the clerk before your date costs nothing and often solves the problem. Courts are generally closed on weekends and state holidays, and clerks keep the official calendar, so they can confirm times when a website is out of date.

Courts in Arizona operate under a unified state judicial system that handles everything from traffic infractions and small claims disputes to major felony trials and civil litigation. The Arizona Supreme Court serves as the highest state court with authority over all state court matters.

Courts locations are available in 96 cities across Arizona. They are spread across 15 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Phoenix, Mesa, Surprise, reflecting areas where county seats and urban centers house multiple court divisions to handle high caseloads.

Residents of Arizona should know which court has jurisdiction over their matter — whether it is a municipal, district, circuit, or superior court — before filing documents or appearing for a hearing.

Courts by Counties

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Residents of Arizona who need to access court services should identify the correct court for their matter, check the court's website for filing fees, forms, and procedures, and consider using the court's self-help resources if they are not represented by an attorney.

Browse Courts by county across Arizona to find the nearest location.

Getting Help, Records and Payment Options Across Arizona

Arizona court records are public by default, with important exceptions. Juvenile files, adoptions, mental health proceedings and cases sealed by a judge are restricted, and some family court documents carry confidentiality limits. Many counties let you search case information online through the court or the Clerk of the Superior Court. If a file is not online, call the clerk and ask what the court needs to locate it. A case number and the names of the parties speed this up considerably.

Clerks and court staff can explain forms and deadlines, but they cannot give legal advice. If you are representing yourself, many Superior Courts run a self-service center, and the Arizona judicial branch publishes forms and instructions through its AZCourtHelp resource. Free civil legal help is offered by nonprofits including Community Legal Services in the Phoenix area, Southern Arizona Legal Aid in the Tucson region, and DNA-People's Legal Services, which serves the Navajo Nation and northern Arizona. Eligibility is usually based on income, so ask about it on your first call.

Money is the other practical issue. Fines, filing fees and surcharges are set by statute and court rules, and they differ by court and case type, so confirm the current amount before you travel. Courts typically accept card payments, money orders or cashier's checks at the counter, and many take payments online. If you cannot pay in full, ask the clerk about a payment plan or a fee deferral.

Arizona Courts: Frequently Asked Questions

Ignoring a ticket makes the problem larger. For a civil traffic violation, the court can enter a default judgment against you, add fees and report the failure to the Motor Vehicle Division, which can suspend your driving privileges. For a criminal traffic offense, such as DUI or reckless driving, missing court can lead to an arrest warrant. Check the date and court named on your citation, and call that court if you cannot attend. Many Arizona courts allow eligible drivers to attend an approved defensive driving school to have a civil violation dismissed, but this is limited to once every twelve months, and the court must offer it for your violation.

You file a petition with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where you or your spouse lives. Arizona requires that at least one spouse has lived in the state for ninety days before filing. After the other spouse is served, state law imposes a sixty-day waiting period before a judge can finalize the divorce, even if both of you agree on everything. Cases involving children, property or support take longer. Superior Courts in counties such as Maricopa and Coconino offer forms and self-service help for people without lawyers. Start by asking your county clerk for the current filing fee and the right paperwork packet.

You can request an order of protection at a municipal court, justice court or superior court. Ask for the forms at the clerk's counter or the court's self-service area. There is no fee to file the petition or to have it served by law enforcement. A judge usually reviews the request the same day, and the order takes effect once the defendant is served. The defendant can ask for a hearing to contest it, and the order generally remains valid for one year after service. Injunctions against harassment, which cover people outside a domestic relationship, may involve a filing fee. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first.

Both go to the justice court. An eviction action is filed in the precinct where the rental property sits, and small claims are generally filed where the defendant lives or does business. Evictions move quickly. The summons gives a short deadline to respond, often just days, so do not wait. Small claims is an informal division meant for people without lawyers, and the dollar limit is set by state law, so confirm it with the clerk. Examples in our listings include East Mesa Justice Court (480-985-0188), Apache Junction Justice Court (480-982-2921) and Nogales Justice Court (520-375-7760). Bring the lease, payment records, photos and any written notices.

Start with the county seat. The Apache County Clerk of Court is in St. Johns (928-337-7550), La Paz Superior Court is in Parker (928-669-6131), and Safford Magistrate Court (928-348-3178) serves Graham County. Rural counties often have several small courts, and one justice court may cover a very large area. Call ahead, because hours, staffing and security procedures vary from town to town. Ask whether your matter is heard locally or at the county seat. If you live far away, ask whether you can appear by video or file paperwork by mail.

Yes. Arizona courts accept applications for a deferral or waiver of filing fees and some surcharges, based on income, public benefits or financial hardship. You complete the form with the clerk where you file your case. A judge or clerk reviews it. A deferral means you pay later, while a waiver means you owe nothing for the covered fees. Bring proof such as benefit letters or recent pay stubs. Fines imposed in criminal and traffic cases are handled separately, so ask the court about payment plans before the due date. Courts are usually more flexible when you ask early.