Court Guides • Maricopa County
Maricopa County Courts and How Bail Flows Through Them
Bail is set at the initial appearance, posted at the jail, and follows the case into the court that handles it. Here is who handles what.
Courts That Handle Valley Criminal Cases
Maricopa County Superior Court
The trial court for every felony case in Maricopa County, from drug possession to homicide, plus felony DUI, aggravated assault and all probation violations on felony cases.
Learn more →Maricopa County Initial Appearance Court
The around-the-clock court where every person booked into Maricopa County custody sees a judicial officer within 24 hours of arrest and learns whether they will be released and on what conditions.
Learn more →Phoenix Municipal Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the City of Phoenix, including misdemeanor DUI, assault, shoplifting, disorderly conduct and domestic violence misdemeanors.
Learn more →Mesa Municipal Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the City of Mesa.
Learn more →Chandler Municipal Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the City of Chandler.
Learn more →Glendale City Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the City of Glendale, including many event-night cases from the Westgate area.
Learn more →Scottsdale City Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the City of Scottsdale, including Old Town DUI and disorderly conduct cases.
Learn more →Tempe Municipal Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the City of Tempe, including many cases involving ASU students.
Learn more →Gilbert Municipal Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the Town of Gilbert.
Learn more →Peoria Municipal Court
The court for misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases charged by the City of Peoria.
Learn more →Maricopa County Justice Courts
The 26 justice court precincts that handle misdemeanors, criminal traffic and preliminary matters for arrests by the Sheriff's Office, DPS and smaller cities and towns without their own municipal court.
Learn more →How Bail Moves Through the System
Every person booked into Maricopa County custody sees a judicial officer at the Initial Appearance Court within 24 hours of arrest. That hearing sets release conditions and any bail. The bond is posted at the 4th Avenue Jail Bond and Fine Room, and the case is then assigned: felonies to Superior Court, city misdemeanors to that city's municipal court, and Sheriff's Office, DPS and small-town misdemeanors to a justice court. The bond follows the case; you do not post again when the case moves.
Bail can be changed later. A defense attorney can file a motion to modify release conditions, and the assigned judge can lower, raise or convert the bond. If bail is reduced before we post, the premium is based on the lower amount. Missing any court date produces a bench warrant and can forfeit the bond; see warrants.
Common Questions
What happens at an initial appearance in Maricopa County?
Within 24 hours of arrest, the defendant appears before a judicial officer, who informs them of the charges, confirms identity and address, considers the state's and defense's input, and sets release conditions: own recognizance, pretrial services, an unsecured bond, a secured appearance bond that can be posted in cash or by a bail agent, or a cash-only bond. Later court dates are also set.
What does released on own recognizance mean?
It means the court released the defendant on a written promise to appear, without requiring any money or bond. Judges grant own recognizance release for many first-time misdemeanors and some lower felonies when the person has community ties and no history of missing court. Conditions such as pretrial services check-ins may still apply.