Tempe Municipal Court cases in Maricopa County, Tempe, AZ
Tempe Municipal Court is a limited-jurisdiction municipal court for the City of Tempe, Arizona. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases (including DUI and domestic-violence-related misdemeanors), civil and criminal traffic matters (including parking), and violations of city ordinances. The court issues search and arrest warrants, accepts pleas, conducts initial appearances and arraignments, and processes Orders of Protection and Injunctions Against Harassment. It oversees compliance with court orders and collects fines, fees, and restitution. It does not hear family law, probate, juvenile dependency, or general civil lawsuits; those matters are handled by the Maricopa County Superior Court. The court operates as the city forum for misdemeanors, traffic violations, ordinance enforcement, and related pretrial proceedings.
Tempe Municipal Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Municipal Court |
| County: | Maricopa |
| Street Address: | 140 East Fifth Street |
| City: | Tempe |
| Zip Code: | 85281 |
| Phone: | (480) 350-8271 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Website URL: | https://www.tempe.gov/government/city-court |
| Parking: | Parking garage is located across the street. 1st hour is free, the court validates for an additional 2 hours. Meters are available, but there is no validation for these locations |
| Directions: | The Court is located in downtown Tempe, two blocks east of Mill Avenue on Fifth Street between Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and the Tempe Transportation Center. |
| Restrictions: | Visitors are required to pass through metal detectors Items brought into the courthouse go through xray machines |
| Forms & Filing: | Court Forms |
| Divisions / Services: | Defensive Driving School |
| Jury Service: | Jury Duty |
| Languages: | Documents are in English and Spanish. Onsite Spanish translators. |
| Email: | court-inquiries@tempe.gov |
| Special Access: | iPads for hearing impaired individuals. Sound amplifiers are provided to those who have hearing difficulties. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Tempe Municipal Court
Tempe Municipal Court serves the public by adjudicating limited-jurisdiction matters. Services include:
- Case types: misdemeanor criminal offenses; criminal traffic (e.g., DUI); civil traffic and parking; city code/ordinance violations.
- Case filings and processing: accepts complaints/citations, motions, requests for hearings or trials, and continuances; schedules cases; issues warrants and bonds; maintains records.
- Protective orders: files petitions and conducts hearings for Orders of Protection and Injunctions Against Harassment.
- Court hearings: initial appearances/arraignments, pretrial conferences, change-of-plea, bench and jury trials, sentencings, and compliance reviews.
- Jury services: juror summons and qualification, orientation, selection, service management, and payment/deferral.
- Payments and compliance: fine/fee payments, payment plans, community-service credit, defensive driving or diversion referrals when authorized.
- Public access: case information, certified copies, interpreters, ADA accommodations, and remote/online services where available.