Maricopa County is one of the fifteen counties in the State of Arizona. It was established in 1871. About 4.5 million people reside in the county, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Arizona’s capital, Phoenix, is the county seat for Maricopa.

Courts in Maricopa County

Maricopa County has a three-tier judicial system, with the Superior Court serving as the county’s highest court. The Superior Court is spread across 12 different locations in Maricopa County. It has general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases beyond smaller courts. Criminal felonies, small claims above $3,500, and civil cases involving more than $10,000 in financial disputes are resolved at the Superior Courts. Residents also visit Maricopa County Superior Court to appeal cases heard at the Justice Court. 

Maricopa’s Justice Courts hear misdemeanor cases, small claims not more than $3,500, and civil lawsuits below $10,000 financial disputes. There are 26 Justice Courts in Maricopa County. These trial courts also preside over felony preliminary hearings and misdemeanors punishable by fines below $2,500 and jail sentences of not more than six months.

Cities and towns in Maricopa County have Municipal Courts with limited jurisdiction over ordinance violations and petty misdemeanors. Maricopa has 22 Municipal Courts, which may also be regarded as City or Magistrate Courts.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Maricopa County

Maricopa County public court records are often available at the clerk of the court where the case was filed. The court clerk maintains and grants access to the following public court records:

• Court transcripts
• Case dockets
• Judgments and orders
• Pleadings, such as complaints and answers
• Motions and responses
• Sentencing information

The Superior Court Clerk allows public access to court information online. Individuals can also request copies of court records via email, call, or in person. Maricopa’s Justice Courts maintain a unified case lookup online. To find public court records through this online repository, requesters must provide the case number or names of the parties involved.

Types of Public Court Records in Maricopa County

Requesters can find the following types of public court records in Maricopa County:

• Criminal case files
• Civil case files
• Probate case files
• Family records

Confidential Court Records

According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2220, confidential court records in Maricopa County include:

• Medical records
• Social Security numbers
• Financial information
• Mental health records
• Divorce settlements

Requesters must obtain court orders to access these documents. Some records may not be confidential but are sealed by the record holders. Accessing sealed records is also possible only by getting court orders.

Juvenile Delinquency in Maricopa, AZ

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Maricopa County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Arizona often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 109 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Of that total, 8% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 9 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Maricopa County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Maricopa County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Maricopa County, AZ

https://az.gov/

County Seat:	Phoenix
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1871
Total Square Miles:	9,224
2019 Population:	4,307,033
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00

Maricopa County, AZ Courts