Superior Court

Get Oriented: What the Maricopa County Superior Court Actually Does

The Superior Court in Maricopa County is part of the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County, which is one of the largest trial court systems in the United States. It serves millions of residents across Phoenix and the surrounding cities, handling everything from serious criminal cases to family, civil, juvenile, probate, tax, and specialized matters.

The Superior Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction, which means:

It hears most civil cases where the amount in dispute is more than the limit for Justice Courts.

It handles felony criminal cases filed by the State.

It oversees divorces, legal separation, child custody, and child support matters.

It addresses issues involving children’s safety and welfare.

It manages the administration of estates after someone dies, as well as certain mental health cases.

It hears certain appeals from lower courts and administrative bodies.

You can explore the official structure and departments on the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County website through the main Superior Court home page.

The court is organized into departments that focus on specific types of cases. Understanding which department your case belongs to is the first step toward knowing what to expect.

Follow Your Case Type: Where Your Maricopa Superior Court Case Will Go

Civil cases: Lawsuits, contracts, injuries, and property disputes

If your issue is a disagreement over money, contracts, or property, your case likely falls under the Civil Department of the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Common examples include:

Contract disputes (for example, services not performed, unpaid bills, or business disputes)

Personal injury claims (such as car accidents or slips and falls)

Property damage disputes

Medical malpractice claims

Landlord–tenant matters that exceed the Justice Court’s jurisdiction

The Civil Department focuses on fair and lawful resolution between individuals, businesses, and government entities. It also includes:

Commercial Court for certain business disputes

Compulsory arbitration for some cases under a set monetary value, designed to resolve disputes more quickly and at lower cost

Tools to manage digital evidence and jury selection

To read more about how civil cases are handled and what services exist, you can review the official Civil Department information.

Helpful civil-side features

Within civil cases, you may see:

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs that offer mediation and other methods to try to settle cases without a full trial.

Court forms for filing complaints, name changes, garnishments, and more.

Information on whether your case will be heard in Superior Court versus a Justice Court, often based on the dollar amount at stake.

If you’re representing yourself, it’s especially important to use the court’s official forms and follow the rules closely.

Criminal cases: Felony charges and your rights

Felony prosecutions in Maricopa County are handled in the Criminal Department of the Superior Court. The State files charges against one or more people, and the Criminal Department oversees the case from the first appearance all the way through sentencing and post-conviction issues.

The Criminal Department handles:

Initial appearances and arraignments
Setting release conditions and bond decisions
Trials in felony cases
Sentencing hearings
Warrants, warrant quashing, and self-surrenders
Post-conviction matters

The official Criminal Department overview explains how the department works and links to key resources, including warrant information and specialized courts.

Specialized criminal courts

Within the criminal side, there are specialty courts designed to address particular needs:

Veterans Court for eligible defendants who are military veterans and may benefit from tailored services.

Criminal mental health courts for cases where mental health conditions are a key factor.

Regional Homeless Court, which helps people experiencing homelessness resolve certain minor offenses while connecting with services.

What if you miss a criminal court hearing?

The Criminal Department emphasizes that showing up on time is important. If you miss a hearing and think a warrant may have issued:

You should contact your attorney immediately.

If you do not know who your attorney is, the department’s information number, listed later in this article, can help you find the right direction after you look up your case online.

In many situations, your attorney can ask the court to schedule a new hearing and request that the warrant be addressed.

Family cases: Divorce, parenting time, and support orders

The Family Department handles legal matters involving family relationships and children. If you are going through a divorce, child custody dispute, child support issue, or similar situation, your case likely belongs here.

The Family Department deals with:

Divorce and legal separation
Annulments
Legal decision-making (custody), parenting time, and parenting plans
Child support and spousal maintenance (alimony)
Paternity and related issues
Conciliation and mediation services

You can see a full overview of services on the official Family Department services page.

Programs that can make family cases easier

The Family Department offers several structured services to help resolve disputes and move cases forward:

Conciliation services – Counseling and mediation to help families work through disputes and, in some cases, explore reconciliation.

Early Resolution Conference – A program focused on helping self-represented parties settle as many issues as possible before trial.

Decree on Demand – For certain default divorce situations, once time limits are met and paperwork is complete, you may be able to get a default hearing scheduled in an efficient way.

In addition, the Family Department has multiple regional locations, so you may be assigned to a courthouse closer to where you live or where your case arose.

Juvenile cases: Delinquency, dependency, adoptions, and more

When the case involves a minor, it may fall to the Juvenile Department of the Superior Court. This department focuses on protecting children’s welfare, rehabilitating youth where possible, and supporting families.

The Juvenile Department handles:

Delinquency – Cases where a youth under 18 is accused of committing an offense.

Dependency – Cases involving allegations that a child is abused, neglected, or otherwise in need of court involvement, often working with the Department of Child Safety.

Adoptions – Petitions to legally adopt a child and provide permanency.

Emancipations – For youth who want to obtain certain adult legal rights.

Guardianships – When a guardian is needed to care for a child.

Injunctions against harassment involving children under 12 in specific circumstances.

Severance – Termination of parental rights when legally appropriate.

The Juvenile Department offers information and links to forms, attorney resources, and online tools on the official Juvenile Department page.

This department also provides specific contact points for families who have questions, including a department phone number and email address, so that parents, guardians, and youth can get assistance understanding their next steps.

Probate, mental health, tax, and specialized superior court divisions

Not every case fits neatly under “civil,” “criminal,” “family,” or “juvenile.” The Maricopa County Superior Court also runs other key divisions:

Probate Department – Oversees administration of estates after someone dies, interprets wills, and handles contested estate issues. It also grants guardianships and conservatorships for adults and minors when needed.

Mental Health Department – Addresses cases involving court-ordered mental health evaluations and court-ordered treatment, focusing on safety and appropriate services for individuals living with mental illness or cognitive disabilities.

Tax Department – Handles disputes related to property and income taxes, including appeals of tax assessments, exemptions, penalties, and enforcement actions.

Regional Homeless Court – A specialized court for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering ways to address eligible warrants and certain minor offenses while encouraging connection to services and a path out of homelessness.

Lower Court and Administrative Appeals – Hears appeals from Justice Courts, Municipal Courts, and some administrative decisions, reviewing whether lower proceedings followed the law and constitutional standards.

These departments have detailed information pages through the Superior Court’s website, explaining the types of cases they handle and what parties can expect.

Use Official Online Tools: Check Your Case, Hearings, and Forms

One of the biggest advantages in Maricopa County is that the Superior Court offers robust online services. You can check case information, confirm hearing dates, and access court forms without visiting the courthouse.

Look up your Superior Court case online

If you know a case number, party name, or date of birth, you can use the official Superior Court case search tool to review basic case information, upcoming hearings, and other public details.

Use the Superior Court case search tool to:

Look up civil, criminal, family, and probate cases.
Confirm your next hearing date after you receive a notice.
Check which judicial officer is assigned to your case.
Verify the case number your attorney or documents refer to.

This tool is especially helpful if you misplace paperwork or want to confirm information before taking time away from work or family to go to court.

Check today’s calendar and public proceedings

If you just want to see what hearings are happening on a specific day, or verify a hearing you believe is set for “today,” you can use the Superior Court’s public calendar.

The today’s court calendar lists hearings scheduled for that date and often shows the time, courtroom, and case number. You can access it directly on the court’s official site through the today’s court calendar.

This tool can help you:

Confirm the time and location of a hearing.
See if your case appears as expected.
Look up public proceedings you’re interested in observing.

Get the right forms: Self-help for civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate

The Law Library Resource Center is one of the most helpful parts of the Superior Court system, especially for people representing themselves. It provides court-approved forms and instructions in multiple case types.

Through the Law Library Resource Center, you can find:

Civil court forms (for complaints, name changes, garnishments, and more)

Criminal court forms (for restoration of rights, sealing records, and other matters)

Family court forms (for divorce, custody, child support, parenting plans, and protective orders)

Juvenile court forms

Probate court forms

“How-to” guides and checklists that walk you step-by-step through common procedures

Many forms include detailed instructions to help you fill them out correctly and understand what to do with them once completed.

Use ezCourtForms to complete forms online

If you prefer a more guided experience, the court offers ezCourtForms, an online tool that asks you questions and then populates certain forms for you.

You can start from the official ezCourtForms online forms page, which connects you with the programs approved by the Superior Court.

This is especially useful for:

Divorce and family law filings
Some civil filings
Requests related to orders of protection and other common actions

Always review generated forms carefully before filing and keep copies for your records.

Take advantage of digital and online court services

Maricopa County’s Superior Court has invested heavily in technology and digital tools, including:

Digital and online courtrooms, where certain hearings may be held virtually.
Electronic recording services so hearings can be accurately preserved.
Online portals to manage digital evidence and attorney calendars.

These tools are designed to make the system more accessible, especially for people who may have difficulty traveling to a courthouse. Always read your hearing notice carefully: it will indicate whether your appearance is in person, by video, or by phone and will include instructions.

Prepare for Your Day in Court: Locations, Jury Service, and Missed Hearings

Confirm where to go and how to get there

The Superior Court in Maricopa County operates out of multiple buildings and regional centers, including:

Central Court Building in downtown Phoenix
South Court Tower
Intake, Transfer, and Release facility
Northeast, Northwest, and Southeast regional centers

Your summons, minute entry, or notice will tell you exactly where to appear. Courts in downtown Phoenix sit in a busy urban area with limited parking, so it is wise to:

Arrive early to find parking.

Allow time to go through security screening.

Bring your paperwork, including your case number if you have it.

Dress and behave respectfully; the court expects all parties to present themselves appropriately.

Parking is not validated by the court, so factor that cost and time into your planning.

Responding to a jury summons from Superior Court

If you receive a jury summons, it most likely relates to service in Superior Court. The court’s jury pages explain:

How to respond to a jury summons.
When and where to report.
Compensation rules for jurors.
What to expect if you are selected for a panel.

While not every juror will actually serve on a trial, the court treats jury service as a critical public duty. If you have conflicts or believe you cannot serve, follow the instructions included with your summons and use the official contact methods provided by the court.

Ignoring a jury summons can lead to additional issues, so always respond using the options shown in your summons or on the court’s official jury pages.

If you miss a hearing or think you have a warrant

Missing a scheduled hearing can create serious complications. In some situations, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest if you fail to appear.

The Criminal Department’s guidance emphasizes:

Contact your attorney immediately if you miss a hearing or know you will be late.

Your attorney can often file a motion asking the court to reset the hearing and address the warrant.

The court does not recommend appearing without understanding what is currently ordered in your case; you can use the online case search to confirm the status before you act.

If you do not know whether you have a warrant, the Criminal Department’s resources and warrant information pages can help you understand how to proceed, including options for self-surrender if applicable.

Work with Connected Offices: Clerk, Probation, and Support Services

Clerk of the Superior Court: Records, filings, and payments

The Clerk of the Superior Court is a separate office that works alongside the court. While judges and commissioners make decisions, the Clerk’s Office:

Maintains the official case record.
Accepts and processes filings.
Handles certain payments, such as probation fees and child support payments.
Issues marriage licenses and keeps related records.
Processes appeals and official certified copies of documents.

If your question is about filing documents, making a payment, or obtaining certified copies, you will likely need to work through the Clerk, not directly through a judge’s office. You can start at the official Clerk of the Superior Court website to find filing information, payment options, and contact details.

Adult and juvenile probation departments

The Superior Court’s Probation Departments supervise individuals placed on probation and help reduce the risk of reoffending.

There are two main probation divisions:

Adult Probation Department – Supervises adults on probation, monitors compliance with conditions, provides support and referrals, and offers services for victims of crime linked to probation cases.

Juvenile Probation Department – Works with youth and their families, including those on probation, in diversion programs, or detained pending hearings. This department develops case plans, coordinates services, and supports behavioral change.

Probation officers are part of the Judicial Branch, not law enforcement agencies. Their role is to help individuals successfully complete probation while holding them accountable to court orders.

If you are on probation, it is essential to maintain contact with your assigned probation officer, follow conditions closely, and use any offered support services. Failing to comply can lead to violations and possible incarceration.

Law Library Resource Center and legal research support

For people who cannot afford an attorney or choose to represent themselves, the Law Library Resource Center is a primary support structure within the Superior Court.

In addition to forms and instructions, the Center offers:

Online research tools.
Workshops and events.
Guides to legal terminology and writing tools.
Resources on civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate topics.

The Center does not act as your lawyer, but it helps you understand the basic steps you must take to move your case forward. Using official resources reduces the risk of relying on outdated or incorrect information from unofficial websites.

Contact Important Superior Court Departments and Offices

Below is a focused list of key Superior Court departments and offices in Maricopa County, along with addresses and phone numbers drawn from official court sources. These are intended as starting points for general questions and guidance.

Information Center – Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson Street; Phone: 602-506-3204

Criminal Department – South Court Tower, 175 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 (and other criminal locations); Phone: 602-506-8575

Juvenile Department – Central Court Building, 201 W. Jefferson Street; Phone: 602-506-4533

Maricopa County Superior Court FAQs

How do I look up a Maricopa County Superior Court case online?

You can look up most civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters using the court’s online case search. To get started, go to the “Search for Court Case Information” page and search by case number, party name, or date of birth. The portal shows case status, upcoming hearings, and assigned judicial officer where available. Visit the online case search tool at the court’s official site: Search for Court Case Information.

Where can I find official court forms for my case type?

All official self-help packets and forms for civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate cases are collected in the Law Library Resource Center. From there you can download fillable forms and instructions for things like divorce, name changes, garnishments, protective orders, and post-judgment requests. Start by visiting the court’s Law Library Resource Center and choosing your case type: Law Library Resource Center.

How do I check today’s hearings or confirm my court date?

If you want to confirm when and where your hearing is scheduled, you can use the public calendar. The Judicial Branch posts a daily schedule of hearings and public proceedings that can be searched by name, case number, or courtroom. This is especially useful to double-check last-minute changes. Go to the official Court Calendar page to review today’s schedule: Court Calendar.

How do I know which department should handle my case?

The Superior Court is organized into departments that focus on specific case types. Generally, civil handles contract, personal injury, and property disputes; criminal handles felony prosecutions; family handles divorce, legal decision-making, and child support; juvenile handles adoptions, delinquency, and dependency; probate handles estates, guardianships, and conservatorships; and tax handles tax disputes. The court’s Departments overview page explains what each department can do and links to more detailed information for each area.

How do I file a case or e-file documents in Maricopa County Superior Court?

New case filings and most subsequent documents are processed by the Clerk of the Superior Court. Many case types allow (or require) electronic filing, especially when filed by attorneys. Self-represented parties can also use approved e-filing options in certain matters, or file in person if allowed. For up-to-date rules, accepted filing methods, and links to electronic filing systems, review the Clerk’s official Filing Information page: Filing a Case.