FAQ's

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions section of the Glendale City Court website. Below you will find a series of commonly asked questions. If you do not see the question you are looking for, please call us at (623) 930-2400.

Appeals

Maricopa County Superior Court reviews the decision of Glendale City Court based on the audio record of your hearing. An appeal is not a retrial of your case and you cannot present new evidence or testimony. You are responsible for all appeal charges and fees. You may appeal civil traffic findings, criminal rulings and civil orders.

Civil Traffic

You have the right to appeal a final decision of a civil traffic matter in this court by filing a Notice of Appeal within 14 calendar days of the responsible judgment. You are not required to pay the fine or post the bond to exercise your right to appeal. However, if you choose not to pay the fine or post the bond on the day the final judgment is entered, or do not make payment arrangements with the Court, a default judgment against you with additional fees will be assessed.

Criminal

You have the right to appeal a final decision of a criminal matter in this court by filing a Notice of Appeal within 14 calendar days of the guilty judgment. You are not required to pay the fine or post the bond to exercise your right to appeal.

Civil Orders

You have the right to appeal a final decision of a civil order in this court by filing a Notice of Appeal within 14 calendar days of the judgment.

Arizona Laws

Arizona laws can be viewed online at the Arizona State Legislature website.

Bond

If a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you are subject to immediate arrest until you complete one of the following options:

  • Pay online: Pay the bail amount ordered by the judge online at Glendale City Court Payments and select "Bonds"

  • Pay in Person: Come to the Glendale City Court and pay the bail amount ordered by the judge.

  • Pay by Mail: Mail a cashier's check or money order for the bail amount to the Court.

  • Glendale City Court 5711 W. Glendale Avenue Glendale, AZ. 85301

  • Request to quash a warrant: File a motion with the Court explaining the reason for your failure to appear and requesting that the warrant be quashed.

Paying your bond does not resolve the criminal charge(s) against you. You must still appear in Court on the date and time which will be given to you once the bail amount is received. If you fail to appear on that date and time, the bond you posted may be forfeited to the Court and another warrant will be issued for your arrest.

If your citation contained civil traffic charges, you may also receive an Order Regarding Civil Traffic Default Judgement which imposes civil traffic fines against you. Paying these fines does not release you from the criminal arrest warrant. The amount of your bond is in addition to any civil traffic fines which you owe.

 

Can I pay cash outside the Court?

Child Restraint (Seat Belt) Violations

Children Are Priceless Passengers (CAPP) is a voluntary program available to persons cited for violation of A.R.S. 28-907A & B (Child Restraint Law). Upon completion of the class and presentation of the certificate, the fine will be reduced to zero. Some attendees may obtain a new child safety seat during the class.

Classes are two hours in length and offered in both English and Spanish. Pre-registration and a fee of $35 is required. Only cash or money order payment will be accepted. Day care is not provided, and children are not permitted at the classes. For more information about the CAPP program, visit the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Occupant Protection page or call (602) 255-3216.

Civil Traffic Hearing

At Civil Traffic and Parking Violation Hearings, the officer will present evidence and may call witnesses. You will have the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and to question opposing witnesses. If you are found responsible, any fines imposed are due in full by 5 p.m. on the day of the hearing.

What is the Standard of Proof?

The Standard of Proof for a civil traffic or parking violation is called Preponderance of the Evidence; this standard is established when the evidence shows that it is "more likely than not" that the violation occurred.

May I attend Defensive Driving School if I am unsuccessful at the hearing?

You may not attend Defensive Driving School to remove the moving violation from your driving record. The Defensive Driving School is a diversion program intended to divert cases out of the court system and must be completed prior to a hearing date.

What will happen if I fail to appear at my hearing?

If you fail to appear, a default will enter in the amount of the standard fines, plus a $75 default fee per count and a $20 time payment fee per case.

May I have the assistance of an attorney at my hearing?

You may have the assistance of a retained attorney at a civil traffic hearing. However, a right to the assistance of an attorney provided by taxpayers (public defender), does not apply in civil traffic matters. A Notice of Appearance will need to be filed by your attorney at least ten calendar days prior to the hearing date.

How do I request a hearing?

To request a contested hearing, you can File a Motion, appear in person, or mail your request to the Court. A request to set a case for hearing cannot be taken over the telephone. The written request should include the following 4 items:

  1. Your name
  2. Citation or case number
  3. The words, "I want to enter a plea of not responsible and request a court hearing."
  4. A list of the charges for which the hearing is desired

Continuances

If you cannot attend your schedule court date, you must request a continuance in advance. Continuance requests can be filed online or in person.

Court Calendar

View the Court Calendar for upcoming cases with Glendale City Court.

General case information can be looked up online at the Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access Case Lookup.

Defensive Driving School

When you complete defensive driving school, the school notifies the Court and the charge is dismissed on your record.

For a complete list of defensive driving schools, visit Arizona Courts Defensive Driving School Information or call 1-888-334-5565.

For 1 continuance to complete defensive driving school, you can call the court at (623) 930-2400 prior to your court date.

For more information, call (623) 930-2400.

Divorce, Child Custody, Support

Glendale City Court does not have jurisdiction over cases involving divorce, child custody, or child support. Such cases are filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. For more information, visit the Maricopa County Superior Court website or call (602) 506-3204.

Domestic Violence Resources

Learn more about Safety Plans and other resources the Arizona Supreme Court has in place regarding domestic violence.

Dress Code

Casual business attire is appropriate for most court appearances. Tank tops or shorts are not appropriate for courtroom proceedings. Clothing with visible offensive wording is not permitted.

Fingerprints

Court ordered fingerprints are taken at Glendale Detention between Monday through Friday, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. To reach the fingerprint area, follow the red arrows to the back stairwell and go downstairs. Please bring a government ID and your fingerprint order. 

Map of directions to fingerprinting services(PDF, 567KB)

Glendale Ordinances

Glendale local ordinances can be viewed on the Municode website.

Language Access Plan (LAP)

The (PDF, 3MB)LAP(PDF, 255KB) document serves as the plan for Glendale City Court to provide services to persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The purpose of this plan is to provide a framework for the provision of timely and reasonable language assistance to LEP persons who come in contact with Glendale City Court.

If you believe you have not been provided effective language assistance for any Court or Probation proceeding or other service provided by the Court, please complete and return the Language Access Complaint Form to that particular Court to submit your complaint.

Marijuana Expungement

Marijuana Expungement Forms

Proposition 207 includes a new statute (A.R.S. § 36-2862) that authorizes some people to petition a court for an order that will seal their marijuana-related criminal records. Eligible petitioners are those who were arrested, charged, convicted, or acquitted of any of the following offenses:

  • Possessing, consuming, or transporting two and one-half ounces or less of marijuana, of which not more than twelve and one-half grams was in the form of marijuana concentrate;
  • Possessing, transporting, cultivating, or processing not more than six marijuana plants at your primary residence for personal use; or
  • Possessing, using, or transporting paraphernalia related to the cultivation, manufacture, processing, or consumption of marijuana.

The Arizona Supreme Court has adopted petition forms and instructions for people to use for this purpose. Access the Marijuana Expungement Petition Forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Marriage License

Glendale City Court does not issue marriage licenses. Marriage licenses can be obtained through the Superior Court. Please visit their website for further information: Marriage License | Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court.

Mental Health Court

Anyone who is receiving mental health case management services from Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care or another agency is eligible for Mental Health Court. However, not every offense is eligible to attend; DUI and indecent exposure are specifically excluded.

Participants who successfully complete all legal and clinical requirements and graduate from Mental Health Court earn diversion (dismissal) of their criminal cases in Glendale City Court.

In some cases, Mental Health Court can begin after a guilty finding when diversion is not available, but a participant remains in need of mental health services to maintain personal stability.

Parking at the Court

Street parking is available on 57th Avenue south of Glendale Avenue or in the public parking garage on the west side of 57th Avenue.

Map of parking(PDF, 566KB)

Pay Online

Online Payment System

Please have your Visa or MasterCard card ready, along with your citation or case number.

Pay Delinquent Fines Online

Online Delinquent Fines Payment System

Please have your Visa or MasterCard card ready, along with your notice or case number.

Self Service Center

The Self Service Center is a service offered by the Maricopa County Superior Court to help individuals assist themselves in court. Information is available in the following categories:

  • Court Forms
  • Protective Orders
  • Legal Resources
  • Law Library

To access these services, go to any Superior Court branch or visit the court system online.

Small Claims / Civil Suits

Glendale City Court does not have jurisdiction over civil lawsuits including small claims. For more information about filing a civil suit or small claims, visit the Maricopa County Justice Court website at Justice Courts Maricopa County - Home

Subpoenas

A subpoena is an order to appear and give testimony in court, issued by the Glendale City Court. Individuals can request a subpoena be issued by completing the necessary paperwork at the Court. It is the responsibility of the party requesting the subpoena to complete the form and ensure it is properly served on the person required to appear and testify. 

Suspended License

For more information, contact the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) at (602) 255-0072 or visit the MVD's website for more information.

Towed Vehicles

Please direct all towing related questions to the Glendale Police Department Towing Administrator online or call at (623) 930-3255.

Veterans Court

This court now offers Veterans Court - an alternative to traditional adjudication of criminal cases. Veterans Court connects eligible veterans with benefits, counseling, and other services. Our goal is to address underlying issues like PTSD and TBI and thus reduce recidivism. View and print the Glendale Veterans Court Participant Handbook(PDF, 398KB) for more details.

Victim Services

Victim Services are available through the City Prosecutor's Office (623)930-3323 and the Glendale Police Department (623)930-3030

 

Prosecutor's Office Victim Services | Glendale Police Department Victim Services

Warrants

If a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you are subject to immediate arrest until you complete one of the following options:

  • Pay online: Pay the bail amount ordered by the judge online at Glendale City Court Payments and select "Bonds"

  • Pay in Person: Come to the Glendale City Court and pay the bail amount ordered by the judge.

  • Pay by Mail: Mail a cashier's check or money order for the bail amount to the Court. 

  • Glendale City Court 5711 W. Glendale Avenue Glendale, AZ. 85301

  • Request to quash a warrant: File a motion with the Court explaining the reason for your failure to appear and requesting that the warrant be quashed.

Paying your bond does not resolve the criminal charge(s) against you. You must still appear in Court on the date and time which will be given to you once the bail amount is received. If you fail to appear on that date and time, the bond you posted may be forfeited to the Court and another warrant will be issued for your arrest.

If your citation contained civil traffic charges, you may also receive an Order Regarding Civil Traffic Default Judgement which imposes civil traffic fines against you. Paying these fines does not release you from the criminal arrest warrant. The amount of your bond is in addition to any civil traffic fines which you owe.