Surprise Court Docket Records

Surprise City Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations that occur within Surprise city limits in northwest Maricopa County. The court maintains a public court calendar that shows all scheduled hearings by date, which helps defendants and attorneys confirm their court appearances and track case progress through the docket system. Each case processed by Surprise City Court receives a docket number that tracks all proceedings from initial filing through final disposition, including arraignments, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, trial dates, and sentencing. The court facility is located at 16081 N. Civic Center Plaza and operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours to serve defendants, attorneys, and members of the public who need access to court services or docket information.

Surprise City Court Services

Surprise City Court has authority over misdemeanor offenses committed in Surprise. These include shoplifting, theft under $1,000, assault, disorderly conduct, criminal damage, and trespassing. Traffic cases form a significant portion of the court's work. DUI charges, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, and speeding tickets all go through City Court. Violations of city ordinances also appear on the court docket. These include noise complaints, property maintenance issues, and animal control matters.

The court homepage at surpriseaz.gov/181/City-Court provides information about court operations, hours, and services available to defendants and the public.

This screenshot shows the court's main website with links to various court services. The site includes information about filing procedures, payment options, and court calendars.

The court calendar at surpriseaz.gov/194/Court-Calendar displays all scheduled hearings by date, allowing defendants to confirm their court appearances and see what cases are on the docket each day.

The court calendar interface shows hearings organized by date and time. You can see case numbers, defendant names, and hearing types scheduled for each day.

Understanding Court Dockets

A court docket is the complete record of everything that happens in a case. When charges are filed, the court creates a docket and assigns a case number. That number stays with the case until it closes. The docket shows the defendant's name, the charges, and the filing date. As the case moves forward, court staff add new entries to the docket. Each court appearance gets recorded. The docket shows the date and what happened in court.

If the defendant pleads guilty, the docket records the plea date and the sentence imposed. If the case goes to trial, the docket shows the trial date and verdict. If charges are dismissed, the docket notes the dismissal and reason. Motion entries show when attorneys file legal papers and how the judge ruled. Sentencing entries show fines, jail time, probation, or other conditions ordered by the court. The docket creates a complete timeline of the case from start to finish.

Most court dockets are public records. Anyone can request docket information from the clerk's office. Some cases have restrictions. Juvenile cases are confidential. Domestic violence cases may have protected information. Mental health records are sealed. But most criminal and traffic dockets are open to the public. You can visit the courthouse or call to ask about docket information for specific cases.

Court Resources and Information

The about page at surpriseaz.gov/188/About-Surprise-City-Court provides background information about the court, its jurisdiction, and the types of cases it handles.

This screenshot shows the about page with details about court jurisdiction, procedures, and services. The page helps defendants understand how the court operates and what to expect during their case.

You can contact the court at 623-222-4800 with questions about your case, court dates, or payment options. Court staff can provide basic information over the phone. For detailed questions about your case or legal advice, you need to speak with an attorney. The court clerk cannot give legal advice but can answer procedural questions about how to file documents, make payments, or request copies of court records.

Maricopa County Court Connection

Surprise is located in Maricopa County. City Court handles misdemeanors in Surprise. Maricopa County Superior Court handles felonies, large civil cases, family law, and probate matters. If a misdemeanor case gets upgraded to a felony charge, the case transfers from City Court to Superior Court. The City Court docket will show the transfer date. A new docket begins in Superior Court with a different case number.

Felony crimes like burglary, aggravated assault, theft over $1,000, and drug offenses go directly to Superior Court. They do not appear in City Court records. Superior Court maintains its own docket system at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket. Maricopa County also operates 26 Justice Courts that handle misdemeanors outside city limits. Justice Courts have their own case search portal. Each court system maintains separate records. You need to search the appropriate court based on the type of case and where it was filed.

Court Location and Hours

Surprise City Court is at 16081 N. Civic Center Plaza, Suite 105, Surprise, AZ 85374. The court is in the civic center complex with parking available on site. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The phone number is 623-222-4800. Call with questions about court dates, payments, or procedures.

Walk-in services are available during business hours. You can file documents, make payments, or request copies of court records. Bring valid identification when you visit. The clerk's office can help with procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice. If you need legal representation, contact a private attorney or inquire about public defender services if you qualify.

Payments can be made in person, by mail, or online depending on the payment type. The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. For certified copies of court documents, submit a written request to the clerk's office. Include the case number and specify which documents you need. Fees apply for copies and certification. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies have an additional fee. Processing time varies based on the complexity of the request.

Other Maricopa County City Courts

Many cities in Maricopa County operate municipal courts. Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale, Gilbert, Tempe, Peoria, Avondale, Goodyear, and Buckeye all have independent court systems. Each court maintains its own docket. Cases filed in one city stay in that city's court. Search the appropriate court based on where the offense occurred.