Tempe Court Docket Lookup

Tempe Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations that occur within Tempe city limits, serving a diverse community that includes Arizona State University and a large residential population. The court maintains an online case status lookup system at courtcaseinfo.tempe.gov where defendants and the public can search for court docket information by entering a case number or citation number. Each case generates a court docket that records all proceedings from the initial charge through sentencing, including arraignments, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, trial dates, and disposition information. The courthouse is located at 140 E. 5th Street in downtown Tempe and provides in-person services during business hours for those who need to file documents, make payments, or speak with court staff about their cases.

Tempe Municipal Court Cases

Tempe Municipal Court has authority over misdemeanor offenses in Tempe. Common cases include theft under $1,000, shoplifting, assault, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, and violations of city code. Traffic cases form a major part of the court's workload. DUI charges, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, and speeding tickets all go through Municipal Court. Each case receives a docket number that tracks the case from start to finish.

The court docket shows the defendant's name, the charges filed, all scheduled court dates, and what occurred at each hearing. If someone pleads guilty, the docket records the plea date and the sentence. If the case goes to trial, the docket shows the trial date and verdict. If charges are dismissed, the docket notes the dismissal. You can follow the progress of a case by reading the docket entries in time order.

The case status lookup portal at courtcaseinfo.tempe.gov allows you to search for cases by case number or citation number and view basic docket information online.

This screenshot shows the case status lookup interface where you can enter a case number or citation number to view docket details. The system displays charges, court dates, and case status information.

Searching for Court Dockets

Go to the case status website. Enter your case number or citation number. The number appears on any court paperwork you received. Hit search. The system shows your case information. You can see the charges. You can see your next court date. You can see if you owe any fines or fees. The docket lists all court appearances and what happened at each one.

If you do not have your case number, call the court at 480-350-8271. Court staff can look up your case by name and give you the case number. Then you can use the online system to view your docket. The online system is available 24 hours a day. You do not need to register or log in. The search is free.

The docket shows each step in your case. It shows when charges were filed. It shows when you appeared in court. It shows if your attorney filed any motions. It shows what the judge ordered. If you pleaded guilty, the docket shows the plea and the sentence. If you went to trial, the docket shows the verdict. All this information is part of the public record in most cases.

What Court Dockets Contain

A court docket is the official record of a case. It starts when charges are filed. The first entry shows the defendant's name, the charges, and the filing date. As the case moves forward, new entries get added. Each court appearance gets recorded. The docket shows the date, what happened in court, and what the judge decided. If the defendant enters a plea, that goes on the docket. If the case gets continued to another date, that shows up.

Motion entries appear when attorneys file legal papers. The docket shows when the motion was filed and how the judge ruled. Plea entries show plea agreements. The docket records what charges the defendant pleaded to and what sentence the court imposed. Trial entries list the trial date and verdict. Sentencing entries show the punishment ordered by the court. This might include fines, jail time, probation, community service, or mandatory classes. Closing entries mark when the case ends.

Most dockets are public. Anyone can look them up. Some information might be restricted. Domestic violence cases sometimes have protected details. Juvenile records are confidential. Mental health information is sealed. But most criminal and traffic dockets are open to the public. You can search by case number to see docket information online.

Maricopa County Court Jurisdiction

Tempe is part of Maricopa County. Municipal Court handles misdemeanors in Tempe. Maricopa County Superior Court handles felonies, civil cases over $10,000, family law, and probate. If a misdemeanor case gets charged as a felony, the case transfers to Superior Court. The Municipal Court docket will show the transfer. A new docket starts in Superior Court with a different case number.

Felony crimes like burglary, aggravated assault, theft over $1,000, and drug offenses go straight to Superior Court. They do not appear in Municipal 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 a separate case search portal at justicecourts.maricopa.gov. Each court system keeps independent records.

Court Location and Contact

Tempe Municipal Court is at 140 E. 5th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281. The court is in downtown Tempe near Mill Avenue. Public parking is available in nearby lots. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main phone number is 480-350-8271. Call with questions about your case, court dates, or payment options.

Walk-in services are available during business hours. You can file documents, make payments, or speak with court staff about your case. Bring valid identification. The clerk's office can answer procedural questions and process payments. They 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 copies of court documents, submit a request to the clerk's office. Include the case number and specify which documents you need. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies have an additional fee. Processing time varies based on the request complexity.

Other Municipal Courts in Maricopa County

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