If you have been cited for a criminal misdemeanor offense, you must appear at the Scottsdale City Court on the assigned court date. Criminal arraignments begin promptly at the time indicated on your citation. Criminal violations cannot be paid in advance.
Your initial court proceeding is called an arraignment. At the arraignment, you will be formally notified of the charges. You will be expected to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Plead guilty or no contest
If you plead guilty or no contest, your sentence may include financial sanctions, jail, programs, or community restitution. Please refer to the Fines & Restitution page for more information. If you cannot afford to pay the full amount of the court fines and fees, you may request a time payment plan at the front counter. Do not ignore your responsibility to pay the fines because of financial hardship as there are a number of payment options available from the court. If you are sentenced to jail, you may be eligible to participate in the court's Home Detention Electronic Monitoring (HDEM) Jail Alternative Program. You may also be eligible for a public defender if you are sentenced to jail.
Plead not guilty
If you plead not guilty, your case will be set to a future court date. At the pre-trial conference, you will meet with a prosecutor and discuss a possible plea agreement. Be aware that the City Prosecutor is not your attorney and he/she is prohibited from providing you legal advice on how your case should be handled.It is a requirement that all defendants appear by their scheduled appearance date and time.
If you have failed to appear for a criminal court appearance, an arrest warrant may be issued. A warrant may be satisfied by appearing in court. Please refer to the contact and hours information on this page for walk-in hours.
| Monday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Holiday Name | Holiday Date | Observed On |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Day | Wed, Dec 25, 2024 | Wed, Dec 25, 2024 |
Schedule above applies except the first and third Wednesday of each month, open 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday - Friday, 8 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
*Please Note: Client must be present with Attorney to be seen on walk in basis.
Petitions, motions, and requests for hearings may be filed at the court Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Judges are available to hear the following from 8:30 a.m. - noon and 1:30 - 5 p.m.