It is important to understand how the Glendale City Court handles cases like yours in order to prepare for your upcoming court date, and a skilled Glendale criminal defense attorney from Steven George Law can assist you to secure a favorable outcome. With an experienced attorney on your side, it is possible to have your charges reduced to a lesser offense or even entirely dismissed.
Steven George Law has extensive knowledge and years of experience defending the accused in Glendale City Court. Take steps to protect your future and avoid the serious penalties that come with a criminal conviction when you contact our office to schedule a confidential consultation. Fill out our secure contact form or call us at (480) 363-0090 to schedule your initial defense strategy session as soon as today.
What Happens When You Receive a Traffic Ticket or Misdemeanor in Glendale City Court?
If you have recently received a citation for a traffic offense or if you have misdemeanor charges within the City of Glendale, your case will be heard in the Glendale City Court. The Glendale City Court handles criminal misdemeanors and traffic violations committed within the City of Glendale, Arizona. Examples of cases heard in Glendale City Court include driving under the influence of alcohol, domestic violence, assault, hit-and-run, and reckless driving. In addition, the Glendale City Court can issue Orders of Protection and search warrants.
If you were taken into police custody on a traffic violation or misdemeanor offense, the judge will also determine whether bail should be set and, if so, how much. If you are granted bail, you will need to pay your bail bond to secure your release. The judge will also determine what your release conditions are.
Glendale City Court Contact Information
Glendale City Court is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for the second and fourth Thursday of each month, when the court opens at 8:30 a.m. The Court is closed on City Holidays. If you have a court date scheduled, you must appear at the following address:
Glendale City Court
5711 West Avenue
Glendale, Arizona 85301
You can reach the courthouse by calling (623) 930-2400.
Court Appearances
It is important to dress properly when you appear in Glendale City Court. 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.
Everyone who visits the Court must pass through a metal detector and place all personal belongings through an x-ray machine to be viewed. In addition, persons and personal belongings may be subject to a search.
Arraignment in Glendale City Court
At your arraignment, you will have the opportunity to enter your plea. There are three potential pleas, including:
Guilty or Responsible – If you are willing to accept fault for the offense you are accused of committing, you are guilty or responsible. You would plead guilty if you were accepting responsibility for committing a criminal offense, and you would plead responsible if you were accused of committing a civil violation. If you received a ticket with a fine, you could pay the fine as described on your ticket before your court date to clear up matters sooner.
Not Guilty – Most people plead not guilty or responsible at their arraignment. This will give you time to hire an attorney and discuss your options as well as discover the evidence the prosecutor will use against you. The prosecutor will then need to prove their charges against you during a hearing or trial.
No Contest or Admit and Explain – If you plead no contest, you are not admitting responsibility or fault, but you do not wish to challenge the City’s charges against you either. This allows the judge or hearing officer to enter a guilty or responsible ruling against you.
Pre-Trial Conference
Your pre-trial conference is an opportunity for your attorney to check in with the prosecutor on the status of the case. This can include discussing any outstanding discovery issues, and whether the charges against you can be reduced to a less serious offense or dismissed entirely. The prosecutor may offer a settlement in exchange for receiving a lesser sentence. After consulting with your attorney, you will have the option of accepting or rejecting the prosecutor’s settlement offer. If you reject the prosecutor’s settlement offer, your case will eventually go to trial.
Glendale City Court Trials
Depending on the type of crime you were accused of committing, your case could be heard by a jury or the judge presiding over it. The prosecutor is required to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction, according to the Arizona Judicial Branch’s Criminal Trial Process. If you are found not guilty, you will be released without penalty. However, if you are found guilty, you will either be sentenced at a later date or immediately following your guilty verdict.
West Valley Regional Veterans’ Court
Glendale City Court participates in the West Valley Regional Veterans’ Court. If you are a veteran who has served in the military and you want to be considered for the Regional Veterans’ court, Steven George Law can assist you in determining your eligibility.
The West Valley Regional Veterans’ Court is a treatment court intended to assist Arizona Veterans transitioning from military service in the resolution of their criminal case through a cooperative effort among judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, members of the Veterans Health Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs Justice Outreach program, human service agencies and Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care, working together.
Veterans’ Court is a voluntary therapeutic treatment program and each veteran, upon entry/acceptance, will participate in a specified treatment plan based on an assessment completed by the VA or other health care specialists. Treatment may include weekly individual and group counseling, drug and alcohol testing, mental health treatment, medical treatment, and regular attendance at recovery support/self-help meetings. If the following statements apply, you may be eligible to participate in the Veterans’ Court.
- Veterans who have served in the military and have been charged with a misdemeanor violation filed with any municipality participating in the West Valley Regional Veterans’ Court.
- Veterans whose case(s) cannot be processed through diversion programs.
- All Veterans regardless of military discharge, length of service, or if on active duty.
If you are facing charges in Glendale Municipal Court, do not hesitate to call Steven George Law.
Steven George Law has experience defending against a variety of different charges brought by the government in Glendale, including DUI charges, domestic violence charges, reckless driving charges and other Glendale criminal offenses. Regardless, we stand ready to protect your rights. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges and would like a free consultation with a passionate and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, call or text (480) 363-0090 to get the answers you need.
