If you have received a traffic citation or have been charged with a low-level misdemeanor event within the city limits of Goodyear, you can expect your case to be heard in Goodyear Municipal Court. Understanding what is expected of you and how certain types of cases unfold in the courtroom can help you boost your confidence and prepare for your upcoming court date. Working with a respected Goodyear criminal defense attorney from Steven George Law could be your best option if you’ve hoped to clear your name of the charges against you and secure a favorable verdict in Goodyear Municipal Court.
Though facing traffic crime or misdemeanor charges can be overwhelming, with the right legal representative on your side, you may be able to get your charges reduced to a less serious offense or dismissed altogether. Here is more about how Goodyear Municipal Court handles certain types of offenses, your individual rights, and what you can expect from your court appearance.
How to Handle a Traffic Offense in Goodyear Municipal Court
If you have received a traffic ticket and have been ordered to appear in Goodyear Municipal Court, you should have received a court date and time at the bottom of your traffic complaint. When you appear for your court date, this is known as your arraignment. During the arraignment, you will need to enter your plea. Here are the three possible plea options:
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 plead guilty or responsible, you can pay the fine as described on your ticket before your court date to clear up matters sooner.
No Contest or Admit and Explain
If you plead no contest, you are not admitting responsibility or guilt, 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.
Not Guilty or Not Responsible
This is generally everyone’s plea at an arraignment. This gives a person time to hire an attorney and discuss options as well as discover the evidence the prosecutor will use against them. If you plead not guilty or not responsible, you are denying that you committed the infraction. The prosecutor will then need to prove their charges against you during a hearing or at trial.
Defensive Driving Class
In some types of civil traffic infractions, instead of pleading guilty or not guilty, you could agree to attend a defensive driving class and get a single moving violation dismissed. You must meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in Defensive Driving School as described by the City of Goodyear. Once you complete the class requirements, the school will notify the Goodyear Municipal Court and your civil moving violation can be dismissed.
Your Rights When Facing a Traffic Citation in Goodyear Municipal Court
When you are faced with a traffic citation and ordered to appear in Goodyear Municipal Court, you have specific rights. This includes:
- The right to a trial if your traffic offense is not a criminal traffic violation
- The right to be represented by yourself or a criminal defense attorney
Expect your hearing or trial date to be scheduled within four weeks of your initial court date. You must have notified the court of your intent to be represented by a criminal attorney a minimum of 10 days before the hearing date.
Sentencing in Goodyear Municipal Court
If you are found guilty or responsible in Goodyear Municipal Court, the judge or hearing officer presiding over your case will then sentence you. Penalties can vary based on the type of traffic offense or criminal charge you are accused of committing. For example, according to Goodyear Code § 18-1-3, failure to appear would incur a civil sanction fee of at least $50. Traffic infraction fines and fees can reach as high as $975 for a violation under 28-694A.
Making Payments in Goodyear Municipal Court
Goodyear Municipal Court accepts multiple payment methods, including cash, debit or credit card with a 5% convenience fee, cashier’s check, or money order. You can mail in cashier checks and money order payments to:
Goodyear Municipal Court, 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite B101, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Payments can be made by phone or online at http://goodyearcourtpay.com. Failure to pay the required restitution, fines, or fees could have serious consequences. You might face:
- Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
- Having your tax refund intercepted through Arizona’s debt set-off program
- Your balance being sent to a collection agency, subject to additional surcharges and default fees
Goodyear Municipal Court Contact Information and Directions
Goodyear Municipal Court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach the courthouse at 623-882-7200. To get there, visit:
14455 W. Van Buren St.,
Suite B-101
Goodyear, AZ
85338
Directions
- Take I-10 to Litchfield Road at Exit 128
- Follow Litchfield Road. south for 1.5 miles to Van Buren Street
- Turn right on Van Buren Street to 145th Avenue after 0.75 miles
- Turn left on 145th Avenue
- Goodyear Municipal Court is the second building off of Van Buren Street on the left
Consult an In-Demand Goodyear Criminal Defense Law Firm Today
When your case is to be heard in Goodyear Municipal Court, understanding the intricacies of the rules and regulations can help you maintain your reputation and potentially help you get the most favorable verdict possible based on the evidence against you and the circumstances at hand. Although going before a judge can be overwhelming, when you have a top-rated criminal defense attorney from Steven George Law advocating for your rights, you can breathe easier.
Our team will inform you of any Goodyear Municipal Court rules that you should be particularly aware of before you appear for trial. With our long-standing history working with Goodyear Municipal Court prosecutors, clerks, and judges, you can trust in our legal advice and support during this difficult time in your life. Fill out our online contact form or call us to schedule your confidential consultation as soon as today.
