If you need help understanding a legal issue in Arizona, Go To Court provides free general legal information 24/7. Jen is an AI assistant, not a lawyer, and the information is not personal legal advice. You may separately request a one-hour consultation with an appropriately licensed Arizona attorney for a fixed $195 fee, subject to availability, conflicts checks, and the attorney accepting the matter. Any advice, representation, or other work beyond that consultation requires a separate agreement with the attorney. Call 1-844-482-0277 to get information or request a consultation. Go To Court is building its US attorney network, so an attorney may not be available in every location or for every matter.
Practice Areas in Arizona
Counties in Arizona
Browse 15 county legal-information pages
The Court System in Arizona
Arizona operates a unified court system with four main levels that handle different types of legal matters across the state. At the foundation are the Justice Courts and Municipal Courts, which handle minor criminal offenses, traffic violations, small claims disputes, and preliminary hearings for more serious crimes. These local courts are found in cities and townships throughout Arizona and handle the majority of day-to-day legal matters that residents encounter. The Superior Court serves as the general trial court for each of Arizonas 15 counties, handling serious criminal cases, major civil disputes, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate cases, and appeals from lower courts. Each county has at least one Superior Court location, with larger counties like Maricopa and Pima having multiple facilities. The Court of Appeals serves as the intermediate appellate court, reviewing decisions from the Superior Courts and certain administrative agencies. Arizona has two divisions of the Court of Appeals - Division One in Phoenix and Division Two in Tucson. At the top is the Arizona Supreme Court, the highest court in the state, which reviews the most significant cases and has administrative authority over the entire court system. What makes Arizona distinctive is its unified structure that provides consistent rules and procedures across all courts, making it easier for attorneys and litigants to navigate the system. For official information about Arizona courts, visit the Arizona Judicial Branch website at azcourts.gov.
Major Courts in Arizona
The most significant courts in Arizona handle the bulk of serious legal matters across the states major population centers. The Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix is the largest trial court in Arizona, handling thousands of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases annually for the states most populous county. This court has multiple locations throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area and processes everything from felony criminal cases to complex civil litigation. The Pima County Superior Court in Tucson serves southern Arizona and handles similar matters for the second-largest county, including the University of Arizona area and the border region. The Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff serves northern Arizona including the Grand Canyon area and handles cases for a geographically large but less populated region. The Arizona Court of Appeals Division One in Phoenix reviews appeals from Superior Courts in Maricopa, Coconino, and other northern counties, making important legal precedents for the state. The Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two in Tucson handles appeals from Pima County and southern Arizona Superior Courts. Finally, the Arizona Supreme Court in Phoenix serves as the highest court in the state, located in the historic courthouse downtown. These courts form the backbone of Arizonas legal system, with the Superior Courts handling initial trials and serious matters, while the appellate courts ensure consistent application of law throughout the state. Each plays a crucial role in delivering justice to Arizona residents.
Free — available now
Have a legal question about Arizona?
Call our free hotline right now — available 24/7, no obligation.