Gilbert Municipal Court
Another east valley court close to home is the Gilbert Municipal Court. Also called Gilbert City Court (it’s still officially a town), this court serves all of the Gilbert area with a few minor exceptions. If you were arrested for a DUI or any other misdemeanor offense by a Gilbert police officer, you’ll likely be sent here.
But if you were arrested in Gilbert on an unincorporated part of town such as a Maricopa County island or highway, that’s a different jurisdiction and you’ll likely be sent to Highland Justice Court. It’s located in the same building but is not part of Gilbert. It’s operated by Maricopa County. One way to tell a difference is by the officers who cited you. Justice court cases usually only involve Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) or the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Like most courts, it’s not a fun place to be (just look at the reviews). But with some planning, the experience can be improved a bit.
ADDRESS:
Gilbert Municipal Court is located at:
55 E Civic Center Dr #101,
Gilbert, AZ 85296
WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION?
Gilbert Municipal Court has standard hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8AM to 5PM.
HOW CAN I FIND THE STATUS OF MY GILBERT CITY COURT CASE?
Gilbert Municipal Court does have online access. You can look up the status of your case here.
You can also make an online payment if you have any outstanding fines. You will need your case or citation number to make a payment. If you pay at the courthouse, depending on the time of day, expect lines. The court takes cash, personal checks, money orders and credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, and Discover only). But if you pay with credit card, you’ll be subject to an additional fee of $2.50 + 3.5% of the amount paid.
But if you’re posting a bond, the court only takes cash or money order.
With respect to self help, you won’t find anything too complex but there are some basic motion templates you can use. The court does not have a legal library. You would need to go to Superior Court for that.
IF I HAVE A PRIVATE ATTORNEY, DO I HAVE TO ATTEND EVERY COURT DATE?
Unless waived, you must appear for every court date. But an attorney can waive your presence in this court. Most misdemeanor cases, especially DUI cases, will last at least a couple of hearings before there’s a resolution in your case. This is so your attorney has enough time to research potential issues, negotiate your case, and prepare for trial. If your presence isn’t waived, you will need to make plans to miss work or school at least once a month until your case is resolved.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Always dress appropriately in court. Don’t wear shorts, flip flops, or other informal attire. Dress conservatively. I recommend at least business casual. It never ceases to amaze me what people will decide to wear in court. Remember this is your chance to make an impression in your case. Make it a good one. Although it’s just one factor in your case, you want it in your favor.
HOW’S THE PARKING?
Parking and accessibility in this court are good. The court is relatively easy to find and is in the middle of the government complex center right next to the Gilbert Police and Fire Stations. You can’t miss the sign in the picture above. You can park out front of the court for free. There’s plenty of parking spaces and I’ve never seen the lot completely full. The bad news is that it can be a hike and parking is not covered during those dreadful summer months.
HOW FAMILIAR IS THE HEATH LAW FIRM WITH GILBERT CITY COURT?
We’re a short drive away from court. In other words, we’re here all the time and familiar with this court, the judges and the prosecutors. That’s important to hire an attorney that can guide you through the process. It helps to have an advocate by your side that’s familiar with the ins and outs of the Gilbert Municipal Court because each court has its own unique quirks, do’s and don’ts. We’re familiar with them.
