1. Justice Courts in Arizona
Each county has justice courts that are presided over by a justice of the peace, who is elected for a four
year term. These include civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less, landlord and tenant
controversies, small claims cases and the full range of civil and criminal traffic offenses, including DUIs.
Justices of the peace also resolve other types of misdemeanor allegations (e.g. shoplifting, writing bad
checks, violating restraining orders) and, like other trial judges, also handle requests for orders of
protection and injunctions against harassment.
The number of justice courts in a county depends on its population. For example, there are 25 justice
courts in Maricopa County.
Criminal Jurisdiction - Some justices of the peace conduct preliminary hearings on felonies. All justice
courts hear every type of crime that is a misdemeanor under state law, including; Assault and Battery, DUI
(Including Extreme DUI), Bad Checks, Violations of Orders of Protection or Injunctions Against Harassment
& Underage Drinking.