Thank you for your interest in the Maricopa County Justice Courts! The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is one of the largest, most innovative and progressive court systems in the nation. The Judicial Branch includes the Arizona Supreme Court and the Arizona Court of Appeals, Superior Courts and Justice Courts in each county, and Municipal or Magistrate Courts in each city.
There are 26 Justice Court Precincts in Maricopa County which handle a wide variety of misdemeanor offenses, from traffic stops to theft, plus small claims, evictions, and orders of protection. The average person is more likely to have contact with the Justice Courts than with any other judicial body, meaning we have a large volume of continuous work which significantly impacts the population.
Employment Information
We have a wide variety of jobs available in the Justice Courts, from court clerks to computer programmers and more. We hire for clerks most frequently and they are able to gradually move up in the organization. These are full-time positions and are recruited online.
Pro Tem Judges go through a different recruitment and hiring process.
Please see the descriptions below:
The Judicial Clerk supports the operations of the Justice Courts including servicing customers at the court windows, accepting fines and other payments, filing and processing court documents, and other functions in the courtroom such as acting as bailiff.
We frequently have Judicial Clerk openings and post them on the Maricopa County Careers web site. You will then search the listings for "Administrative Assistant" to see jobs in the Justice Courts.
It is a challenging and rewarding position with educational opportunities. This is an excellent way to begin a long-term career with the justice system.
Pro Tem Judges are an integral piece of the Justice Courts’ pie. A Pro Tem fills in for the elected Justice of the Peace when he or she is not available.
All candidates must meet the qualifications set forth in ARS 22-122 (be of good moral character, a qualified elector, resident of Arizona for at least one year prior to appointment). Additionally, Pro Tem Judges must be attorneys or a former Justice of the Peace/City Magistrate. All new applicants must have an existing JP as a sponsor.
The recruitment period opens in July each year and the deadline for applications is in mid-August. You may e-mail our Pro Tem Administrator at any time to express interest and receive more information.
Volunteer Information
No matter the cause or organization of choice, volunteers are a valuable resource and have an incredibly positive impact on their communities.
Given the types of cases handled by the Justice Courts, the volume of work is high and continuous. We rely on and welcome volunteers at all levels of the organization.
All volunteer positions are part-time. Read on for the various job descriptions:
Judicial Clerk Volunteer positions are part-time, but with the training and experience we provide, you will never be bored! You will offer much-needed support to the staff to assist in ensuring that the litigants’ journey through the court process is as timely and accurate as possible.
Each of our 26 courts may have differing needs so the tasks may vary and include helping staff with filing, processing court records, data entry, and mailing of signed documents.
Our expectations of you:
- minimum 15 hours quarterly (every three months)
- basic computer skills
- good communication skills
- ability to interact with the public and provide good customer service
You will gain:
- knowledge of court proceedings
- professional skills and networking opportunities
- satisfaction of providing a valuable community service
The Administrative Office Volunteer will not work in a courtroom but will report to our headquarters on Central Avenue in Downtown Phoenix.
Tasks here may include assisting with mail duties, fulfilling records requests, crafting social media posts or writing other materials such as grant requests or business correspondence. There may be outreach events to staff or other programs to develop.
Our expectations of you:
- minimum 15 hours quarterly (every three months)
- basic computer and office skills
- good communication skills
- ability to think proactively and as part of a team
This particular job description is being created during the months of June and July and may be further revised in the weeks to come.
Hearing Officers are volunteers who conduct small claims and/or civil traffic hearings throughout the 26 Justice Courts on behalf of the elected Justices of the Peace. One may volunteer to be an HO in both areas (small claims and civil traffic), or just one.
All candidates must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Maricopa County for at least one year prior to appointment and complete specified hearing officer-specific instruction and certification training.
All new applicants must have an existing JP as a sponsor.
The recruitment period opens in July each year and the deadline for applications is August 15.
Mediators are volunteers who help the parties in a case negotiate with each other instead of relying on a judge to make a final decision. Not all court cases qualify for mediation but those that do require a skilled leader to work with both sides.
All candidates for our mediator positions must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Maricopa County for at least one year prior to appointment, and have already successfully completed a mediation course of instruction and certification training offered by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office or have a combination of legal training, mediation training, and experience that may be substituted for the required certification from the AZ AG’s Office.
Mediator applicants do not require a judicial sponsor to apply.
The recruitment period opens in July each year and the deadline for applications is August 15.
Locations
There are 26 justice courts across Maricopa County. All but one (Ironwood in Gila Bend) are consolidated into a single building that holds four or five justice courts under one roof.
On the contact card below, please let us know which of the following locations would be a match:
| Southwest Regional Court Center | Northwest Regional Court Center |
| 105th Avenue & Van Buren Street | Litchfield Road & Greenway Road |
| Avondale, AZ 85353 | Surprise, AZ 85374 |
| Northeast Regional Court Center | San Tan Regional Court Center |
| 40th Street & Union Hills Road | Frye Road & Arizona Avenue |
| Phoenix, AZ 85032 | Chandler, AZ 85225 |
| Downtown Justice Center | Southeast Regional Court Center |
| 7th Avenue & Jackson Street | Mesa Drive & Baseline Road |
| Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Mesa, AZ 85210 |
Volunteer Screening
All volunteers will be subject to fingerprinting and a criminal background investigation to be eligible for work in the Justice Courts.