East Mesa Justice Court

The East Mesa Justice Court is a limited jurisdiction court that handles minor offenses such as misdemeanor crimes and traffic violations that occurred within the boundaries of the court (a map of the precinct is below). The boundaries are Copper Canyon Street to the North, Baseline Road to the south, Meridian Road to the east and Ashbrook to the west.

Basic Information

Court Address

4811 E. Julep
Mesa, AZ 85205

Court Information

• Judge: Keith Russell
• Phone: (602) 506-8117
• Fax: none
• Email Form: Form

Parking and Security Information

• Park in the front lot of the courthouse
• Parking is free
• Visitors are required to pass through metal detectors
• Items brought into the courthouse go through xray machines
• Do not bring cell phones
• No food or liquids permitted

Location

The East Mesa Justice Court is located at 4811 E. Julep, Mesa, AZ 85205, located in an industrial park not far from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

East Mesa Justice Precinct

Every court has a specific area, called a jurisdiction, that it has power over. For the East Mesa Justice Court to have jurisdiction over a misdemeanor crime, the offense must occur within the set precinct boundaries. A map of the court’s boundaries is below:

If you are ordered to appear in the East Mesa Justice Court but the crime did not occur within its boundaries, then the court does not have power (or jurisdiction) to hear the case. In that instance, you are entitled to have the charges dismissed. The charges may be refiled if the statute of limitations for the crime has not yet run out, but it must be filed in the appropriate court that has jurisdiction over the case. It is important to speak with an attorney who can identify if you have been charged in the proper district.

What is a Justice Court?

The East Mesa Justice Court is one of many justice courts found in Arizona. It is a court of limited jurisdiction, meaning it can hear civil and criminal traffic violations, misdemeanors and civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $10,000. If a case is charged as a felony, it is out of the jurisdiction of the justice court and must be handled by the Maricopa County Superior Court.

One of the interesting things about justice court is that the judge is called a justice of the peace and is an elected official. The terms served are four years and the justices can be re-elected for subsequent terms. In addition, you might be surprised to learn that most justices of the peace are not licensed lawyers. There is no requirement that justices be lawyers, but they have the same powers as any other judge for a limited jurisdiction court in Arizona.

You should also know, that although the judge is not required to be a licensed attorney, the prosecutor is. The prosecutor is the individual that is fighting to get the largest penalty against you. The prosecutor has years of legal training, whereas the judge is not required to, and in most cases does not. Therefore, it is important to speak with an attorney before going to court. It’s never a good idea to go alone. Here at the Salwin Law Group, we can help.

Justice of the Peace

The justice of the peace for East Mesa is Keith Russell. Judge Russell was elected the Justice of the Peace in June of 2013. He serves as the Presiding Judge for the 26 Maricopa County Justice Courts. He also sits on the Arizona Judicial Council and the Committee on Limited Jurisdiction Courts.

Judge Russell is not a licensed attorney. Judge Russell’s court docket tends to move very slowly so it is important that you retain competent legal counsel to represent you in court. The Salwin Law Group has extensive experience handling cases in front of Judge Russell.

How Did My Case End up in the East Mesa Justice Court?

If you have been ordered to appear in the East Mesa Justice Court, you probably have been charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense, and not a felony offense. Justice courts do not have the power to hear felony cases.

Another factor used to determine which court you will be assigned to is which police agency arrested you. If you were arrested by the city police, then you will be sent to city court. However, if you were arrested by the Arizona Department of Public Safety or the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department, then you will likely be charged in a justice court if the crime you allegedly committed was within the court’s boundaries.

How Should I Dress to Attend the East Mesa Justice Court?

If you are going to appear in court, in person or virtually, you want to dress professionally. That means men should wear dress pants with a dress shirt and tie with a jacket. Women should wear a dress or dress pants with a dress shirt and suit jacket or cardigan. Avoid jeans, leggings and shorts or any other attire that is not appropriate.

If you are appearing virtually, you should also be mindful of any background noise. Be sure to remain in one location during the hearing and avoid walking around or driving while the hearing is taking place.

Common Offenses

Common offenses that we see charged in the East Mesa Justice Court involve criminal traffic violations, such as DUIs, criminal speeding and other traffic-related matters.

The Salwin Law Group Handles Cases in East Mesa Justice Court

The Salwin Law Group has extensive experience handling cases in the East Mesa Justice Court. Stewart Salwin is a former prosecutor who is now a criminal defense attorney. He was taught by the top criminal defense attorneys in the country. His knowledge and experience serve his clients well and he can handle any type of claim brought in court. Call today for a free evaluation of your case.

Stewart Stalwin is an experienced criminal defense attorney handling cases in the East Mesa Justice Court. He uses his knowledge as a former prosecutor for Maricopa County to obtain the results his clients deserve. Call today for a free evaluation of your case.