CRIMINAL CASES AT THE SAN MARCOS JUSTICE COURT

Chandler Criminal defense attorney Tim Tobin When charged with a misdemeanor by the Maricopa County’s Sheriff’s Office or the Department of Public Safety for an alleged incident within San Marcos Justice Court’s Jurisdictional Boundaries, the case will likely be heard at San Marcos Justice Court.

San Marcos Justice Court is inside the San Tan Regional Court Center, which is on Chicago Street in Chandler’s historic downtown district. It’s across the street from the Chandler Municipal Court and Chandler Police Station.

San Marcos Justice Court Location

201 E. Chicago Street
Suite #103
Chandler, AZ 85225

Contact San Marcos Justice Court

Phone: 602-372-3400
Fax: This Court Does Not Accept Faxed Legal Documents

San Marcos Justice Court Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Parking at San Marcos Justice Court

There’s free parking in front of and behind the San Marcos Justice Court. There are no covered parking stalls. There’s handicap parking near the front entrance. There are several spots reserved for police personnel only. Overflow parking is located behind the building.

Who’s the San Marcos Justice Court Judge?

Judge, Jay Tibshraeny is the elected Justice of the Peace for San Marcos Justice Court since January of 2019. Judge Tibshraeny is not an attorney; however, he has substantial experience in government and public service. Prior to being a judge, he served as Chandler’s mayor and was an Arizona state senator.

Tobin Law Office Provides Clients with Excellent and Knowledgeable Mesa Criminal Defense Services at the San Marcos Justice Court.

Tobin Law Office is just seven miles north of the San Marcos Justice Court and conveniently located off the US 60 on South Stapley Drive. Being so close, we consider it a home court. Mr. Tobin and his family live a short distance from the courthouse and downtown Chandler.

Practicing at the San Marcos Justice Court regularly, Tobin Law Office is familiar with the judge, prosecutor’s office, and government agencies. Mr. Tobin, himself, is a former prosecutor of the prosecuting agency that handles San Marcos Justice Court cases. For these reasons, our office is experienced in the San Marcos Justice Court.

When up against criminal charges at the San Marcos Justice Court, it’s crucial to consult with a criminal lawyer who frequently handles cases there. It can provide valuable insight to hire someone who previously worked for the San Marcos Justice Court’s prosecuting agency. Most importantly, you should work with a criminal law office that will dedicate time and energy to your case.

What do I do once I arrive at the San Marcos Justice Court?

Once parked, enter through the front of the justice court center. You’ll need to go through security and a metal detector. Once past security, check in at the San Marcos Justice Court window. They’ll check you in and direct you to enter the San Marcos courtroom, which is on the left-hand side of the hallway. Once inside the courtroom, you should be respectful and silent. Cell phones should be turned off. When your case is called step forward and politely address the Judge at the bench.

What should I wear and bring to the San Marcos Justice Court?

It’s important to dress respectfully at Court. While you don’t have to wear a business suit, you should avoid things like hats, sandals, sunglasses, and ripped clothing. Any clothing that might be seen offensive or provocative should also be avoided. The best description for courthouse attire is business casual. Overall, you want to leave a positive impression.

The Court doesn’t allow food or beverages. Kids are allowed in the building, but our office doesn’t recommend bringing children. If they cannot keep quiet in the courtroom, they may be asked to leave; this can make it impossible to address your case.

You should bring your citation and police paperwork. We recommend that you keep it organized in a folder or envelope. If you’ve since cured any civil violation (license, insurance, registration, auto repair, etc.), be sure to bring it. The Judge has the discretion to dismiss certain civil violations.

Your First Court Date at San Marcos Justice Court: Arraignment.

Unless you hire a criminal defense attorney, you must attend your first court date at San Marcos Justice Court. If you don’t appear, there will be additional charges, a warrant for your arrest, and a suspension of your driver’s license. This doesn’t look great when you later try to negotiate the case with the prosecutor.

At the arraignment, the Judge will read the charges and potential penalties, confirm your personal information, explain your rights, and ask for your plea—guilty or not guilty. It’s crucial to realize that this isn’t the time to talk about the facts, ask for forgiveness, or convince the Judge to dismiss the case. In fact, the Judge isn’t allowed to receive motions, evidence, or testimony at arraignment. This is in part because the prosecutor won’t be there.

Criminal attorney, Timothy Tobin, almost always advises defendants to enter a not guilty plea. You’re likely unfamiliar with the nuances of this Court. The reality is that you have many options, programs, and defenses at your disposal. You must enter a not guilty plea to preserve these options. Even if you’re guilty against a mountain of evidence, this isn’t the time to take responsibility as it rarely helps your situation. If you immediately admit guilt, you cannot negotiate the case with the prosecutor and you lose out on available options like a pretrial diversion program or deferred prosecution. For these reasons, enter a not guilty plea and speak with a criminal lawyer who frequently practices at San Marcos Justice Court.

Lastly, the Judge will address your release conditions. There’s a myriad of factors the Judge considers in ordering release conditions. The Court can order anywhere from a secured appearance bond to own reconnaissance with special conditions.

Tobin Law Office Makes the Arraignment Process Seamless and Painless.

We file all the required paperwork so that you don’t need to go the arraignment. And from there, we can appear at your future court dates for you. This saves you from having to take time to attend frequent and time-consuming court hearings.

Pretrial Conferences.

These are the court hearings that take place before a criminal case is resolved by diversion, plea bargain, dismissal, motion, or trial. At each pretrial conference, you or your attorney meet with the prosecutor to discuss the case.

San Marcos Justice Court typically holds several pretrial conferences before a case is resolved. Pretrial conferences are not formal hearings—evidence and motions are not heard. Instead, these conferences facilitate case resolution.

You must timely appear for all your pretrial conferences. Upon arrival, you’ll check in with the San Marcos Court window and sign the list outside the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. If you’re representing yourself, we recommend that you arrive early because there’s usually a long wait to see the prosecutor. You’ll notice that the defense attorneys are seen first; this is done as a professional courtesy between lawyers; defense attorneys have several different courthouses to attend throughout the day.

When the prosecutor opens the door and calls your name, you’ll be invited to negotiate the case; you’ll also be given any evidence in the State’s possession—it’s rarely all the evidence. Attorney Tobin reminds defendants that prosecutors aren’t there to help you—they’re your adversary. Regardless of how friendly they might seem—don’t forget—their main function is to convict you, punish you, and move the calendar. Prosecutors see you as a number in a long line of cases. They have little concern for your personal circumstances.

Trial.

If a case cannot be resolved by dismissal or plea bargain, it’s scheduled for trial. A trial is where testimony and evidence are presented by the prosecutor, police, victims, and witnesses in a concerted effort to convict and punish you. Representing yourself at trial is never a good idea.

You can Look up Your San Marcos Justice Court Case with these Links.

Find Your San Marcos Justice Court Case: Justice Court Case Search

San Marcos Justice Court Calendar: San Marcos Justice Court Calendar

What are the Potential Penalties at the San Marcos Justice Court?

San Marcos Justice Court only hears misdemeanor cases. Misdemeanors carry up to 180 days in jail and three years of probation. In addition, there can be severe financial penalties, counseling, classes, treatment, community service, loss of rights, and driver’s license consequences. Most damaging, a misdemeanor conviction leaves you with a permanent criminal record because Arizona law doesn’t provide for expungement.

Maximum Jail in Misdemeanor Cases: A.R.S. § 13-707.

  • Class 1 Misdemeanor: 180 days in jail.
  • Class 2 Misdemeanor: 120 days in jail.
  • Class 3 Misdemeanor: 30 days in jail.

Defendants are responsible for very expensive incarceration costs unless waived by the Judge. San Marcos Justice Court allows for the jail’s work-release program; however, home detention is not available at San Marcos Justice Court.

Maximum Fine in Misdemeanor Cases: A.R.S. § 13-802.

  • Class 1 Misdemeanor: $2,500, plus surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs
  • Class 2 Misdemeanor: $750, plus surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs
  • Class 3 Misdemeanor: $500, plus surcharges, fees, assessments, and costs

Misdemeanor penalties can exceed $10,000 after surcharges, assessments, and costs. The monetary costs are especially high in DUI cases.

Other Misdemeanor Penalties. Probation, loss of gun rights, driver’s license implications, treatment, classes, counseling, screenings, community service, restitution, and more.

DUI Penalties: See Tobin Law Office’s Comprehensive Guide on DUI Penalties.

Consult an Experienced San Marcos Criminal Defense Attorney Today.

When facing a misdemeanor or DUI charge at the San Marcos Justice Court, it’s imperative that you get time-sensitive advice from someone who regularly handles criminal cases at San Marcos Justice Court. Your criminal defense attorney will provide experienced guidance on your options, rights, and future. An experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney, who regularly appears at San Marcos Justice Court, puts you in the best position to dismiss or reduce charges, limit penalties, and protect your future.

Tobin Law office provides knowledgeable and quality criminal defense for any type of criminal charge at San Marcos Justice Court. Below is a list of common charges we defend against:

Contact us for a Free and Confidential Consultation!

    Tobin Law Office
    1910 S. Stapley Dr.
    Suite 221
    Mesa, AZ 85204

    Phone: 480-447-4837
    Fax: 480-447-4837
    Email: tim@tobinlawoffice.com