Apache County, Arizona
Apache County, Arizona, is an 11,000-square-mile county with over 66,000 residents and a busy judicial system. The county operates a hierarchical court system, each court having delineated roles and having jurisdiction to address several legal matters, ranging from civil and criminal cases to juvenile, family, and probate matters. The Apache County courts play key roles in ensuring justice and order while including the rule of law across the county. The county's courts include the Superior Court, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts.
The Superior Court, located in St. Johns, primarily handles serious criminal matters, real property, probate matters, civil matters involving $1,000 and more, and any other matter not exclusively handled by any other court. It has jurisdiction over an extensive range of matters and receives over 1,000 filings annually. The Justice Courts, which are located in Sanders, Springerville, and St. Johns, hear civil lawsuits involving $10,000 or less, criminal traffic violations, landlord and tenant disputes, as well as, handle small claims. The court also resolves misdemeanor allegations and restraining order violations, with nearly 10,000 case filings annually. The Municipal Courts primarily decide civil and criminal traffic violations and other petty offenses, administering over 1,000 cases annually.
Apache County's court system is designed to facilitate the quick administration of justice, and a large volume of cases go through the court system annually. In 2020 and 2021, the Justice Courts recorded more than 13,000 cases. Despite this volume of cases, the county's violent crime rate of about 109 incidents per 100,000 people highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law and the efficiency of the county's judicial system in ensuring this. Court records in Apache County comprise cases heard by the county's courts and any document filed before the courts. Apache County court records are properly maintained, organized, and accessible to members of the public via the Arizona case search portal.
With a structure that includes the Superior Court, Justice Courts, and Magistrate Courts each designed to handle a wide range of legal matters and a publicly accessible online case repository the Apache County court system is committed to ensuring a seamless judicial process and maintaining law and order across the county. These attributes further highlight the court system's dedication to improving transparency, reinforcing public trust in the administration of justice, and serving as a model for running an ideal judicial process in Arizona.
Apache County, AZ - Courthouses
Superior Court – Apache County, Arizona
| Court Type: |
Superior Court |
| Street Address: |
70 West 3rd South |
| Website URL: |
https://www.apachecountyaz.gov/Superior-Court
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| Phone: |
928-337-7555 |
| Fax: |
928-337-2771 |
| Hours: |
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
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| Judge: |
Hon. Michael Latham |
|
| Clerk: |
Annell Hounshell |
| Clerk Phone: |
928-337-7550 |
| Clerk Fax: |
928-337-2771 |
| Clerk Email: |
ahounshell@apacheclerk.net |
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| Parking: |
Park in the front lot of the courthouse. Parking is free. |
| Directions: |
Three blocks south of Main Street. |
| Restrictions: |
Superior Court of Arizona, Apache County Courtroom Rules No talking while court is in session No small children allowed in court No hats or bandanas Turn off cell phones and pagers No food or drink No talking to defendants in custody No shorts or tank tops No sleeping NO FURTHER WARNINGS VIOLATORS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE COURTROOM |
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| Forms & Filing: |
Forms
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| Divisions / Services: |
Probation
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| Jury Service: |
Jury Duty
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| Languages: |
Documents are supplied in multiple languages. Onsite Navajo and Spanish translators. |
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| Email: |
planning@co.apache.az.us
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| Facebook: |
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apache-County-Justice-Court/2081799968713360
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| Linkedin: |
https://www.linkedin.com/company/apache-county-justice-court/about/
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| ADA: |
ADA Request Form |
| Special Access: |
Please provide, at least 48 hour notice if you require language and disability services. |
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Justice Courts – Apache County, Arizona
| Court Type: |
Justice Court |
| Street Address: |
70 W 3rd South |
| Website URL: |
https://www.apachecountyaz.gov/St-Johns-Justice-Court
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| Phone: |
928-337-7558 |
| Fax: |
928-337-2683 |
| Hours: |
Monday - Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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| Judge: |
Hon. Butch L. Gunnels |
| Judge Fax / Email: |
hstarr@courts.az.gov |
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| Clerk: |
Ryan N. Patterson |
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| Parking: |
Free Parking in front lot of the courthouse |
| Restrictions: |
Visitors are required to pass through metal detectors. Items brought into the courthouse go through xray machines. |
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| Divisions / Services: |
Defensive Driving Course
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| Languages: |
Online documents can be found in other languages. Please provide a 3-workday notice if you do not speak English |
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| Email: |
St.JohnsJusticeCourt@Courts.az.gov
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| Facebook: |
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apache-County-Justice-Court/2081799968713360
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| Linkedin: |
https://www.linkedin.com/company/apache-county-justice-court/
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| Special Access: |
Please provide a 3-workday notice if you have a disability that requires a unique accommodations |
|
| About / Additional Info: |
The St. Johns Justice Court is presided over by the Honorable Butch L. Gunnels. Judge Gunnels is also the magistrate of the St. Johns Municipal Court. |
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Justice Courts – Puerco Justice Court
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Justice Courts – Chinle Justice Court
| Court Type: |
Justice Court |
| Street Address: |
US Highway 191 Mp 447 |
| Website URL: |
https://www.apachecountyaz.gov/Chinle
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| Phone: |
928-674-5922 |
| Fax: |
928-674-5926 |
| Hours: |
Monday - Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
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| Judge: |
Hon. Victor J. Clyde |
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| Parking: |
Park in the front lot of the courthouse |
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| Divisions / Services: |
Defensive Driving Course
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| Email: |
VClyde@courts.az.gov
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Apache County, AZ - Sheriff's Office
Other Counties in Arizona