Courtroom Standards
Upon entering the courthouse, you are required to observe
the following standards:
1. No weapons of any kind may be allowed in the court building pursuant to A.R.S 13-3102A (10). This includes guns, knives, chains, mace and baton. Other items such as tools, kitchen utensils, nail files, key holders, and scissors may also be restricted. Violation of this statute is a class one misdemeanor and you will be subjected to criminal prosecution.
2. The Sahuarita Municipal Court (SMC) has full-time court security officers (CSO’s) who maintain the security of the court. If you are entering the courtroom, you will be required to pass through a metal detector. The CSO will ask you to place any metal objects into a receptacle while you walk through the detector. If the metal detector detects any metal an alarm will alert the CSO. The CSO will ask you to empty all items in your pockets and may ask you to talk off your shoes should the detector show that your shoes are causing the detector to go off. A hand held wand will also be used to aid in the search for metal objects on your person.
3. No one may enter the courthouse with food, drinks or chewing gum. Please dispose of such items prior to entry.
4. Wear appropriate attire. While clothing need not be formal, no one will be allowed into the courthouse without shoes or shirts. T-shirts with offensive slogans or pictures are also not to be worn. If you are wearing a hat, please remove it upon entering the courtroom. If you are wearing dark sunglasses, please remove those as well.
5. While in the courtroom all cell phones, pagers, or other electronic devices are to be shut off or left in your car or at home.
6. When you are called to the bench have a seat at the table to the left. The Judge or Hearing Officer will address you at the table once you are seated. Never approach the bench unless the Judge has directed you to do so. Do not attempt to speak to the Judge or Hearing Officer from the audience.
7. While awaiting your case to be called to the bench, do not chat or whisper to friends or family. If you need to speak, leave the courtroom for a few minutes. Court proceedings are being taped and background conversations can interfere with the audio taping of the record.
8. If at all possible, please avoid bringing small children to court. We recognize that at times this may not be possible, thus if necessary to do so, please monitor their behavior and keep them as quiet as possible. If a child becomes noisy or unruly, you and your child may be asked to leave the courtroom.
