
You have been charged with a Mesa DUI and are quite possibly preparing to enter a criminal court room for the first time in your life, other than perhaps appearing for jury duty at some point in the past. This can seem quite daunting, not knowing what to expect, unfamiliar with the location of the courthouse/courtroom, uncertain of what will happen at the first court hearing, and having no idea what to wear or how early to arrive at the courthouse, among many other unanswered questions swirling around in your mind.
To answer the question regarding location of your court appearance, it will depend upon which law enforcement agency cited you and whether you are being charged with Misdemeanor DUI or Felony DUI. If you were stopped by the Mesa Police Department and cited for a misdemeanor DUI, you will likely be appearing in the Mesa Municipal Court. If you were stopped by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) or Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), you will likely be appearing in one of the Mesa Justice Court Precincts – either the East Mesa Justice Court, West Mesa Justice Court, or the North Mesa Justice Court. If you are facing felony DUI charges in Mesa then you will likely be appearing in the Maricopa County Superior Court / Southeast Facility, at least for your initial hearings. Your case could be transferred to the Maricopa County Superior Court / Downtown if it’s not resolved in the early stages of the court process. You will need to refer to your traffic ticket, summons, or other court paperwork you received to determine the exact location, date and time of your first court appearance.
As for what you should wear – there is usually a minimum dress code policy inside a courthouse such as no clothing with rips or tears, no tank tops, hats, halter tops, sunglasses, etc. but beyond that, it is a good idea to dress modestly and wear clean and neat clothing. This doesn’t mean you need to go out and purchase a new outfit, but you should dress in a way that will demonstrate to the judge that you are taking your case seriously. If in doubt, ask your attorney what he/she recommends you wear.