Initial Appearance (IA)

Usually within 24 hours of arrest

After a felony arrest, Maricopa County must bring you before a judicial officer within about 24 hours. This is the first time the court formally addresses your case.

• You are advised of the allegations and potential classification of the offense.
• The court sets release conditions such as bond, third party supervision, or pretrial services.
• These conditions can include electronic monitoring, curfew, and restrictions on travel outside Arizona.

The release conditions set at your Initial Appearance usually remain in place unless a judge later agrees to change them. Violations can lead to arrest or stricter conditions.

Probable Cause: Preliminary Hearing Or Grand Jury

The State must show there is a reason to move forward

A felony case cannot continue in Superior Court unless the State first shows there is probable cause that a crime occurred and that you may be responsible. This can happen in one of two ways.

If the Grand Jury returns an indictment before a planned preliminary hearing, that earlier hearing is usually vacated. Once the indictment is filed, the court schedules an arraignment and sends notice to defendants who are out of custody.

While waiting for arraignment, your lawyer begins reviewing reports, any Grand Jury transcript, and other early disclosure so strategy can start to take shape.

Arraignment

Formal start of the Superior Court case

Arraignment usually happens at the Maricopa County Superior Court South Court Tower in Phoenix. This hearing is short but important.

• The court confirms your identity on the record.
• The indictment or information is acknowledged.
• A plea of not guilty is entered in almost every case.
• The judge sets the first round of future court dates.

Even though the hearing is brief, attendance is mandatory. Missing arraignment can result in a bench warrant and added complications.

Initial Pretrial Conference (IPTC)

Early case management and deadlines

Shortly after arraignment, the court holds an Initial Pretrial Conference. This hearing focuses on administration, not testimony.

• The judge confirms that you have a lawyer of record.
• Discovery timelines and disclosure obligations are addressed.
• Bond or release issues may be reviewed if there are problems.

Many IPTC hearings are marked as non appearance for the defendant. Your attorney still appears and uses the hearing to keep the case on track and ensure the State is turning over required discovery.

Comprehensive Pretrial Conference (CPTC)

Are the parties moving toward trial or resolution

The CPTC takes place later in the process. By this point, the court expects real progress on discovery, investigation, and negotiations.

• The judge checks on outstanding discovery and motion issues.
• Witness lists and evidence questions may be discussed.
• Trial dates are often set or confirmed at this stage.

Defendants are usually required to attend a CPTC. It is often the point where everyone sees whether the case is likely to resolve by plea or head toward trial.

Settlement Conferences

Focused meetings to explore resolution

In many Maricopa County felony cases, your criminal defense attorney may request to schedule a settlement conference. This is a structured meeting where the parties speak with a judge about possible ways to resolve the case without trial.

The settlement conference is usually held in a courtroom or conference room. In some cases, a judge who is not the trial judge conducts the conference. In other cases, the assigned judge may handle it. The prosecutor, defense lawyer, and sometimes a victim advocate or detective are present. The defendant almost always attends, either in person or, in limited situations, by video or phone if the court allows it.

Settlement conferences are different from regular hearings because the focus is on open discussion rather than formal argument. The judge may:

• Ask each side to summarize the case and the main disputed issues.
• Explain how the law, sentencing ranges, and prior convictions could apply at trial.
• Give a neutral view of the strengths and weaknesses on both sides.
• Discuss current plea offers and possible changes to those terms.

No witnesses testify at a settlement conference, and the judge is not deciding guilt or innocence. The goal is to help everyone understand the risks of trial and the benefits and limits of any plea. In many cases, the judge’s feedback helps the defendant decide whether to accept a plea or continue toward trial with a clearer view of the possible outcomes.

Conversations at a settlement conference are generally treated as part of plea discussions. That means the purpose is to encourage honest dialogue about resolution, not to create evidence that will later be used at trial. Settlement Conferences can take place at any time during the case but usually occur near the FTMC or trial.

Final Trial Management Conference (FTMC)

Last check before trial begins

The FTMC is the final scheduled conference before trial. The court uses this hearing to make sure there are no loose ends.

• The judge confirms that discovery is complete or nearly complete.
• Witness and exhibit lists are finalized as required by rule.
• Any remaining motions are addressed or set for argument.
• Jury selection, courtroom logistics, and estimated trial length are reviewed.

Judges often ask whether you understand any plea offers and whether you want to accept or reject them. Attendance is mandatory even if negotiations are ongoing.

Trial

Contested hearing before a judge and jury

If the case does not resolve by plea, it proceeds to trial. Preparation for trial is intensive and requires close contact with your lawyer.

• You and your attorney meet to discuss strategy and testimony.
• The defense may interview State witnesses and consult experts.
• Pretrial motions are filed to limit or exclude certain evidence.

Staying in contact with your lawyer is critical. New dates, late disclosure, or urgent decisions can arise quickly. If you fail to appear for trial, the court may issue a warrant and allow the case to move forward without you.

Trial can end in acquittal, conviction on some or all counts, or a mistrial if the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict.

Plea Agreements

Negotiated resolutions instead of trial

Many felony cases resolve through plea agreements. A plea is an agreement where you plead guilty to one or more charges in exchange for specific terms that are usually safer than the risk at trial.

• The prosecutor decides whether to offer a plea and what the terms are.
• You decide whether to accept or reject the offer.
• Your lawyer explains the evidence, the law, and the likely outcomes so you can choose with full information.

If a plea is accepted early enough, your lawyer may be able to schedule a Change of Plea hearing in front of a Commissioner and, in some cases, have input on which judge will handle sentencing. After the plea is entered in court, sentencing is usually set about 30 days later.

Sentencing

What happens after a plea or conviction

Sentencing follows either a plea agreement or a conviction at trial. Before sentencing, the probation department prepares a Pre Sentence Report, often called a PSR.

• You complete forms, answer questions, and attend an interview.
• The report describes the offense, criminal history, and personal background.
• The judge reviews the report and any recommendations when deciding the sentence.

Your lawyer will gather character letters, employment records, treatment documents, and other mitigation to present your full story. Arizona sentencing is controlled by statute. Some offenses carry mandatory prison time or limit probation, especially when there are prior felony convictions.

Appeals And Post Conviction Relief

Review options after sentencing

After sentencing, some defendants have options to challenge their conviction or sentence. The process depends on whether the case went to trial or resolved through a plea.

• If you were convicted at trial, you usually have a right to file a direct appeal to the Arizona Court of Appeals.
• If you entered a plea, your main option is often a Rule 32 Petition for Post Conviction Relief.

A Rule 32 petition is filed in Superior Court and reviewed by the sentencing judge. It can raise issues such as constitutional violations, newly discovered evidence, or ineffective assistance of counsel. If the petition is denied, you can ask the Court of Appeals to review the decision, and that court decides whether to accept the case.