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Flagstaff, Arizona, is a thriving college town and home to some of the most beautiful recreation areas that Arizona has to offer. Apart from the sights, there is also a burgeoning downtown with many bars and restaurants. Regardless of why you are visiting, whether it’s for school, skiing, hiking, fishing, or just to enjoy the cool mountain air, if you find yourself facing legal difficulties in the Flagstaff Municipal Court you face real-life consequences like jail time, fines, and more.

The Rosenstein Law Group has the knowledge and experience to help you handle whatever criminal case you may have pending in the Flagstaff Municipal Court. Call today at 480-248-7666 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation so that we may help you determine your best defenses and strategies in your case.

Court Information

The Flagstaff Municipal Court is located at 101 W. Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. It is open for business Monday-Friday from 7:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. The Flagstaff Municipal Court has jurisdiction to hear criminal misdemeanor, civil traffic, and civil code violations that occur within Flagstaff city limits. Orders of Protection and Injunctions Against Harassment may also be litigated in the Flagstaff Municipal Court. The Flagstaff City Prosecutor’s Office handles prosecutions in the Flagstaff Municipal Court.

Public parking is available near the courthouse on West Cherry Avenue and North Beaver Street. Listing shows Cherry Avenue Parking Lot at 101 W. Cherry Ave. as a public parking lot, and Downtown paid parking is currently listed at $1 per hour, with enforcement generally 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Posted signs should be followed because parking restrictions can vary.

About the Presiding Magistrate, Judge Thomas L. Chotena

Judge Thomas L. Chotena was appointed a magistrate for the Flagstaff Municipal Court in March 1996 and has served as the court’s Presiding Magistrate since August 2002. In 2025, the Flagstaff City Council reappointed Judge Chotena to continue serving as Presiding Magistrate.

Before joining the bench, Judge Chotena served as a law clerk to two Superior Court trial judges and the Vice Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. He later practiced law privately before relocating to Flagstaff in 1990, where he served as an Assistant City Attorney and later as Chief Prosecutor for the City of Flagstaff.

Filing a Case

Filing documents with the Flagstaff Municipal Court depends on the type of filing. For criminal cases, pleadings, motions, and correspondence may be sent to the Flagstaff City Prosecutor’s Office by email at ProsecutionStaff@flagstaffaz.gov. Court filings may also be submitted to the court in person or by mail at 101 W. Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

If you need to request a continuance, an arraignment may be continued by written or verbal request to the court. Requests to continue other hearings generally must be made in writing at least five days before the scheduled hearing. The request should include your contact information, and a continuance is not automatically granted, so you should confirm whether the court approved your request.

What Happens When I Go to Court?

Attending court at the Flagstaff Municipal Court generally goes as follows:

  • Plan to arrive early at the Flagstaff Municipal Court, 101 W. Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Public parking is available near the courthouse on West Cherry Avenue and North Beaver Street.
  • Enter through the main entrance and go through the court’s security screening. Everyone entering the court must pass through a metal detector, and personal belongings are screened through an X-ray machine.
  • Dress appropriately. The court asks visitors to wear clean, fitted clothing, requires shirts and shoes, and asks visitors to remove their hats before entering a courtroom.
  • Silence your cell phone before entering the courtroom.
  • Have your court documents and other materials ready for the court clerk. The court asks visitors to be patient because the courthouse can become busy.
  • Check in with court staff and follow their instructions regarding where to wait and when your case will be called.
  • Make sure you appear for your scheduled arraignment and other hearings. Failing to appear may result in a warrant for your arrest.
  • At an arraignment, you will enter a plea. A not-guilty plea generally results in a pretrial conference and a later trial setting.

Remember that every case is different, and court procedures can vary depending on the charges and stage of your case. Speak with your attorney about what to expect before your hearing. Your attorney can also advise you about where and when to meet before entering the courtroom.

Board-Certified DUI Defense Lawyers in Flagstaff, Arizona, and More

Regardless of what crime you are charged with committing, the Rosenstein Law Group‘s team can help you. You will benefit from:

  • A legal team with decades of combined experience, insight, skills, and knowledge in handling DUIs and all types of criminal cases
  • A defense strategy that isn’t generic, but is individualized and tailored to fit your case and needs
  • Two attorneys that are board-certified in DUI defense by the National College for DUI Defense, the only accredited organization in the United States that awards the title
  • Smart and aggressive representation

If you are facing criminal charges in the Flagstaff Municipal Court, call 480-248-7666 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation. We will discuss your pending case and together find out how we can help you get the best possible result.