Animals in the Courthouse

Superior Court Policy

It is the policy of the Maricopa County Superior Court to prohibit all animals, except for those discussed below, from the interiors of all court facilities.

An exception to this policy are service animals as they are defined under the Americans with Disability Act. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents the use of these devices. Additional exceptions to this policy are certified facility dogs used by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to assist victims while testifying in court, properly identified and trained working animals accompanied by law enforcement officers, and animals presented to the court in a civil or criminal case as evidence.

Comfort animals are prohibited.

Any animals allowed into any court facilities under the court’s policy must be kept under control.

Anyone who violates this policy shall be asked to exit court facilities or shall be removed by court security or deputy sheriff officers. Willful and wanton violations may subject the violator to criminal prosecution.

Definitions

Animal: An animal includes a dog, cat, bird, reptile, or any other living animal (except fish).

Comfort Animal: A comfort animal is any animal whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support.

Facility Dog: A dog that is certified as an assistance dog and whose purpose is to assist victims while testifying in court.

Service Animal: As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals are dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for qualified individuals with disabilities. The work or task a dog or miniature horse has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.

Working Animal: Working animals are trained police dogs accompanied by law enforcement officers.