Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court (MCRHC)

Creating a pathway for individuals experiencing
homelessness to resolve minor legal offenses.

About the Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court

This specialized court is designed to assist individuals experiencing homelessness to overcome legal barriers by resolving misdemeanor cases and warrants. Receive resources for:

Resolving misdemeanor cases

Addressing outstanding warrants

Accessing social services

Experiencing a supportive environment

Participation

How to Participate

Qualified providers advise eligible people living with homelessness on how the Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court (MCRHC) may address outstanding warrants and certain unresolved court matters.

The case manager applies to MCRHC on behalf of the applicant, once the applicant has been accepted into the case manager’s organization (case managers have different program requirements but most include sobriety, housing, treatment, counseling, progress towards employment and community service hours).
If the applicant qualifies, MCRHC requests approval to hear cases from the Municipal and/or Justice Courts in Maricopa County.
The case is scheduled to be heard in MCRHC, once the applicant has met the program and community restitution requirements.
The applicant comes to MCRHC with their case manager and reports on their program participation.
If appropriate, the Judge quashes relevant warrants, fines and fees in exchange for completed community restitution hours.
Cases are closed and legal barriers are removed.

Requirements to Participate

Participation in Homeless Court requires that:

No active felony warrants.
Charges must qualify: No criminal charges with mandatory sentencing provisions or charges where a victim has invoked their rights.
Evidence of income or financial sustainability.
Actively enrolled in a program with a qualified program provider and have completed (or be near completion) all program/case plan requirements.
In regular contact with your case manager and your case manager can confirm that you are no longer "living a homeless lifestyle" and you are not likely to be arrested for "quality of life" offenses.

Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court Resources

For Participants

MCRHC is designed to allow those struggling with homelessness who may have active warrants for non-violent crimes.

View Application (PDF) Find Program Providers

For Case Managers

Case managers play a crucial role in referring homeless individuals to the MCRHC and connecting them with the appropriate resources to resolve their legal issues.

View Case Manager Instructions

Qualified Transitional Program Providers

Collaborating with community partners and program providers, the MCRHC ensures that participants have access to crucial social services to help them transition out of homelessness.

Find Program Providers

MCRHC Location

204 South 12th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Court is held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1:30 PM

Success Stories

Joe

Joe, homeless most of his life, always kept his guard up. When he landed in the Arizona Department of Corrections, his defensive ways continued for two years. However, the folks at the Lodestar Day Resource Center (LDRC) were waiting for him upon his release and helped him stay clean and sober. They helped him choose to take ownership of the tasks presented to him. He was the first one to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night. Things were looking up.

But there was one last obstacle: his legal issues. When his application to MCRHC was accepted, his excitement was tinged with concern. But when he appeared before Judge Kane, his public defender assured him, "Nothing bad can happen here today." His case worker helped him present the necessary paperwork, and when the judge signed it, everyone who knew him realized they had never seen Joe smile so big.

Mary

Mary and her five teenaged children escaped a domestic violence situation but ended up homeless. When they found their way to the UMOM shelter things started looking hopeful. She enrolled in Parenting, Life Skills and Budgeting classes. She also enrolled in school to complete her behavioral Health degree.

Then she went to Homeless Court. Because the barriers to employment were addressed, she got a job, saved some money and purchased a car (and insurance.) She found housing within her budget and is able to tackle the challenges of life without the previous overwhelming legal barriers.

Tyrell

When Tyrell arrived at Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), he was uncertain about many of the challenges facing him, but he was motivated to make real change. He grew up in a family of alcohol abuse and violence and ended up in the Florence Prison.

When he returned to Phoenix, he decided to face his legal issues. He quickly passed the GED and began working part-time at Tumbleweed and also volunteering and pursuing his hobby of art. The Homeless Court was able to resolve some of his fines and quash outstanding warrants.

Tyrell now has the freedom to continue in his new life, freed by the past he left behind. Many doors have opened to him, due to his hard work, and due to the help from programs such as Homeless Court. He is very appreciative towards all those in his path who have assisted him, and is very dedicated to helping others, and to being a positive role model.

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Contact Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court