A Rare Look at Arizona’s Legal History Inside a Working Courthouse
Arizona’s legal system didn’t appear overnight—it was shaped over decades by judges, attorneys, law enforcement officers, and everyday citizens whose lives intersected with the courts. One of the most distinctive places to experience that history firsthand is the Maricopa County Justice Museum, located in downtown Phoenix.
What truly sets this museum apart is that it operates inside a working courthouse, giving visitors a rare opportunity to explore Arizona’s legal past while real court proceedings continue just beyond its walls.
A Museum Inside a Working Courthouse
The Maricopa County Justice Museum is housed within the historic Old Maricopa County Courthouse, located at:
125 W Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Museum Location: 6th Floor
Unlike most museums, this one exists within an active judicial building that remains part of Maricopa County’s court system. Visitors take an elevator up to the sixth floor—passing attorneys, court staff, and members of the public along the way—before stepping into exhibits dedicated to the history of justice in Arizona.
This setting creates a powerful and immersive experience that few museums in the country can offer.
What Is the Maricopa County Justice Museum?
The Old Maricopa County Courthouse dates back to the early 1900s and once served as the central hub of judicial activity in the county. Today, the sixth floor is home to the Justice Museum, where preserved courtrooms and curated displays tell the story of how Arizona law evolved from its territorial beginnings to the modern legal system in place today.
The museum’s location within a functioning courthouse uniquely connects legal history to present-day court operations—making the experience both educational and impactful.
Exhibits That Bring the Law to Life
Visitors to the Justice Museum can explore exhibits featuring:
- Historic courtrooms restored to reflect early Maricopa County trials
- Judicial robes, photographs, and legal documents from influential Arizona judges
- Notable criminal and civil cases that shaped Arizona law
- Early law enforcement history in Phoenix and surrounding communities
Because these exhibits are housed in the same building where justice is still administered, they feel especially authentic and relevant.
Why This Setting Is So Unique
The museum’s sixth-floor location inside a working courthouse reinforces an important idea: the justice system is living, evolving, and deeply rooted in precedent. Visitors aren’t just reading about history—they’re surrounded by it, while modern cases are actively being heard elsewhere in the building.
It’s a reminder that today’s court decisions will one day become part of the historical record preserved in places like this museum.
A Living Connection to Arizona Law
For law students, attorneys, and community members, the Maricopa County Justice Museum offers valuable perspective. Every criminal case, family law dispute, or civil matter handled in Maricopa County courts is part of a much larger legal story—one that continues to unfold every day inside the same courthouse.
Few places illustrate that continuity as clearly as a museum located within the justice system itself.
Visiting the Museum
Whether you’re a Phoenix resident, a Scottsdale visitor, or simply interested in how courts operate, the Maricopa County Justice Museum is well worth a visit. Located on the 6th floor of the Old Maricopa County Courthouse at 125 W Washington Street, it offers a rare chance to step inside Arizona’s legal history while standing in the heart of its present-day justice system.
📍 Scottsdale Office: (480) 584-3328
📍 Lake Havasu Office: (928) 854-8181
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact a licensed attorney at Rideout Law Group.