Understanding Court Closures on Labor Day
Labor Day, observed on the first Monday in September, is a federal and state-recognized holiday. In Arizona, all state, county, and municipal courts close in observance—including Scottsdale City Court, Maricopa County Superior Court, and Mohave County courts in Lake Havasu and Kingman.
This closure affects not only court hearings, but also filing deadlines, arraignments, custody matters, and other scheduled appearances. If your case is scheduled near the holiday, it’s important to know how the court calendar may shift—and what to do in urgent situations.
Will My Hearing Be Rescheduled?
Yes—if your court date falls on Labor Day (or in some cases the Friday before or Tuesday after), the court will reschedule your hearing. You should receive a formal notice of continuance from the court. However, it’s a good idea to proactively check your case status online or contact your attorney to confirm any updates.
If your case involves criminal charges, a missed court date can result in a bench warrant—even if the confusion was due to a holiday. Our legal team at Rideout Law Group always monitors court calendars closely during holidays to prevent these issues.
What About Court Filings and Deadlines?
Court clerks’ offices are also closed on Labor Day. This means that no filings—criminal, civil, family, or juvenile—can be processed until the next business day.
If you have a court-imposed deadline (e.g., responding to a petition, filing motions, or submitting discovery), and it falls on Labor Day, your deadline automatically moves to the next business day, per Arizona Rules of Court Procedure. Still, it’s best not to cut things close, especially before a long weekend.
Emergency Legal Issues Over the Holiday
Even when courts are closed, certain emergency procedures remain available. For example:
- Protective Orders (Orders of Protection or Injunctions Against Harassment): Police departments and some court-designated judicial officers can issue emergency orders after hours or on holidays.
- Custody Disputes: If your parenting plan outlines a holiday exchange and one parent violates the order, law enforcement or legal counsel may be necessary.
- DUI or Arrests: If you or a loved one is arrested over Labor Day weekend, Rideout Law can help arrange release conditions and prepare for upcoming court proceedings as soon as the courts reopen.
Are Lawyers Available on Labor Day?
While courts may be closed, Rideout Law Group remains available for urgent client matters. Whether you’re dealing with a holiday custody emergency, a DUI arrest, or a protective order violation, our attorneys can guide you—even during the long weekend.
We offer same-day consultations by phone or video, and we can initiate case reviews or begin drafting urgent filings that will be submitted once courts reopen.
Plan to Avoid Delays
If you have a pending case, Labor Day could delay your proceedings by several days or even weeks, depending on court backlog. That’s why we encourage our clients to:
- Confirm court dates early
- Submit documents ahead of deadlines
- Speak to an attorney before the long weekend if you expect any legal activity
Holiday weekends often see an increase in arrests, especially DUIs and domestic disturbances. Having a legal plan in place before Labor Day can prevent unnecessary stress or complications.
Contact Rideout Law Group for Help This Labor Day
Whether you’re facing criminal charges, dealing with family law issues, or concerned about a court deadline during Labor Day, our team is ready to help. With offices in Scottsdale and Lake Havasu, we serve clients across Maricopa and Mohave Counties.
📞 Call us at (480) 584-3328 or (928) 854-8181
✉️ Schedule a confidential consultation