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At the Hearing
Below is information that may be helpful to persons wishing to pursue a small claim but is not a substitute for legal advice. There are other rules and laws that may be applicable to your situation, but these are common rules and laws that apply in small claims cases.

A.R.S. means Arizona Revised Statutes, and ARSCP means Arizona Rules of Small Claims Procedure
 
The Hearing
On the filing of the answer by the defendant, the clerk will set the case for a hearing. The clerk will notify the parties of the time and place of the hearing. The court will hold a hearing within 60 days after the defendant files an answer. All parties must appear at the scheduled hearing. The justice of the peace or hearing officer will conduct the trial in such a manner to do justice between the parties and will not be bound by formal rules of procedure, pleading or evidence except for statutory provisions relating to privileged communications.

As soon as possible, but at least 15 days before the hearing date, a party may file a request in writing to reschedule the hearing and deliver a copy to the other party. The request must include a good reason for rescheduling and, if possible, provide supporting documentation. The court may deny the request if a party does not provide a good reason for rescheduling, does not provide documentation for the request, or if the party has made previous requests to reschedule the hearing. The court will consider emergency requests (a request received less than 15 days before the hearing) only if the request also shows a good reason for not filing it earlier.

Any party who does not appear at the hearing risks having an appropriate judgment entered against them. The justice of the peace or a hearing officer may conduct the hearing, although if a party objects to having a hearing officer conduct the hearing, the matter will be referred to the justice of the peace. This objection must be made at least 15 days before the hearing date.

If the plaintiff appears and has properly served the defendant, but the defendant does not appear, the court will consider the plaintiff's evidence and, if substantiated by the evidence, the court may award judgment for the plaintiff. If the plaintiff fails to appear, but the defendant appears, the court may dismiss the lawsuit with or without prejudice, or it may award judgment for the defendant. If both parties fail to appear at the hearing, the court will dismiss the complaint and any counterclaims without prejudice, meaning the claims may be refiled if all other legal requirements have been met.
 
Evidence and Testimony
Formal rules of evidence do not apply. The justice of the peace or hearing officer will consider testimony from the parties and witnesses, and documents, and will decide the claims and any counterclaims. The justice of the peace or hearing officer may ask questions and permit the parties to ask questions of each other and witnesses. Any non-privileged evidence tending to make a fact at issue more or less probable is admissible unless the justice of the peace or the hearing officer determines the evidence lacks reliability, or will cause unfair prejudice or confusion, or waste time. Any evidence deemed material, relevant and competent may be admitted. Discovery proceedings will not be used in the small claims process.