Corrections & Clarifications: The story was updated to more accurately detail the timeline for evictions in West Mesa Justice Court. The story also corrects the name of Kyrene Justice Sharron Sauls.

Phoenix-area renters struggling to avoid eviction during the coronoavirus crisis may not all get reprieves.

It will depend on where they live, and the justice of the peace hearing their cases.

Eight of the 26 Valley justices hearing evictions in Maricopa County have agreed to delay them until the end of March or longer.

Seven justices have said it will be pretty much business as usual for eviction hearings.

The other 11 haven’t committed, according to research from the Maricopa County Justice Courts.

The Arizona Supreme Court gave the courts authorization Monday night to suspend mandatory timelines on eviction hearings. By law, eviction hearings are supposed to take place within five to 10 days of filing.

Nearly 2,000 Valley residents are facing losing their homes to eviction now, according to court filings.

That number could jump quickly because a growing number of people are losing incomes as their workplaces close temporarily or they need to stay home with children since Arizona schools are closed.

“In Arizona, because of our short (eviction) timelines, aid to individuals is not coming quickly enough,” said Pamela Bridge, director of Advocacy and Litigation at Community Legal Services. “We had an eviction crisis before COVID-19.”

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What courts are delaying evictions

Here are the justices who have agreed to temporarily halt or delay evictions in some way.

Arcadia Biltmore Justice Leonore Driggs.

Country Meadows Justice Anna Huberman.

East Mesa Justice Keith Russell.

Encanto Justice Ken Cheuvront.

Kyrene Justice Sharron Sauls.

Manistee Justice Donald Watts.

University Lakes Justice Tyler Kissell.

West Mesa Justice Elaissia Sears.

"I've continued all eviction hearings until March 30th, with the exception of immediate and health and safety evictions. ... Any new evictions being filed are also being calendared for March 30th and 31st," Sears said in an email.

The West Mesa Justice Court will push other non-essential court matters to at least April 28, she said.

"In light of the Arizona Supreme Court’s Administrative Order and the information coming out of the Federal Government, the Arizona State Government and Maricopa County, there is a legal and moral basis for these decisions.

“We stand firmly by them and believe it is the best course of action at this time,” she said.

The federal government is suspending evictions on HUD properties, but that helps only a small group in Arizona.

What courts are continuing evictions

Here are the justices who have indicated evictions will continue generally on schedule, although some will handle them via telephone for health reasons.

Agua Fria Justice Joe "Pep" Guzman.

Arrowhead Justice Craig Wismer.

Hassayampa Justice Miles Keegan.

Highland Justice Steve Urie.

North Mesa Justice Kyle Jones.

North Valley Justice Gerald Williams.

White Tank Justice David Osterfeld.

Scott Davis, spokesman for the spokesman for the Maricopa Justice Courts, said while some judges aren’t automatically issuing continuances, some are doing it by individual request because of the coronavirus health and economic situation.

What courts haven't decided yet

The following justices haven’t yet stated their policy on delaying evictions.

Desert Ridge Justice Cathy Riggs.

Downtown Justice Enrique Medina.

Dreamy Draw Justice Frank Conti.

Ironwood Justice Ironwood Joe Getzwiller.

Maryvale Justice Andy Gastelum.

McDowell Mountain Justice Michele Reagan.

Moon Valley Justice Andrew Hettinger.

San Marcos Justice Jay Tibshraeny.

San Tan Justice Sam Goodman.

South Mountain Cody Williams.

West McDowell Justice Teresa Lopez.

“We are meeting to figure out the best protocol. Moratoriums on evictions for only two weeks won’t help renters get rid of debt they owe landlords,” Tibshraeny said. “It’s a complex issue and not as easy as saying ‘no evictions.'”

More updates to come

The justices are meeting Thursday afternoon to try to work out more policies on eviction delays as well as on telephone hearings to try to protect the health of tenants, court employees and landlord lawyers.

Efforts are also are underway to try to obtain more funding from the Legislature the Arizona Eviction Prevention program that could help tenants and possibly compensate landlords who aren't receiving rents during the coronavirus crisis.

“No one wants to see people evicted amid a public health crisis," said Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus, CEO of the Arizona Multihousing Association.

But she said while renters may struggle, apartment owners must continue to pay mortgages, utilities, insurance and other costs, so a bigger solution to the problem is needed.

Reach the reporter at Catherine.Reagor@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8040. Follow her on Twitter @catherinereagor.

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