Magistrate Court

Procedures

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR A CRIMINAL (i.e., ordinance or municipal code) OFFENSE 
You MUST appear in court or by mail on the date and time indicated on the ticket. Failure to do so may result in a WARRANT for your arrest.

IF YOU RECEIVED A TICKET FOR A CIVIL TRAFFIC OFFENSE
See Options 1, 2, & 3 below. If you are eligible for Defensive Driving class, you may be able to have a civil traffic charge dismissed. You may also handle the matter by mail (if you prefer). You should have received an information card with your ticket – please review it.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
You must appear in Court on the date and time indicated on your ticket and be ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN. However, juveniles in civil traffic cases may be handled by mail, or attend Defensive Driving class in the same manner as an adult (see Options 1, 2, & 3 below). To enroll in Defensive Driving class, call (888) 334-5565 before the date on your ticket. (Don’t call the court; we can’t register you.)

OPTION ONE

Attend a Defensive Driving Program. If you qualify, the following information applies to only one eligible charge. When you complete the course, you have no fine to pay, you do not have to appear in Court, and no points will be placed on your driving record. To enroll, call 1-888-334-5565 or visit  www.azcourts.gov/drive/Defensive-Driving-Schools.

OPTION TWO

Admit the offense(s) on the ticket in one of three ways;

1. Follow the INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAYING THE FINE BY MAIL, or pay online by clicking the button below (Magistrate Court fines only)
2. Pay the fine at the service counter of the Court between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
   
   
   
3. Appear before the Judge on your court date. The Judge will see you any Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.

OPTION THREE

Deny the offense on the ticket, and request a hearing date in person or by mail. To deny the offense by mail, follow the instructions TO DENY THE OFFENSE AND REQUEST A HEARING on the information card you received with your ticket.

NOTICE:

If you fail to complete one of the three options above, on or before the court date shown on your civil traffic ticket, the court will enter a default judgment against you. A civil sanction will be imposed, and your driver’s license may remain suspended until the civil sanction and late fees are paid to the court. If you are charged with a criminal offense, and fail to appear, your license will be suspended and you may be arrested.

PENALTY SCHEDULE

Violations marked with a single asterisk (*) are eligible for Defensive Driving Class. For violations not listed here, appear in court in person on Tuesday @ 11:30 a.m. to see a Judge.

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

28-448A………………………………………………………………………..$314.00

28-641 TO 28-651….....………………………………………………….$351.00

28-645A3A……………………………………………………………$361.00*++

28-701, 28-701A, 28-702.01C, 28-701AB
SPEED no collision, see chart below

**VEHICLE REGISTRATION:  (a) No fine if you registration was valid at the time of the citiation, show proof to court; or (b) $173.00 if renewed registration shown to court; or (c) $690.00 if registration is not renewed.

**** VEHICLE INSURANCE:  A conviction of ARS 28-4135 requires a mandatory fine and suspension of your license and registration.  If you show proof to the court of insurance in effect at the time of the violation, the charge will be dismissed.  If you did not have insurance on the date of violation, the mandatory find may be reduced and the elimination of suspensions may occur if: 1) you do not have excessive prior convictions for no insurance, 2) you provide the Court proof that you purchased a six month insurance policy.  May be reduced to $173

***** SUSPENDED REGISTRATION PLATE:  (a) $351.00 if reinstated vehicle registration and MVD receipt shown to court, or (b) $694.00 if registration not reinstated.

+ DRIVERS LICENSE OR VEHICLE REGISTRATION NOT IN POSSESSION: (a) Charge will be dismissed with proof of driver license valid ON DATE AND TIME COMPLAINT WAS ISSUED. (b) $275.00 if no proof.

++ RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS:
IMPORTANT NOTICE:  If you have been cited for 28-645A3A, or under age 18 (First Offense) and are found responsible for a moving violation by the court, you will be required to attend a traffic survival school (TSS) class by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) pursuant to the requirements of the Arizona Revised Statutes.  If you are eligible for Defensive Driving Class and complete a class, the violation will be dismissed and you will not be subject to the requirement to attend a TSS class by MVD.

Under the Age of 18/Juveniles 
Juvenile charged with civil traffic violations only may choose any option on page one Juveniles charged with criminal traffic must appear in court with a parent or guardian.  Juvenile who admit tom, or are found responsible for a moving traffic violation are subject to separate action by MVD which may include Traffic Survival School (TSS).  If you attend Defensive Driving Class, you may avoid TSS and no points will be assessed on your license.

TOWN ORDINANCES

***The court will reduce this fine to $125.00 upon proof the animal has been properly licensed.

Pay By Mail

Follow the directions on your information card to make payments by mail.

Pay Online

Click the button below, and enter your ticket information to pay online. Only Magistrate Court fines can be paid online through either of the links below!

Pay In Person

Pay the fine at the service counter of the Court between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

What if I need to pay in cash or make a payment when the courthouse is closed?

If you are unable to make a payment because the courthouse is closed, you can pay in cash at certain stores in Arizona. PayNearMe is a program in Arizona where you may be able to make a payment in cash at certain retailers. Current retailers accepting payments are:

• 7-11
• Ace Cash Express
• CVS
• Family Dollar

You must have your barcode on your court notice to make a payment, if you do not have your notice, you can find it at azcourtpay.com. Payments can be no more than $1,000. Also, there is a small fee of $2.99 per transaction

• Pay in cash at a PayNearMe location

Transactions are entered into the court system within 15 minutes.

CAN’T PAY THE FINE IN FULL?

A payment schedule may be arranged by contacting the court office.  A fee of $30.00 is assessed for arranging a payment schedule.