Avondale Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for violations in Avondale depend on who wrote the ticket. Avondale police file cases at the Avondale Municipal Court on Civic Center Drive. State troopers and Maricopa County sheriff deputies file at Agua Fria Justice Court on Van Buren Street. Both courthouses are in Avondale city limits but operate under different systems. Check your citation for the issuing agency. That tells you which court to contact. Municipal Court handles city violations. Justice Court handles state highway and county road violations. Your ticket shows the court name and address. Go to the correct location to pay fines, request hearings, or get records. Each court has its own staff and case files.
Avondale Traffic Court Quick Facts
Avondale Municipal Court
The City of Avondale runs its own Municipal Court for traffic violations within city limits. The court is at 11325 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale, AZ 85323. Phone number is (623) 333-5800. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 AM to 6 PM. The court is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is also closed on city holidays.
Avondale Municipal Court processes tickets written by Avondale police officers. Common charges include speeding, running red lights, no insurance, driving on a suspended license, and equipment violations. You can get court information at avondaleaz.gov/government/departments/city-court. That website has FAQs, contact details, and instructions for common procedures.
If you cannot pay your fine on the due date, you face a $20 court fee per case for late payment. Failure to pay or appear adds a $100 penalty. These fees are in addition to the base fine and surcharges. The total can add up fast if you ignore the ticket. Call the court before your due date if you need more time or want to set up a payment plan.
The court website states that you must file a written motion at least five days before your court date to request a continuance on a criminal case. Civil traffic continuances also require a motion. The court only grants continuances for good cause. Good cause means things like medical emergencies, military deployment, or other serious conflicts. Wanting more time to pay is not good cause for a continuance.
Agua Fria Justice Court
If a state trooper or county deputy wrote your ticket in Avondale, the case goes to Agua Fria Justice Court. This precinct is part of the Maricopa County Justice Courts system. The office is at 10420 W. Van Buren St., Avondale, AZ 85323. Call (602) 372-8001 for case questions. Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays. Closed weekends and holidays.
Agua Fria Justice Court handles traffic violations on state routes and county roads. It also covers unincorporated areas in the west valley. The court uses the countywide case search system at justicecourts.maricopa.gov/app/courtrecords/casesearch. Enter your name or case number to search for cases. Results show charges, court dates, and balances. The search is free and works on phones and computers.
Agua Fria Justice Court follows Maricopa County fee schedules. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certification costs $33 per document. Time payment plans have a $20 fee. Default fees are $30. These are standard across all 26 Justice Court precincts in the county. For more details on countywide procedures, visit the Maricopa County page.
Pay Traffic Fines
You can pay Avondale Municipal Court fines in person at the Civic Center Drive location. Accepted methods include cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Some payment processing companies also accept Avondale cases online. Check with the court clerk to confirm which online systems work with your case number.
For Agua Fria Justice Court payments, use the Maricopa County system. Options include paying at the court counter, online through approved portals, or by mail. The Justice Courts accept personal checks, money orders, cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. They also take Apple Pay and Google Pay. They do not accept cryptocurrency, PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle.
If you pay late, expect extra fees. Both courts add late penalties and may send your case to collections. The Motor Vehicle Division can also put a hold on your vehicle registration through TTEAP. That hold prevents you from renewing your plates until you pay the court debt. Co-owners of the vehicle are affected too. Pay on time or contact the court before the due date to avoid these problems.
Defensive Driving for Traffic Tickets
Many traffic tickets in Avondale qualify for defensive driving school. If eligible, you can take an approved class instead of paying the fine. The court dismisses the charge when you complete the course. No points go on your driving record. Your insurance company will not see the violation.
You must finish defensive driving at least seven days before your court date. The Arizona Supreme Court does not grant extensions for this deadline. Find approved schools and check eligibility at azcourts.gov/drive. That portal lists every authorized provider in the state. It also explains which violations qualify and which do not.
Not all tickets work with defensive driving. DUI, reckless driving, and commercial vehicle violations are excluded. There are also limits on how often you can use the option. The state website has an eligibility checker. Enter your violation code to see if you can take the class. Schools charge their own fees on top of any court costs. Most classes cost between $100 and $200.
Get Copies of Court Records
To request traffic court records from Avondale Municipal Court, contact the clerk's office at (623) 333-5800. You need to provide your case number, full name, and date of birth. Specify whether you want regular or certified copies. Regular copies are fine for personal use. Certified copies have a court seal and are needed for legal filings or official purposes.
Arizona law sets fees for court records. Most Municipal Courts charge around $17 for a records search plus 50 cents per page for copies. Certified copies cost more. The exact fees at Avondale should be confirmed with the clerk before submitting your request. You can request records in person, by mail, or by phone. Processing time depends on how busy the office is.
For records from Agua Fria Justice Court, use the Maricopa County records request system. Visit justicecourts.maricopa.gov/i-want-to/request-records to submit a request. Fees are 50 cents per page for copies and $33 for certification. Audio or video recordings of hearings cost $33 each. Commercial requesters pay a $33 search fee for up to 10 files per day.
Note: Court records are destroyed after the statutory retention period, which varies by case type.
Motor Vehicle Division Records
Your driving record shows all traffic convictions reported to the state. This includes tickets from Avondale and every other city in Arizona. You can get a copy of your MVD record online at azmvdnow.gov. The website provides instant access to your driver history.
MVD charges $3 for an uncertified three-year driving record. A certified five-year record costs $5. Uncertified records are good for personal review. Certified records are required by courts, employers, and insurance companies. You can also request records by mail using Form 46-4416. Mail requests take longer than online requests but work if you do not have computer access.
The Motor Vehicle Division follows federal privacy rules under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. Some information is restricted. Most people can get their own records without issue. Third parties need a valid reason to access someone else's driving record. More information is at azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services/driver-license-information/motor-vehicle-records.
Nearby City Courts
Other west valley cities with Municipal Courts include: