Flagstaff Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Flagstaff are split between two court systems based on who wrote your ticket. Flagstaff Municipal Court handles citations from city police officers within city limits. If a county deputy or state trooper issued your ticket, the case goes to Coconino County Justice Court instead. Both courts keep files on traffic violations, hearings, fines, and case outcomes. You can search some records online and request copies through formal channels. Each court operates separately with its own staff, hours, and fee structure. The citation you receive shows which court filed your case and where to respond.
Flagstaff Municipal Court Quick Facts
Flagstaff Municipal Court
The Flagstaff Municipal Court processes tickets written by Flagstaff Police Department officers. The court is at 101 W. Cherry Avenue in downtown Flagstaff. Court hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. The office is closed on weekends and city holidays.
You can reach the court by phone at 928-213-3000. Staff answer questions about case status, payment options, and court dates during business hours. They cannot give legal advice. They can tell you your balance and next court date if you have an open case.
The Flagstaff Municipal Court website provides general information about court services, forms, and procedures. You can find details about how to respond to a citation, what to bring to court, and how to request a hearing.
Civil Traffic Violations
Most traffic tickets in Flagstaff are civil violations. These include speeding, running a red light, failure to yield, and equipment violations. Civil traffic cases do not create criminal records. You pay a fine and may get points on your license through the Motor Vehicle Division.
The civil traffic page explains options for handling your ticket. You can pay the fine online, by phone, by mail, or in person. You can also request a hearing to contest the charge. If eligible, you may attend defensive driving school to avoid points. The school must be completed at least seven days before your court date.
If you do not pay or appear by the due date on your citation, the court issues a default judgment. This adds a $50 default fee to your balance. The court may also report your case to the Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program, known as TTEAP. This program places a hold on your vehicle registration. You cannot renew your plates until you pay the debt or set up a payment plan.
Pay Traffic Fines
Flagstaff Municipal Court accepts payments through multiple channels. You can pay online at www.azcourtpay.com or www.flagstaffjcpayments.com. Both sites charge a convenience fee for credit card transactions.
Phone payments are available by calling 928-863-2574. You need your case number and a credit or debit card. You can also pay in cash at PayNearMe locations around Flagstaff. These are retail stores that accept cash payments for court fines. A small service fee applies.
In person payments are accepted at the court clerk window at 101 W. Cherry Avenue during business hours. The court takes cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. If you need a payment plan, you must apply through the court. A $30 time payment fee is added when you set up the plan. Dishonored checks or failed payments cost $35 extra.
Request Court Records
You can request copies of Flagstaff Municipal Court records by submitting a formal records request. The court charges a $17 record request fee per case. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certification adds another $17.
Visit the Flagstaff records request page for instructions on how to submit your request. You need to provide the case number and specify which documents you want. Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or online depending on the type of record.
The court processes most requests within a few business days. Complex requests or older files may take longer. If the court cannot locate your case or the records have been destroyed after the retention period, they will notify you.
Note: Records older than the retention period are not available from the court.
Warrants and Registration Holds
A common question is whether the court issues warrants for unpaid civil traffic tickets. The answer is no. Flagstaff Municipal Court does not issue arrest warrants on civil traffic citations. However, the court can place a hold on your vehicle registration through the TTEAP program.
This hold prevents you from renewing your license plates. It can also affect a co-owner of the vehicle. Additional late penalties may apply if you do not resolve the case. To lift the hold, you must pay the full balance or set up a payment plan with the court. Once paid, the court releases the hold to the Motor Vehicle Division. It may take a few days for MVD to update their system.
Criminal traffic charges like DUI or reckless driving are different. Those cases can result in arrest warrants if you fail to appear. Check your citation to see if it is civil or criminal.
Coconino County Justice Court
If your ticket was written by a county deputy or state trooper, your case is filed at Coconino County Justice Court. This court handles traffic violations that occur on highways, county roads, and unincorporated areas around Flagstaff.
The Flagstaff Justice Court office is at 200 N San Francisco St, 1st Floor, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Court hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday. The phone number is 928-679-7650. This court is separate from the Municipal Court and has its own staff and case files.
For more information about Coconino County traffic cases, see the Coconino County traffic court records page. That page covers Justice Court procedures, fees, and online search options.
Arizona Statewide Court Systems
Arizona operates a statewide case search system at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx. This database covers 153 out of 180 courts in the state. You can search by name or case number to find cases across multiple jurisdictions.
The Arizona Judicial Branch provides this service as a resource for the public. Not all courts participate in the system. Some smaller courts maintain separate databases. The search results are not official court records. You must contact the specific court for certified documents.
If you need your driving record, visit AZMVDNow.gov to order a Motor Vehicle Record from the Motor Vehicle Division. A three-year uncertified record costs $3. A five-year certified record is $5. These records show your traffic convictions, license status, and points.
Defensive Driving School
Arizona law allows eligible drivers to attend defensive driving school to avoid points on their license. If you received a civil traffic citation and meet the requirements, you can complete a court-approved course instead of having the conviction reported to MVD.
The Arizona Supreme Court manages the defensive driving program through www.azcourts.gov/drive. You must complete the class at least seven days before your court date. The court does not grant extensions. If you finish the class late, you forfeit the fee and still face the original charge.
Not all violations qualify for defensive driving. The citation must be civil, not criminal. You can only use defensive driving once every 12 months. Check with the court or visit the state website to confirm your eligibility before enrolling.
Traffic Ticket Enforcement Program
The Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program (TTEAP) helps Arizona courts collect unpaid traffic fines. After two failed collection attempts, the Motor Vehicle Division places a hold on your vehicle registration. This prevents you from renewing your plates.
The hold affects both the defendant and any co-owner of the vehicle. If your spouse or parent co-owns the car, they cannot renew the registration either until you clear the debt. Visit the TTEAP program page for details about how the system works and how to resolve holds.
To lift a TTEAP hold, contact the court that filed the case. Pay the full amount or set up a payment plan. Once the court receives payment, they release the hold to MVD. It can take several days for the release to process through state systems.
Arizona Traffic Laws
Arizona traffic violations are governed by state statutes in Title 28 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Key laws related to traffic court records and procedures include:
ARS Section 28-447 defines what Motor Vehicle Division records are public. Medical reports and certain personal information are excepted from public access. ARS Section 28-446 sets fees for copies of MVD records at no more than $3 per item.
ARS Section 28-3392 establishes eligibility for defensive driving school. This statute controls who can attend and how often. ARS Section 28-1633 authorizes courts to contract with the Arizona Department of Transportation for TTEAP enforcement.
Court fees and procedures fall under Title 39 public records laws and court rules set by the Arizona Supreme Court. Copy fees of 50 cents per page are standard across most Arizona courts per statute.
Other Northern Arizona Cities
Flagstaff is the largest city in northern Arizona. Other cities in the region have their own court systems or use county courts. For traffic cases in nearby areas, check these resources:
Smaller towns like Sedona, Williams, and Page may direct cases to county Justice Courts. Check your citation to see which court has jurisdiction.