Maricopa Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for the City of Maricopa are handled by Maricopa Municipal Court. The court sits at 39600 W. Civic Center Plaza in Maricopa, Arizona 85138. All traffic citations issued by Maricopa police within city limits are filed here. Cases include speeding violations, stop sign tickets, no insurance charges, and other traffic offenses. You can call the court at (520) 494-2300 during business hours. The court is open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Traffic violations on county roads or state highways outside the city go to Pinal County Justice Court instead. Check your citation to see which court has your case.
Maricopa Municipal Court Quick Facts
Maricopa City Court Location
Maricopa Municipal Court is at 39600 W. Civic Center Plaza. That address is in Maricopa, AZ 85138. The court handles all criminal and civil cases within city limits. This includes traffic violations written by Maricopa Police Department.
You can reach the court by calling (520) 494-2300. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The court is closed on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. If you need to file papers or make payments, go during those hours. Staff cannot help you outside business hours.
The city of Maricopa sits in Pinal County. Do not confuse the city name with Maricopa County, which is a different jurisdiction to the north. Maricopa County includes Phoenix and surrounding cities. The City of Maricopa is much smaller and is located south of Phoenix in Pinal County.
Search Traffic Cases Online
Arizona runs a statewide case lookup system at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx. The database covers 153 out of 180 courts in Arizona. Not all municipal courts participate. Check if Maricopa Municipal Court cases appear in the system by searching your name or case number.
The statewide system is free to use. No account or login is needed. Enter your first and last name or type in a case number. Results show the court, charges, filing date, and balance due. The website warns that this information is not the official court record. Contact the court directly for official documents or certified copies.
If your case does not show up in the statewide system, call Maricopa Municipal Court at (520) 494-2300. Ask the clerk to look up your case by name or citation number. They can tell you your court date, balance due, and whether you have any outstanding warrants or defaults.
Court Fees and Payment Options
Maricopa Municipal Court charges fees set by Arizona law. A research fee of $17 applies when you request the court to check records. This fee is authorized by Arizona Revised Statute 22-404. Certification of any document costs $17 per case. Copy fees are 50 cents per page.
If you need an audio copy of a hearing, the court charges $17 per audio CD. Insufficient funds fees are $35 if your check or payment gets rejected by your bank. These fees are in addition to any fines or penalties from your traffic violation.
Payment can be made in person at the courthouse. The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Some payment processors charge convenience fees for card payments. Ask the clerk about fees before choosing a payment method. Always keep your receipt as proof of payment.
If you cannot pay the full amount by your court date, you may request a payment plan. The court reviews your financial situation and can set up monthly payments. Most Arizona courts charge a time payment fee of $20 under ARS 12-116. This fee gets added to your balance.
Responding to a Traffic Ticket
When you get a traffic ticket in Maricopa, the citation shows your court date and the charges. You must respond before that date. Options include paying the fine, contesting the charge at a hearing, or attending defensive driving school if eligible.
Defensive driving school is available for some violations. You must complete the class at least seven days before your court date. The Arizona Supreme Court maintains a list of approved schools at azcourts.gov/drive. Only approved schools are accepted. Completion certificates from other providers will be rejected.
The court does not grant extensions on traffic citations. If you need more time, you must file a formal motion with the court and explain the reason. The judge decides whether to grant or deny the motion. Do not assume you have more time. Missing your court date results in a default judgment and additional fees.
Ignoring a traffic ticket leads to serious consequences. The court issues a default judgment. Your case goes to collections. The Motor Vehicle Division may place a hold on your registration renewal through the Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program. You cannot renew your vehicle registration until you clear the debt.
Note: TTEAP holds affect both the defendant and any co-owner of the vehicle.
Get Copies of Court Documents
Maricopa Municipal Court maintains files for all cases filed in the city. You can request copies of court records, case files, or hearing recordings. Requests must include your case number and specify which documents you need.
Contact the court clerk at (520) 494-2300 to make a records request. You can also visit the courthouse in person at 39600 W. Civic Center Plaza. Bring identification and your case number if you have it. The clerk will tell you the cost before processing your request.
Arizona law allows courts to charge fees for public records. The research fee is $17 to search for records. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certification adds another $17 per case. Audio recordings are $17 per CD. These fees cover the cost of staff time and materials.
Courts destroy records after the retention period expires. Civil traffic cases are kept for one year after final adjudication. Criminal traffic offenses are kept longer. DUI and domestic violence cases have eight year retention requirements. If your case is old, the records may no longer exist.
Pinal County Justice Courts
The City of Maricopa is located in Pinal County. If your traffic ticket was written by a Pinal County deputy or Arizona state trooper, your case goes to Pinal County Justice Court. The county operates six Justice Court precincts across the county.
The Western Pinal Justice Court precinct (JP4) serves the Maricopa area. Cases on county roads, state highways, or unincorporated areas near the city are filed there. The phone number for Western Pinal Justice Court is (520) 866-3999. Do not confuse this with Maricopa Municipal Court.
Your citation clearly states which court has jurisdiction. Look at the top of the ticket for the court name. If it says Maricopa Municipal Court, go to 39600 W. Civic Center Plaza. If it says Pinal County Justice Court, contact the county system. For more information on county courts, visit the Pinal County Justice Courts page.
Arizona Traffic Resources
The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division maintains driving records for all licensed drivers. You can order your motor vehicle record online at AZMVDNow.gov. An uncertified three year record costs $3. A certified five year record costs $5.
Your driving record shows all traffic violations, license suspensions, and points assessed. Insurance companies use this information to set rates. Employers may also request a copy as part of background checks. You can order your own record anytime to see what is on file.
The Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program helps Arizona courts collect unpaid fines. After two failed collection attempts, the Motor Vehicle Division places a TTEAP hold on your registration. You cannot renew your vehicle registration until you pay the court. The hold also affects co-owners of the vehicle.
More information about TTEAP is available at the Arizona Courts TTEAP page. The program is run by the Arizona Supreme Court and Arizona Department of Transportation. All Arizona courts participate in TTEAP enforcement.
Legal Assistance and Representation
You have the right to hire an attorney for any traffic case. Most people handle minor civil traffic violations on their own. For criminal traffic charges, an attorney is highly recommended. Criminal charges include DUI, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, and leaving the scene of an accident.
The State Bar of Arizona operates a lawyer referral service at azbar.org. You can search for attorneys by practice area and location. Many lawyers offer free consultations to discuss your case and fees. Some work on flat fees for traffic cases. Others charge hourly rates.
If you cannot afford an attorney and face criminal charges that could result in jail time, ask the court about public defender services. You must qualify based on income. The court clerk can provide information and forms to apply for appointed counsel. Civil traffic violations do not qualify for public defenders.
Community Legal Services may help low income residents with certain legal issues. Their website is clsaz.org. They do not handle all traffic cases. Call to see if they can assist with your situation or provide referrals to other resources.
Other Pinal County Cities
Pinal County has several cities with their own municipal courts:
Apache Junction operates a municipal court but sits on the border of Pinal County and Maricopa County. Other cities in Pinal County like Florence, Coolidge, and Eloy are smaller and may not have separate municipal courts. Check your citation to see which court handles your case.