Mesa Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for Mesa are kept at the Mesa Municipal Court located at 250 E. 1st Ave. The court handles violations written by Mesa police within city limits. You can search your case online or visit in person to get copies. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 7 AM to 6 PM. Fridays are not work days. You need a case number or citation number to look up your record. The court processes civil and criminal traffic cases, handles payments, and issues documents. All Mesa traffic violations written by city officers go through this court. County and state tickets go to Maricopa County Justice Courts instead.
Mesa Traffic Court Quick Facts
Mesa Municipal Court Location
The Mesa Municipal Court sits at 250 E. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210. This is the only court for Mesa city traffic tickets. Park in nearby lots or on the street. Doors open at 7 in the morning. They close at 6 in the evening. The court works Monday through Thursday. It is shut on Friday, weekends, and holidays. Phone support is at 480-644-2255. Staff can answer case questions and tell you your balance.
Bring your citation when you visit. It has your case number on it. The number helps staff find your record fast. You can pay fines, set up payment plans, request hearings, and pick up forms at the front desk. If you need to speak with a judge, ask about scheduling a hearing date. Walk-ins are common but expect to wait during busy hours.
Pay Fines and Search Cases Online
Mesa runs an online court system at ecourt.mesaaz.gov. You can search for your case by entering your citation number or full name. Results show your charges, due dates, and the amount owed. The site also lets you pay fines with a credit card or debit card. Processing fees may apply to online payments.
The online system works on phones, tablets, and computers. It is available any time of day. If your case does not appear, it may be too new. Some filings take a few days to show up in the database. Call the court if you cannot find your record after a week. Staff can verify if the case was filed and give you the number.
You can also search statewide records through the Arizona Courts Public Access system. That site covers many courts but not all municipal courts participate. For Mesa cases, the city's own portal is more reliable.
Court Fees and Fines
Mesa Municipal Court charges specific fees for various services. A $20 time payment fee applies when you set up a payment plan. If you fail to pay by the due date, the court adds a $70 default fee. Delinquency brings a $49 fee. These charges are in addition to your original fine.
The court offers community restitution as a way to reduce fines. One hour of community service satisfies $16 of your fine. You must sign up through the court and complete the hours at an approved location. The work must be done before your deadline. Bring proof of completion to the clerk's office to get credit applied to your balance.
Payment methods include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. The court accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Some payment options charge a convenience fee. Ask the clerk about fees before you choose how to pay.
Types of Traffic Violations
Mesa Municipal Court handles both civil and criminal traffic offenses. Civil violations are the most common. These include speeding, running a red light, failure to yield, and other non-criminal infractions. You can usually pay the fine or request a hearing. Some violations qualify for defensive driving school.
Criminal traffic charges are more serious. They include DUI, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, and leaving the scene of an accident. These require a court appearance. You may need a lawyer. Convictions can result in jail time, license suspension, and higher fines. The court sets hearing dates and notifies you by mail.
Defensive driving school is an option for some civil violations. You must complete the course at least seven days before your court date. Arizona has approved schools listed at azcourts.gov/drive. Finishing the class prevents points from going on your license. The citation must be eligible. Ask the court if you qualify before you sign up.
Note: The Arizona Supreme Court does not grant traffic citation extensions.
License Suspension and TTEAP
Ignoring a Mesa traffic ticket can result in a license hold through the Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program. TTEAP is a state program that blocks vehicle registration renewals when you have unpaid court debt. After two failed collection attempts, the Motor Vehicle Division puts a hold on your registration. The hold affects both the vehicle owner and any co-owners.
You can check if you have a TTEAP hold by visiting the TTEAP page. To lift the hold, you must pay your balance or set up a payment plan with Mesa Municipal Court. Once the court clears the debt, they notify MVD. It can take a few days for the hold to be removed from your record. Then you can renew your registration.
If your license is suspended for other reasons, you may need to contact the Motor Vehicle Division directly. MVD maintains driving records and handles license reinstatements. For driving record requests, visit the MVD records page. Uncertified records cost $3. Certified records are $5.
Request Copies of Court Documents
You can get copies of your Mesa traffic court records by contacting the court clerk. Call 480-644-2255 to ask about the process. You need to provide your case number and identify which documents you want. Common requests include copies of citations, court orders, and payment receipts.
Fees for copies depend on the type of record. Most courts charge around 50 cents per page for paper copies. Certification may cost extra. Audio recordings of hearings can also be requested but usually require a fee. Ask the clerk for the exact cost before you submit your request.
Arizona public records law allows you to inspect and copy most court documents. However, some information may be redacted or withheld if it is confidential. Law enforcement officers, judges, and certain other individuals can request redaction under Arizona statute. For general public records requests, see ARS § 39-121.
Maricopa County Justice Courts
Mesa is in Maricopa County. If your traffic ticket was written by a state trooper or county deputy, your case goes to a Maricopa County Justice Court instead of the Mesa Municipal Court. The county operates 26 Justice Court precincts across the metro area. Two of these are in Mesa: East Mesa precinct and Highland precinct. Both are at 222 E. Javelina Ave but in different suites.
East Mesa Justice Court is in Suite C. The phone number is 602-506-8117. Highland Justice Court is in Suite A. Call 602-372-8300 for that precinct. Each has its own case files and staff. You must go to the precinct listed on your citation. The ticket will say which one filed your case.
For more details on Maricopa County traffic cases, visit the Maricopa County traffic court records page. That page lists all 26 precincts, fees, and online search tools. You can also search county cases at justicecourts.maricopa.gov/app/courtrecords/casesearch.
Arizona Traffic Laws and Statutes
Arizona law governs traffic violations and court procedures. Key statutes include rules on public records access, court fees, and defensive driving eligibility. The state legislature publishes the full Arizona Revised Statutes online.
Public records are defined under ARS § 28-447. That law states which MVD records are public and which are private. Medical reports are excepted from disclosure. Court copy fees are set by ARS § 28-446. The statute allows the department to charge up to three dollars per item for records.
Defensive driving school eligibility is outlined in ARS § 28-3392. The law lists which violations qualify and how often you can attend. TTEAP contracts are authorized under ARS § 28-1633. Courts can contract with ADOT to enforce unpaid ticket collections.
Sealing criminal traffic records became possible on December 31, 2022. Arizona now allows you to petition to seal some criminal traffic convictions under ARS § 13-911. Not all cases qualify. Check with the court or a lawyer to see if your record can be sealed.
Motor Vehicle Division Records
Your driving record is maintained by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division. A motor vehicle record shows your license status, traffic convictions, and points. You can get a copy online at AZMVDNow.gov if you are eligible. The site lets you view and print your record instantly.
You can also request a record by mail or at an MVD office. Fill out Form 46-4416 and submit it with the fee. An uncertified three-year driving record costs $3. A certified five-year record is $5. Your signature on the form must be notarized or witnessed by an MVD agent. Mail requests go to the address on the form.
The Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act limits who can access your record and how it can be used. Arizona follows this law under Title 28, Chapter 2, Article 5. Commercial use of records is restricted. Some information may be redacted if you qualify under ARS § 28-454.
For collision reports, contact the Department of Public Safety if a DPS trooper investigated the crash. The Department Records Unit handles reports for accidents on interstates and state highways. Visit the DPS records portal to request a report. Paper copies cost $9 for the first nine pages, then 10 cents per extra page.
Nearby City Courts
If your traffic ticket was in a nearby city, check these municipal courts:
Each city has its own court with different hours and fees. Contact the court directly for case information.