Scottsdale Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records for Scottsdale are maintained by the Scottsdale City Court at 3700 N. 75th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. The court processes all traffic citations issued by Scottsdale police within city limits. You can search cases online, make payments through the city's eServices portal, and request records by contacting the court directly. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The court does not open on weekends or holidays. If a state trooper or county deputy wrote your ticket, the case goes to Maricopa County Justice Court instead. Scottsdale City Court only handles citations from Scottsdale police officers. Most traffic violations are civil matters that can be resolved by paying a fine or attending defensive driving school.
Scottsdale City Court Quick Facts
Scottsdale City Court
The Scottsdale City Court is at 3700 N. 75th St. in Scottsdale, AZ 85251. You can walk in Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Call 480-312-2442 if you have questions about your case or need help with payment options.
This court handles traffic cases from Scottsdale police officers. Your citation shows which court has jurisdiction. If it says Scottsdale Municipal Court, you are in the right spot. State Route 101 and Loop 202 run through Scottsdale, but highway patrol tickets go to Maricopa County Justice Courts. The issuing agency matters more than the location sometimes.
Free parking is available at the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security screening happens at the entrance. Leave weapons and sharp objects at home. Court clerks can help with basic questions, but they cannot give legal advice. Hire an attorney if you need legal guidance.
The Scottsdale City Court website has forms, FAQs, and information about court procedures. You can also find links to online payment and case search systems on the site.
Pay and Search Cases Online
Scottsdale runs an eServices portal at eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/Court/Case where you can pay fines and search for case information. The system works 24 hours a day. You need a case number or citation number to log in. Once you find your case, you can see the balance owed, court dates, and charges.
Online payments go through immediately. The system accepts major credit cards and debit cards. Convenience fees may apply depending on the payment processor. Check the site for current fee amounts. If you prefer to pay in person, visit the courthouse during business hours. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted at the clerk's window.
The eServices portal also lets you request a hearing or ask for a time extension in some cases. Follow the instructions on the screen. The court reviews online requests and sends you a response by mail or email. Do not assume your request is granted until you get confirmation from the court.
Court Fees in Scottsdale
Scottsdale City Court charges a $20 payment plan fee plus a $15 contract administration fee if you need to set up monthly payments. The total upfront cost is $35 before you start making installment payments on your fine. Missing a payment can trigger additional penalties.
Default fees are $75 per civil traffic violation. A default happens when you ignore a ticket and fail to respond by the due date. The court enters a judgment against you and tacks on the $75 fee. Your total balance goes up. The court can also ask the Motor Vehicle Division to suspend your vehicle registration through the TTEAP program.
Dishonored payment fees are $25. This applies when your check bounces or a credit card payment is declined. You still owe the original fine plus the $25 fee. The court may refuse to accept personal checks from you in the future if you have repeated dishonored payments.
Copy fees and certification fees apply when you request court records. The court follows state law for these charges. Expect to pay per page for copies and a flat fee for certified documents. Contact the court clerk at 480-312-2442 for exact pricing on records requests.
Types of Traffic Cases
Civil traffic violations make up most of the cases at Scottsdale City Court. Speeding tickets, stop sign violations, and illegal lane changes fall into this category. These are not crimes. You do not get a criminal record from a civil traffic conviction. Pay the fine or attend defensive driving if eligible. The case closes once you complete your obligation.
Criminal traffic charges are more serious. DUI, extreme DUI, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license are criminal offenses. These cases require a court appearance. You cannot just pay a fine online. A conviction creates a permanent criminal record. Jail time is possible for some offenses. Insurance rates go up. Employers see the conviction on background checks.
Defensive driving school is an option for some civil violations. You must complete the course at least seven days before your court date. Online and in-person classes are available from state-approved schools. Once you finish, the school sends a certificate to the court. The ticket gets dismissed if everything is done correctly. You still pay the school fee and a court administrative fee, but no points go on your license. You can only use defensive driving once every two years under ARS 28-3392.
Ignoring a traffic ticket creates problems. The court enters a default judgment. Fees increase. Your driver's license may be suspended. The Motor Vehicle Division puts a hold on your vehicle registration. You cannot renew your plates until you pay the debt. Warrants can be issued for failure to appear on criminal traffic charges.
Request Court Records
You can request traffic court records from Scottsdale City Court by calling 480-312-2442 or visiting the courthouse in person. Staff need your case number or full name and date of birth to locate your file. Fees apply for copies and certified documents.
Most traffic records are public. Anyone can request them. Employers, insurance companies, and attorneys often pull court records to check for violations. The court keeps files for a certain number of years after the case closes. Once the retention period expires, old records get destroyed. Civil traffic records typically have a shorter retention period than criminal cases.
If you need a complete Arizona driving record, contact the Motor Vehicle Division instead of the court. MVD tracks all traffic convictions from every court in the state. You can order a three-year uncertified record for $3 or a five-year certified record for $5. Use the MVD records request page to submit your request. Some records can be ordered online at AZMVDNow.gov if you are eligible.
Court records show case-specific details like charges, fines, and court appearances. MVD records show your overall driving history, including points, suspensions, and all convictions statewide. Both types of records serve different purposes. Know which one you need before you request it.
Note: Records requests can take several business days to process.
Which Court Handles Your Ticket
Scottsdale sits in Maricopa County. Traffic cases go to different courts based on who wrote the ticket and where the violation occurred. Scottsdale police tickets go to Scottsdale City Court. Highway patrol tickets go to Maricopa County Justice Court. Sheriff's office tickets also go to Justice Court.
Look at your citation to find the court name. It is printed near the top or bottom of the ticket. If it says Scottsdale Municipal Court, you deal with Scottsdale. If it says Justice Court, you need to contact the Maricopa County Justice Courts. Maricopa County has 26 Justice Court precincts. Your ticket lists the specific precinct with jurisdiction over your case.
Do not guess which court to contact based on where you live. Jurisdiction depends on the location of the violation and the law enforcement agency involved. A Scottsdale resident can get a ticket in Tempe, and that case goes to Tempe Municipal Court. A Phoenix resident can get a Scottsdale police ticket in Scottsdale, and the case stays here.
Arizona Traffic Court Resources
Arizona operates several statewide systems for traffic court matters. The AZ Courts Public Access database covers over 150 courts across the state. You can search for cases by name or case number. Not every Municipal Court participates, but many Justice Courts and Superior Courts do. The system is free to use.
TTEAP stands for Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program. It is a collection tool courts use when people ignore traffic fines. If you fail to pay, the court asks MVD to put a hold on your vehicle registration. You cannot renew your plates until the debt is cleared. This affects the registered owner and any co-owners of the vehicle. Two failed collection attempts trigger the hold. Learn more at azcourts.gov.
The Arizona Supreme Court does not grant traffic citation extensions. Do not ask them for more time. Only the court listed on your ticket can approve extensions. Some courts allow online extension requests. Others require you to appear in person or submit a written motion. Check with Scottsdale City Court about their specific extension procedures.
Sealing criminal traffic records became possible on December 31, 2022, under ARS 13-911. This law lets you petition the court to seal certain criminal convictions, including some traffic offenses. Sealing hides the record from most background checks but does not erase it. DUI convictions and other serious offenses cannot be sealed. Talk to a lawyer to see if you qualify.
Get Legal Assistance
Most civil traffic tickets do not require a lawyer. You can handle the case yourself by paying the fine or attending defensive driving school. Criminal traffic charges are different. DUI, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license are serious offenses. A conviction can mean jail time, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record.
If you face criminal traffic charges and cannot afford an attorney, the court may appoint a public defender. You must fill out a financial affidavit to qualify. Public defenders only handle criminal cases. Civil traffic violations do not qualify for appointed counsel. You need to hire a private lawyer if you want representation for a civil matter.
The State Bar of Arizona offers a lawyer referral service. Call them to get names of attorneys who handle traffic cases in Scottsdale. Some lawyers give free consultations. Others charge a flat fee for traffic defense. Fees depend on the case complexity and the attorney's experience. Ask about costs upfront before you hire someone.
Legal aid organizations in Maricopa County may offer free advice clinics for certain types of cases. Most do not handle traffic tickets, but it is worth calling to ask. Community Legal Services and other nonprofits focus on civil legal issues like housing, family law, and public benefits. Traffic defense usually is not on their list of services.
Nearby Municipal Courts
If your ticket is from a different city in the Phoenix area, check these Municipal Court pages:
Each city runs its own court with separate fees and procedures.