Find Tempe Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Tempe involve cases filed at the Tempe Municipal Court, which handles all citations written by Tempe Police within city limits. The court sits at 140 East Fifth Street in downtown Tempe and processes thousands of traffic violations each year. You can look up case info using the city's online system or visit the courthouse during business hours to get copies of documents. All traffic tickets from Tempe Police go through this court unless they involve serious criminal charges that get sent to Maricopa County Superior Court. Most cases are civil traffic violations that do not result in jail time.
Tempe Municipal Court Quick Facts
Tempe Municipal Court Location
The Tempe Municipal Court is at 140 East Fifth Street, Tempe, AZ 85281. This is in the downtown area near Mill Avenue. The building serves as the central hub for all city traffic cases. You can walk in during regular hours to pay fines, file motions, or request information.
Court hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office is closed on weekends. It also shuts down for state holidays. If you need to call, dial (480) 350-8271. Staff can answer basic questions about your case over the phone. For more complex issues, they may ask you to come in person. Parking is available in nearby city lots and on street meters.
Traffic violations from Tempe Police go to this court. That includes speeding tickets, red light violations, stop sign violations, and other moving violations. Cases from Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers or Maricopa County deputies go to Maricopa County Justice Courts instead. Check your citation to see which court has jurisdiction.
Search Traffic Cases Online
Tempe runs an online case search portal at courtcaseinfo.tempe.gov. The system lets you look up cases by name, citation number, or case number. Results show charges, court dates, fines, and payment status. You do not need to create an account. The search is free.
The database updates regularly but may not show brand new cases filed within the last day or two. Give it a few business days after your ticket was issued. If you cannot find your case online, call the court. They can check manually. The website works on phones and computers. Some older cases may not appear if they were filed before the system went digital.
For statewide searches that cover multiple courts, try the Arizona Courts Public Access system. That portal searches 153 courts across Arizona at once. It includes Justice Courts and some Municipal Courts but not all city courts participate.
Request Court Records
Tempe Municipal Court uses the JustFOIA system for public records requests. Go to tempe.justfoia.com/Forms/Launch to submit your request online. The form asks for your contact info and details about which records you want. Be specific. Include case numbers if you have them.
The court states that the average processing time is 10 business days. That is about two weeks. Some requests take longer if they involve many pages or complex searches. Simple requests for a single case may be done faster. You will get an email when your records are ready. Fees depend on what you request. Copies typically cost 50 cents per page under Arizona law. Certification adds extra charges.
You can also request records in person at the courthouse. Bring photo ID. Fill out a request form at the counter. Staff can give you an estimate of how much it will cost. Payment is due when you pick up the documents. The court accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. For very large requests, they may ask for payment in advance.
Note: Court clerks cannot provide legal advice about your case.
Pay Traffic Fines
If you want to pay your traffic fine without going to court, you have several options. Many people pay online because it is fast and works 24/7. Visit the Tempe City Court website for links to payment portals. The city uses third-party payment processors that charge a convenience fee.
You can pay by phone as well. Some systems let you call a number and enter your case info with the keypad. Check the citation for phone payment instructions. There is usually a fee for phone payments too. In-person payments at the courthouse counter avoid most fees. Just bring cash, a check, or a card. Get a receipt for your records.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, ask about a payment plan. The court may approve monthly installments. There is often a fee to set up a plan. You must make payments on time. Missing a payment can trigger a default judgment and license suspension. Arizona law allows courts to report unpaid fines to the Motor Vehicle Division through the TTEAP program. That puts a hold on your vehicle registration.
Defensive Driving School Option
Some traffic violations qualify for defensive driving school. If you take an approved course and pass, the court will dismiss the ticket. No points go on your license. You still pay fees. The class itself costs money too. But you avoid the insurance rate hike that comes with points.
You must complete the class at least seven days before your court date. Do not wait until the last minute. The Arizona Supreme Court website at azcourts.gov/drive lists approved schools. Most offer online courses. Some have in-person options. You can only use defensive driving once every 24 months for a moving violation.
Not all tickets are eligible. Serious charges like DUI, reckless driving, or speeding more than 20 mph over the limit usually do not qualify. Commercial driver's license holders have different rules. Check with the court to confirm your case is eligible before you pay for a class. The school will send proof of completion to the court electronically.
Traffic Court Procedures
When you get a traffic ticket in Tempe, the citation tells you what to do next. You have a deadline to respond. You can pay the fine and accept guilt. You can request a hearing to fight the ticket. Or you can attend defensive driving if eligible. Do not ignore the citation. Failure to respond results in default judgment.
If you miss your court date, the judge can issue a default. That adds fees to your case. It can also suspend your license. The court may issue a warrant for criminal traffic cases. For civil traffic violations, they report you to the MVD. Then you cannot renew your registration until you clear the debt.
To request a hearing, follow the instructions on your ticket. You may need to fill out a form or call the court. The hearing is your chance to present evidence and cross-examine the officer. You can hire a lawyer or represent yourself. The judge will hear both sides and make a decision. If you lose, you pay the fine plus any court costs. If you win, the case is dismissed.
For minor tickets, some people find it easier to just pay the fine. For serious charges or if you believe the ticket is wrong, a hearing may be worth it. Weigh the cost of your time and possible attorney fees against the fine and insurance impact. Each case is different.
Other Traffic Record Resources
Tempe Municipal Court only handles city tickets. For other traffic records in Arizona, check these sources. The Arizona MVD maintains driving records at azdot.gov/mvd. You can order a three-year or five-year history. The three-year version costs $3. The five-year certified record is $5. Both are available online at AZMVDNow.gov.
If your violation happened on a state highway, it may have gone to a Maricopa County Justice Court instead. See the Maricopa County page for details on the 26 Justice Court precincts. DUI and other criminal traffic charges go to Superior Court. Search those cases at the Superior Court docket portal.
Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains accident reports for crashes on state routes. Contact DPS Records at (602) 223-2000 to request collision reports. Fees start at $9 for paper copies. The report must involve a DPS trooper. City police accident reports stay with the local police department, not the court.
Nearby City Courts
Other cities in Maricopa County have their own Municipal Courts for traffic cases. If your ticket was from a different city, check these courts: