Search Apache County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Apache County are maintained through the Justice Courts and Superior Court in St. Johns. Citations issued by state troopers or county deputies are filed at Justice Court. Online access to Superior Court cases has been available since 1995 at no charge. Most traffic violations fall under Justice Court jurisdiction unless they involve criminal charges like DUI or reckless driving. You can search cases by name or case number through county systems. The courthouse is located at 70 W. 3rd South St. in St. Johns. Phone contact is (928) 337-7550 for general questions about case status and filing procedures. Operating hours run Monday through Friday during standard business days.
Apache County Traffic Court Quick Facts
Apache County Justice Courts
The Justice Courts in Apache County handle civil and criminal traffic violations for incidents outside city limits. State Route 191, US Highway 180, and other county roads fall under Justice Court jurisdiction. When Arizona Department of Public Safety officers or county deputies write tickets, those cases get filed at the local Justice Court.
The main Justice Courts page is at apachecountyaz.gov/Justice-Courts. This page lists contact details for each precinct and explains how to reach the right office. Apache County operates multiple Justice Court locations to serve different areas. Each court has a specific geographic boundary. Your citation shows which court handles your case.
Traffic tickets require a response by the date printed on the citation. You can pay the fine, request a hearing, or attend defensive driving school if eligible. Arizona law allows defensive driving for certain violations once every 24 months. You must complete the class at least seven days before your court date. The court does not grant extensions except for documented emergencies.
Fines vary by violation type and speed. A ticket for 10 over the limit costs less than 20 over. No insurance violations carry much higher fines. The court adds fees on top of base fines. These include state surcharges and court costs. If you miss your due date, expect a default fee and possible license suspension.
Superior Court Traffic Cases
Apache County Superior Court handles serious criminal traffic offenses. These include DUI, extreme DUI, aggravated DUI, hit and run with injuries, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license. The court also processes appeals from Justice Court decisions.
Superior Court cases since 1995 are accessible online at no charge according to the Apache County Superior Court page. This makes Apache County one of the few rural Arizona counties with long-term digital access to court records. The system covers both civil and criminal cases filed in Superior Court.
To search, you typically need the defendant's name or a case number. Results show filing dates, charges, hearing schedules, and dispositions. If your case is older than 1995, you must contact the Clerk of the Superior Court directly. The office is at 70 W. 3rd South St., PO Box 365, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Call (928) 337-7550 for questions about archived records.
Criminal traffic charges in Superior Court often require an attorney. Public defenders are available if you cannot afford private counsel. The court will appoint one at your initial appearance. Do not skip your court date. A warrant will be issued for failure to appear.
Search Cases Online
Apache County provides online access to court records through multiple systems. The statewide Arizona Courts Public Access portal at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx includes Apache County cases. This database covers 153 out of 180 courts in Arizona. You can search by name, case number, or citation number.
Results display basic information such as case type, filing date, and current status. For detailed documents, you may need to request copies from the court. The online system is free to use. No registration is required. It works on desktop computers, tablets, and phones. Some newly filed cases take a few days to appear in the search results.
The Arizona Judicial Branch website also offers the eAccess portal at eaccess.azcourts.gov. This system provides another way to look up case information across multiple counties. If you cannot find your case online, call the court directly at (928) 337-7550. Staff can verify whether your case exists and provide the case number.
Pay Traffic Fines
You have several options for paying traffic fines in Apache County. Many courts accept payments through AZCourtPay.com, a statewide payment system. This site lets you pay by credit card or debit card. A convenience fee applies to card transactions.
You can also pay in person at the courthouse in St. Johns. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make checks payable to the specific court listed on your citation. Bring your citation or case number when you pay. The clerk will give you a receipt. Keep that receipt as proof of payment.
If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about a payment plan. Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-116 allows courts to set up installment agreements. A $20 time payment fee applies per case. You must fill out a financial statement form. The court reviews your income and expenses. If approved, you make monthly payments. Missing a payment can result in default and license suspension.
Mail-in payments are accepted at PO Box 365, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Include your citation number on the check. Allow extra time for mail processing. Your payment may not post immediately. Check your case status online after a few days to confirm receipt.
Note: Returned checks incur a $25 fee under Arizona law.
Request Copies of Court Records
To get copies of traffic court records, contact the Clerk of the Court at 70 W. 3rd South St., St. Johns, AZ 85936. You can call (928) 337-7550 to ask about the records request process. Most courts require a written request that includes the case number, parties' names, and specific documents needed.
Copy fees are 50 cents per page under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-115. Certification costs an additional $17 to $35 depending on the court. Certified copies are needed for MVD abstracts, insurance claims, and legal filings. Regular copies are sufficient for personal records.
Research fees may apply if you need the court to search for old cases. Arizona Revised Statutes Section 22-404 authorizes a $17 search fee. This covers staff time to locate files. Commercial requesters who want bulk records may pay higher fees.
Processing time varies. Simple requests for recent cases may be ready in a few days. Older files take longer to retrieve from archives. Some courts mail copies if you provide payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Always confirm current procedures before submitting a request.
Defensive Driving School Eligibility
Arizona allows eligible drivers to attend defensive driving school to avoid points on their license. You must complete an approved course and pay all fees. The violation is then designated as a civil traffic offense with no points reported to MVD.
Not all violations qualify. Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-3392 sets the rules. You cannot use defensive driving for commercial vehicle tickets, DUI, reckless driving, or leaving the scene of an accident. You also cannot use it more than once in 12 months for moving violations or once in 24 months for photo radar tickets.
The course must be completed at least seven days before your court date. Visit azcourts.gov/drive to find approved schools. Online classes are available. You pay the school directly for the course. You also pay the court its diversion fee. Total costs are usually between $200 and $300.
After finishing the class, the school sends a completion certificate to the court. The court then dismisses the charge or processes the civil disposition. Check with the court to make sure they received your certificate. If they do not get it by your court date, a default judgment may be entered.
The Arizona Supreme Court does not grant traffic citation extensions according to the defensive driving portal. Do not wait until the last minute to sign up for a class. Technical problems or scheduling conflicts can prevent timely completion.
License and Registration Holds
If you do not pay your traffic fine or appear in court, the Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program (TTEAP) may place a hold on your vehicle registration. This program is a partnership between Arizona courts and the Motor Vehicle Division. It was created to collect delinquent court debts.
After two failed collection attempts, MVD places a TTEAP hold on your registration renewal. You cannot renew your vehicle registration until you resolve the debt. The hold affects both the defendant and any co-owner of the vehicle. This means your spouse or family member cannot renew the registration either if their name is on the title.
You can check for holds at AZMVDNow.gov or by calling MVD. To clear a hold, pay the full amount owed or set up a payment plan with the court. Once payment is made, the court notifies MVD. The hold is released within a few business days. You can then renew your registration online or at an MVD office.
More information about TTEAP is available at azcourts.gov TTEAP page. The page explains how holds work and what to do if you think a hold was placed in error. Some courts also use license suspensions for unpaid tickets. Check your driver license status at MVD to see if any suspensions are active.
Driving Records and MVD Information
Traffic convictions appear on your Motor Vehicle Division driving record. Employers, insurance companies, and licensing boards can request your MVD record. You can also get a copy for yourself.
Visit azdot.gov MVD records page to learn how to request a record. Uncertified three-year records cost $3. Certified five-year records cost $5. You can order online at AZMVDNow.gov if eligible. You can also mail a Motor Vehicle Record Request form with payment to MVD or visit any MVD office in person.
Your signature on the form must be notarized or witnessed by an MVD agent. This requirement comes from the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which limits who can access driver license information. Arizona law adopted these federal rules in Title 28, Chapter 2, Article 5 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
MVD records show all traffic convictions, license suspensions, DUI offenses, and points. Points stay on your record for 12 months from the violation date. Too many points can lead to a suspension. Eight points in 12 months triggers a suspension for drivers under 18. Twelve to 17 points require a defensive driving class. Eighteen or more points result in a one-year suspension.
Accident Reports
If your traffic violation involved a collision investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, you can request a copy of the accident report. DPS maintains reports for crashes on interstates and state highways. The Department Records Unit receives completed reports from troopers within 14 days of the incident.
Visit azdps.gov records request portal to submit a request. Paper reports sent by mail cost $9 for the first nine pages plus 10 cents for each additional page. You need the date of the crash, location, and names of drivers involved.
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-667 prohibits using accident reports for commercial solicitation. Lawyers and medical providers cannot buy reports to market their services to crash victims. Violations can result in criminal penalties.
Call the Department Records Unit at (602) 223-2000, option 2, if you have questions. For technical support with the online portal, call (602) 223-2999, option 8. Reports are usually available within a few weeks after the crash. New reports may not be ready immediately.
Legal Help and Court Forms
Arizona courts provide self-help resources for people without attorneys. The statewide court system offers forms, instructions, and guidance on common legal issues. Traffic cases are usually straightforward, but criminal traffic charges may require legal advice.
If you cannot afford an attorney, you may qualify for a public defender in criminal cases. The court appoints counsel at your first appearance. For civil traffic matters, public defenders are not available. You represent yourself or hire a private lawyer.
Some rural areas have legal aid organizations that help low-income residents. These groups may provide advice on traffic issues or refer you to other resources. Contact the court to ask about local legal aid programs.
Court forms are available online and at the courthouse. Bring all completed forms to your hearing or file them in advance. The clerk can answer questions about filing procedures but cannot give legal advice. If you need help understanding your rights or options, consult an attorney.
Nearby County Courts
If your traffic violation occurred in a neighboring county, you need to contact that county's court system:
Each county operates its own courts with separate filing systems and procedures. Your citation indicates which county has jurisdiction. Always verify jurisdiction before filing documents or making payments.