Traffic Court Records in Gila County
Traffic court records in Gila County are maintained by the Justice Court located in Globe. The court handles all traffic violations issued by county deputies and state troopers within Gila County boundaries. You can search for cases, pay fines online, and request court documents through the county system. The Justice Court is at 1400 E Ash St in Globe. Call (928) 425-3231 for questions about your case. Online payments go through a separate portal. The court keeps records of civil and criminal traffic offenses including speeding tickets, red light violations, and license suspensions.
Gila County Traffic Court Quick Facts
Gila County Justice Court
The Gila County Justice Court operates from one central location in Globe. This court has jurisdiction over all traffic cases where the citation was issued by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers, Gila County Sheriff's deputies, or other county law enforcement. The building is at 1400 E Ash St. Park in the public lot. Walk to the front desk. Staff can help you with payments, court dates, or record requests.
Court hours run from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. They are closed on weekends. State holidays shut the courthouse. Call ahead if you plan to visit on a day near a federal holiday. The main phone line is (928) 425-3231. Staff answer questions about case status, payment amounts, and court procedures. They cannot give legal advice.
For detailed information about the court system, visit the Gila County Courts website. That page has links to forms, fees, and contact info for other court divisions.
The county site shows all court divisions under one roof. Justice Court handles misdemeanors and traffic. Superior Court deals with felonies and civil cases over a certain dollar amount. Each division has separate clerks and files.
Pay Traffic Fines Online
Gila County Justice Court uses an online payment system at globeazpayments.com. You can pay traffic fines 24 hours a day through that portal. Enter your case number or citation number to pull up your balance. The system accepts credit cards and debit cards. A convenience fee applies to card transactions.
The payment portal shows your case details. It lists all charges. It breaks down fines, fees, and surcharges. You can pay the full amount or make a partial payment if the court approved a payment plan. Always get a receipt. Save the confirmation number. If you have questions about your balance, call the court directly at the number listed above.
In-person payments at the courthouse accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some credit cards work at the counter but may have the same fee as online. Ask the clerk which payment methods have no extra charge.
Search for Traffic Cases
Gila County participates in the Arizona statewide case search system. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and select Gila County from the dropdown menu. The search lets you look up cases by name, case number, or citation number. Results show the charge, filing date, and current status. Most Gila County Justice Court cases appear in this database.
The statewide system is free. No account is needed. You can search on any device with internet access. New cases may take a few days to show up after the ticket is written. Old cases that are closed might not display all details. For complete information about a closed case, you need to request official records from the clerk.
If you cannot find your case in the online search, call the court. Staff can check the local system. Some tickets take longer to process. If you just received the citation, it might not be in the computer yet. Allow at least one business day after the ticket date before searching.
How Traffic Cases Work
When you get a traffic ticket in Gila County, the citation tells you what to do next. Civil traffic violations let you pay a fine without appearing in court. Criminal traffic charges require a court hearing. Read the ticket carefully. It lists the violation code, fine amount, and court date if one is scheduled.
For civil violations, you have options. Pay the fine by the due date. Attend defensive driving school if eligible. Or request a hearing to contest the charge. Defensive driving must be completed at least seven days before your court date. The Arizona Supreme Court website at azcourts.gov/drive has a list of approved schools.
Do not ignore your ticket. If you fail to respond, the court enters a default judgment. Your license gets suspended through the Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program. That program is run by the state. Once TTEAP places a hold, you cannot renew your vehicle registration. The Motor Vehicle Division blocks the renewal until you pay the court debt and all associated fees. More information about TTEAP is available at azcourts.gov TTEAP page.
Note: Default fees and late penalties can double the original fine amount.
Get Copies of Court Records
To get copies of your traffic court records, contact the Gila County Justice Court clerk in person or by mail. The address is 1400 E Ash St, Globe, Arizona 85501. You need to provide your case number and specify which documents you want. Standard copy fees apply.
Arizona law sets the fees for court records. Copies cost 50 cents per page under ARS 12-115. Certified copies have an additional certification fee. Audio recordings of hearings may be available for certain case types. Ask the clerk about audio availability and fees. Some older cases may no longer have records if the retention period expired.
Driving records are different from court records. Your driving record comes from the Motor Vehicle Division, not the court. You can request your MVD record online at azmvdnow.gov. That system charges $3 for a three-year uncertified record or $5 for a five-year certified record as specified in ARS 28-446. The MVD record shows all traffic convictions, license suspensions, and points on your license.
Common Traffic Violations
Gila County Justice Court handles many types of traffic offenses. Speeding tickets are the most common. Other violations include running red lights, failure to yield, following too close, and driving without insurance. Each violation has a base fine set by state law. The court adds surcharges and fees on top of the base fine.
Criminal traffic charges are more serious. These include DUI, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license. Criminal cases require a court appearance. You cannot just pay a fine and move on. The judge may impose jail time, probation, community service, or license suspension. You have the right to an attorney for criminal traffic charges. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender.
Civil and criminal traffic laws are found in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28. You can read the full text at azleg.gov Title 28. That site has all Arizona traffic laws including definitions, penalties, and court procedures.
Legal Help and Resources
If you need legal help with a traffic case, several resources are available. The Arizona Court Help website at azcourthelp.org has information specific to the Globe regional Justice Court. That page includes forms, instructions, and links to legal aid organizations.
Community Legal Services may assist low-income residents with certain legal issues. They do not handle all traffic cases, but they can point you to other resources. Local attorneys in Globe and Payson handle traffic defense. The State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service. Call them to find an attorney in Gila County who handles traffic matters.
For questions about your driver license or MVD holds, contact the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division. Their main site is at azdot.gov MVD services. You can also visit an MVD office or an authorized third-party provider. They can tell you if you have any holds or suspensions on your license.
Appeals and Superior Court
If you disagree with a Justice Court decision, you can appeal to Gila County Superior Court. The appeal must be filed within a certain time after the judgment. Filing fees apply. The Superior Court reviews the case record and may hold a new hearing. Appeals are complicated. Most people hire an attorney to handle the appeal process.
Superior Court also handles serious criminal traffic cases from the start. Felony DUI charges and other high-level offenses go directly to Superior Court instead of Justice Court. The Superior Court clerk is separate from the Justice Court clerk. They have different phone numbers and office locations within the courthouse complex.
Nearby Counties
If your traffic violation occurred in a neighboring county, check these courts: