La Paz County Traffic Records
La Paz County traffic court records are maintained by the Justice Court in Parker. Traffic cases from state and county law enforcement in La Paz County go to this court. The court handles civil and criminal traffic violations for the entire county. You can search records online or visit the courthouse. The Justice Court office is at 1105 W. Arizona Avenue in Parker. Phone support is available at 928-669-2504 during business hours. The email address is lapazjc@courts.az.gov. Online access to statewide case databases also includes La Paz County traffic records. Cases may appear within days of filing.
La Paz County Traffic Court Quick Facts
La Paz County Justice Court
The La Paz County Justice Court hears all traffic cases for the county. This includes tickets from Arizona Highway Patrol on State Route 95, State Route 72, and Interstate 10. County deputies also file cases at this court. The office sits at 1105 W. Arizona Avenue in Parker. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The phone number is 928-669-2504.
You can reach the court by email at lapazjc@courts.az.gov. Email works for basic questions about case status or filing requirements. For official requests, you may need to submit forms in writing. The court prefers written communication for records requests and formal motions. Walk-in visits are accepted during business hours. No appointment is needed for counter service. Bring your case number or citation when you visit. Staff can look up cases by name but a case number speeds the process.
Traffic violations in La Paz County range from speeding tickets to more serious charges. Civil traffic cases cover most standard violations. Criminal traffic cases include DUI, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license. The Justice Court has jurisdiction over both types. You respond to the court listed on your citation. That court processes your payment, schedules hearings, and maintains your case file.
Search Traffic Records Online
Arizona offers statewide case search tools that include La Paz County. The main portal is at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx. This system covers 153 out of 180 courts in Arizona. La Paz County Justice Court participates in this database.
Enter your name or case number to search. Results show charges, filing dates, and current status. The system is free. No registration is required. You can search from any device with internet access. Some new cases take a few days to appear after filing. The website states that online results are not official court records. Contact the court directly for certified copies or official documents.
The Arizona Courts Public Access system lets you view basic case information. You can see the defendant name, case type, and filing location. Detailed documents may not be available online. For those, you need to request copies from the court clerk. The La Paz County Justice Court handles records requests for cases filed in their jurisdiction.
Superior Court Records
Serious criminal traffic charges may go to La Paz County Superior Court instead of Justice Court. The Superior Court Clerk's office maintains these records. Their website is at lapazsuperiorcourtclerk.com. This office handles felony DUI cases, appeals from Justice Court, and other major traffic offenses.
Superior Court cases follow different procedures than Justice Court. The filing fees are higher. Court hearings are more formal. If you are unsure which court has your case, check your citation. It lists the court name and location. You can also call the Justice Court at 928-669-2504 and ask. Staff can tell you if the case is in their system or if it went to Superior Court.
Appeals from Justice Court traffic convictions go to Superior Court. You must file a notice of appeal within a specific time frame after the judgment. The Superior Court reviews the Justice Court record and may hold a new hearing. Contact the Superior Court Clerk for appeal procedures and deadlines.
Fees and Payment Options
La Paz County Justice Court charges standard fees set by Arizona law. Copy fees are 50 cents per page under ARS § 12-115. Record search fees are $17 per case as allowed by ARS § 22-404. Certification fees vary but typically run $17 to $35. These fees apply to all Arizona Justice Courts.
Traffic fines depend on the violation. Speeding tickets have set fine schedules. Other violations carry different amounts. The court adds fees and surcharges to the base fine. Your total may include court costs, time extension fees, and state assessments. The citation shows the fine amount or states that it will be set by the court.
You can pay fines and fees in person at the courthouse. The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit and debit cards may be accepted with a processing fee. Call 928-669-2504 to confirm current payment methods. Some Arizona courts use online payment systems like AZ Court Pay. Check with La Paz County Justice Court to see if they participate in this program.
Payment plans may be available if you cannot pay the full amount at once. The court typically charges a $20 time payment fee under ARS § 12-116. You must apply for a payment plan before the due date. Missing payments can result in default fees and license suspension.
Defensive Driving School
Arizona allows eligible drivers to attend defensive driving school to dismiss certain traffic tickets. You must complete the course before your court date. The Arizona Supreme Court website at azcourts.gov/drive lists approved schools and eligibility rules.
Not all violations qualify for defensive driving. The citation must be for a civil traffic offense. Criminal charges like DUI do not qualify. You cannot use defensive driving if you attended a course in the past year. The court must approve your request. Complete the class at least seven days before your court date. The school sends a certificate to the court. No points go on your license if you finish the course successfully.
The Arizona Supreme Court does not grant traffic citation extensions. You must act quickly if you want to use defensive driving. Contact La Paz County Justice Court at 928-669-2504 to verify your eligibility before enrolling in a class.
Registration Holds and TTEAP
The Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program affects drivers who do not pay traffic fines. After two failed collection attempts, the Motor Vehicle Division places a hold on your vehicle registration. You cannot renew your registration until you clear the debt. The hold may also impact a co-owner of the vehicle.
TTEAP applies to civil and criminal traffic cases. It also covers failure to appear in criminal traffic cases. The program helps courts collect delinquent fines. Once the MVD places the hold, you must resolve the case with the court. Pay the full amount or set up a payment plan. The court then sends notice to MVD to release the hold.
More information is available at azcourts.gov TTEAP page. The Arizona Judicial Branch runs this program statewide. La Paz County participates. If you have a registration hold, contact the Justice Court at 928-669-2504 to discuss payment options.
Motor Vehicle Records
Traffic convictions appear on your driving record. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division maintains these records. You can request a copy online at AZMVDNow.gov or by mail. An uncertified three-year record costs $3. A certified five-year record costs $5.
To request records by mail, complete MVD Form 46-4416. Your signature must be notarized or witnessed by an MVD agent. Mail the form with payment to the address on the form. The MVD typically processes requests within a few weeks. More information is at azdot.gov motor vehicle records page.
Driving records show convictions, license status, and points. Insurance companies often request these records. Some jobs require a clean driving record. You can check your record before applying to see what appears. The Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act and Arizona Title 28, Chapter 2, Article 5 regulate how MVR information is released.
How Long Records Are Kept
Court records are maintained according to Arizona Supreme Court rules. Most traffic case files are destroyed after their retention period expires. The retention period varies by case type. Civil traffic cases may be kept for one year after final disposition. Criminal traffic cases stay on file longer.
If you need records from an old case, contact La Paz County Justice Court as soon as possible. Once the retention period ends, files are destroyed. The court cannot retrieve documents that no longer exist. For recent cases, records should be available. Older cases may require more time to locate if they are in storage.
Note: Archived records may not be available online even if the case is within the retention period.
Legal Help and Resources
If you need legal advice about a traffic case, consider consulting an attorney. The State Bar of Arizona offers a lawyer referral service. Legal aid organizations may help low-income individuals. You can represent yourself in traffic court, but having a lawyer can be helpful for serious charges.
The Arizona Judicial Branch website provides self-help resources at azcourts.gov. You can find court forms, instructions, and general information. These resources cover traffic cases, defensive driving, and court procedures. The website also links to each county's court system.
For questions specific to La Paz County, contact the Justice Court directly. Staff can explain filing procedures, fee schedules, and court rules. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. They can tell you where to file forms, how much fees cost, and when hearings are scheduled.
Statewide Court Systems
Arizona uses several statewide systems for court filings and payments. AZTurboCourt is the eFiling system for civil and criminal cases. The portal is at azcourts.gov AZTurboCourt page. Not all Justice Courts require eFiling, but the option exists for some case types.
The eAccess portal at eaccess.azcourts.gov provides another way to search court cases. This system includes Superior Court and Justice Court records from participating counties. La Paz County records may appear in both the Public Access and eAccess systems. Use whichever system you find easier to navigate.
AZ Court Pay is a payment portal used by many Arizona courts. The website is azcourtpay.com. Check with La Paz County Justice Court to see if they use this system. Some courts have their own payment sites. Others use third-party vendors. The court can tell you the accepted payment methods.
Collision Reports from DPS
If your traffic case involves a collision on a state highway, the Department of Public Safety may have a report. DPS troopers investigate crashes on interstates and state routes. The Department Records Unit maintains these reports. You can request copies at azdps.gov records request portal.
DPS receives completed reports from troopers within 14 days of the incident. Paper reports sent by mail cost $9 for the first nine pages. Each additional page is 10 cents. Contact the Department Records Unit at (602) 223-2000, option 2, for questions. Technical support is available at (602) 223-2999, option 8.
Arizona law at ARS § 28-667 prohibits using accident reports for commercial solicitation. You can request a report if you were involved in the crash or have a legitimate legal need. DPS verifies the requester's eligibility before releasing reports.
Nearby County Courts
If your traffic violation occurred in a neighboring county, check these resources: