Search Santa Cruz County Traffic Records
Traffic court records in Santa Cruz County are maintained at the Justice of the Peace Court in Nogales. Citations issued by state troopers, county deputies, and officers from smaller communities without their own municipal courts are filed here. You can search for case details, make payments online, or request copies of documents by contacting the court directly. The Justice Court handles civil traffic violations such as speeding tickets, stop sign violations, and other moving violations throughout the county. Criminal traffic charges including DUI and reckless driving may go to Superior Court. Cases from within Nogales city limits issued by Nogales police are handled by the city's municipal system, not the county Justice Court.
Santa Cruz County Traffic Court Quick Facts
Santa Cruz County Justice Court
The Justice of the Peace Court for Santa Cruz County is located at 2160 N. Congress Dr., Suite 2100, in Nogales, Arizona 85621. This court has jurisdiction over traffic violations that occur anywhere in Santa Cruz County on state routes, county roads, and highways. Call 520-375-7760 for traffic-related questions.
Most civil traffic cases fall under this court's authority. That includes speeding tickets, failure to yield, running red lights, and other moving violations. If a state trooper or county deputy wrote your citation, the case goes here. Cases from smaller communities in the county without municipal courts also get filed at the Justice Court in Nogales.
The official Justice Court page is at santacruzcountyaz.gov/137/Justice-of-the-Peace. That page lists contact info, hours, and general procedures. For specific case details, you need your case number or citation number when you call or visit.
Traffic Division Services
Santa Cruz County Justice Court operates a Traffic Division that processes traffic citations and handles payment collections. This division manages civil traffic cases from initial filing through final resolution.
The Traffic Division page at santacruzcountyaz.gov/140/Traffic-Division provides information on how traffic cases are processed. When you receive a citation, it will show your court date and the amount you owe. You must respond before that date by paying the fine, requesting a hearing, or attending defensive driving school if you qualify.
Defensive driving is an option for some violations. You must complete the course at least seven days before your court date. Not all violations qualify. The court can tell you if your specific charge is eligible. Completing defensive driving prevents points from being added to your license.
If you miss your court date or fail to pay on time, the court can place a hold on your vehicle registration through TTEAP. That prevents you from renewing your registration until the case is resolved. Additional fees may apply for defaults and late payments.
Pay Traffic Fines Online
Santa Cruz County Justice Court accepts online payments through its official payment portal at sccjusticecourtpayments.com. You need your citation number or case number to make a payment.
The system accepts major credit and debit cards. A convenience fee may apply depending on payment method. You can pay the full amount or inquire about payment plans by calling the court. Some cases require in-person arrangements for installment payments.
After you pay online, allow time for processing. The court updates your case status within a few business days. If you paid to lift a registration hold, you still need to follow up with the Motor Vehicle Division to confirm your license is reinstated. The court sends the abstract to MVD, but it can take additional time for MVD to process.
Keep your payment confirmation. Print or save the receipt from the online system. This serves as proof of payment if questions arise later.
Arizona Traffic Court Databases
Santa Cruz County participates in Arizona's statewide court case lookup system. You can search traffic cases at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx. This database includes cases from Justice Courts across Arizona.
Enter your name or case number. Results show filing dates, charges, and court information. The system notes that it is not the official record. Contact the court directly for certified documents or official case status.
For driving records, use the Motor Vehicle Division system at azmvdnow.gov. This shows your license status, points, and suspensions. An uncertified three-year record costs $3. A certified five-year record costs $5. These records come from MVD, not the court, so they may not reflect very recent case activity.
Get Court Record Copies
To request copies of traffic court records from Santa Cruz County Justice Court, contact the clerk's office at 520-375-7760. You need to provide your case number and specify which documents you want.
Arizona law sets standard fees for court records. Most courts charge 50 cents per page for copies. Certification fees typically range from $17 to $35 depending on the document type. Ask the clerk for the exact fee schedule when you make your request.
The court maintains records for a set retention period. Traffic cases are usually kept for one to five years after final disposition. Older cases may no longer be available. Request records as soon as you need them to avoid issues with destroyed files.
You can request records in person at the courthouse in Nogales, by phone, or by mail. Mail requests should include your contact information, case number, a description of documents needed, and payment for fees. The court will notify you of the total cost and processing time.
Note: Commercial record requests may have additional fees under Arizona law.
Arizona Traffic Laws and Statutes
Traffic court procedures in Santa Cruz County follow Arizona Revised Statutes. Several key laws govern how traffic cases are handled and how records are accessed.
ARS § 28-447 defines what MVD records are public. Medical reports are excepted from disclosure. This statute ensures that most traffic records remain accessible to the public while protecting sensitive health information.
ARS § 28-446 sets fees for MVD record copies. The department can charge up to $3 per item for driving record requests. This keeps costs low for individuals who need their own records.
Defensive driving eligibility is covered by ARS § 28-3392. This law defines who can attend driving school to avoid points. Not every violation qualifies, and there are limits on how often you can use this option.
The Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program operates under ARS § 28-1633. This allows courts to place holds on registrations for unpaid fines. TTEAP affects your ability to renew vehicle registration until you clear outstanding traffic debts.
Public records in general fall under ARS § 39-121. This statute provides the baseline right to inspect public records in Arizona. Traffic court records are public unless specifically exempted by law.
Santa Cruz County Superior Court
Serious criminal traffic charges go to Santa Cruz County Superior Court instead of Justice Court. These cases include DUI, reckless driving, aggravated assault with a vehicle, and felony hit and run. The Superior Court also handles appeals from Justice Court decisions.
Superior Court has a different location, different procedures, and different fees than Justice Court. Criminal traffic cases require an attorney in most situations. Penalties can include jail time, license suspension, and substantial fines.
If you are charged with a criminal traffic offense, consult with a lawyer. Public defenders may be available if you cannot afford private counsel. Do not treat criminal traffic cases the same as civil citations. The stakes are much higher.
Additional Traffic Resources
Several state agencies and programs provide help with traffic violations and related issues. The Arizona Supreme Court runs a defensive driving portal at azcourts.gov/drive. This site lists approved defensive driving schools and explains eligibility requirements.
If you have questions about registration holds, check the TTEAP program information at azcourts.gov TTEAP page. The program also has a chatbot that can help you figure out why your registration is blocked and what steps to take.
For collision reports from state highways, contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety Records Unit. Visit azdps.gov records request portal to submit a request. DPS maintains accident reports for incidents investigated by state troopers on interstates and state routes. Reports cost $9 for the first nine pages.
Nearby County Traffic Courts
If your traffic violation occurred in a neighboring county, check these resources: