Traffic Court Records in Yavapai County
Traffic court records in Yavapai County are maintained by five Justice Courts serving different areas across the region. The Prescott Justice Court handles most cases from the county seat and surrounding areas. Verde Valley Justice Court covers Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and Clarkdale. Mayer, Bagdad-Yarnell, and Seligman Justice Courts serve smaller communities. Citations from state troopers on Interstate 17 and Highway 89 go to Justice Courts. City police tickets go to Municipal Courts in their respective cities. You must respond to your citation by the date shown on the ticket. Failure to respond can trigger license suspension through TTEAP, add default charges, or result in an arrest warrant.
Yavapai County Traffic Court Quick Facts
Yavapai County Justice Courts
The county operates five Justice Courts. Each court has its own territory. Prescott Justice Court is the largest. It handles traffic violations from Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, and unincorporated areas in the central region. The main phone line is (928) 771-3300. Most cases from Highway 69 and Highway 89 north of the Verde Valley end up in this court.
Verde Valley Justice Court serves the southern part of the county. This includes Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, and Jerome. Interstate 17 violations in Yavapai County typically go here. Call (928) 639-5820 for case questions. Mayer Justice Court covers areas around Mayer and Cordes Junction. Bagdad-Yarnell Justice Court serves the western part of the county. Seligman Justice Court handles violations in the far northwest near the Coconino County line.
The Yavapai County Justice Courts website provides general information about traffic procedures. Hours vary by location. Some precincts only operate a few days per week. Always call ahead before visiting smaller courts. Prescott and Verde Valley courts maintain regular weekday schedules.
Whether you got a civil or criminal citation, you must respond by the notice to appear date. That date is printed on the front of your ticket. Do not miss it. If you fail to respond, your license may be suspended. Additional charges for failure to appear may be added. A warrant for your arrest may be issued. This warning appears on the traffic citations page.
How to Respond to a Citation
You have several options. You can pay the fine in full. You can request a hearing to contest the charges. You can attend defensive driving school if eligible. The citation lists these options along with instructions on how to proceed.
Defensive driving school must be completed at least seven days before your court date. Arizona law limits how often you can use this option. You cannot attend defensive driving for the same type of violation more than once in a certain period. The court website and your citation explain eligibility rules. Once you complete the class, the court receives proof electronically. No points go on your license if you finish successfully.
If you want a hearing, contact the court listed on your citation. Some courts require written requests. Others accept phone calls. You may appear in person to schedule a date. Bring your citation with you. Hearings let you explain your side or challenge the evidence. A judge or hearing officer makes the final decision. You can represent yourself or hire an attorney.
Payment plans are available if you cannot pay in full. Courts charge fees for setting up a payment plan. The amount varies. Ask the clerk for details when you contact the court. Partial payments do not stop collection actions unless the court approves a formal plan. Make sure you get written confirmation of any payment arrangement.
Search Court Cases Online
Yavapai County Justice Courts participate in the statewide Arizona Courts Public Access system. This database lets you search by name or case number. Results show the case type, filing date, charges, and current status. Not all courts in Arizona use this system, but most do. The website states it covers 153 out of 180 courts statewide.
The system is free. No login is required. You can search from any computer or phone. Enter your first and last name exactly as it appears on your ID. If you have a case number, type that in instead. The search returns all matching records from participating courts. Some new cases take a few days to show up after filing.
For more serious criminal traffic cases, check the Superior Court system. Superior Court handles felony DUI, aggravated assault with a vehicle, and appeals from Justice Courts. Those records are in a different database. Visit courts.yavapaiaz.gov/Departments/Clerk/Superior-Court-Records for instructions on accessing Superior Court records.
Get Copies of Records
Copy fees in Yavapai County Justice Courts are 50 cents per page. This is the standard rate under Arizona law. Certified copies cost $35 plus the 50 cent per page fee. Certification adds an official stamp and signature. Courts require certification for some purposes like license reinstatement or background checks.
Postage and handling fees add $8 if you want records mailed. You can avoid this fee by picking up records in person. Most courts require payment before they release copies. Bring exact case numbers when requesting records. Clerks cannot search through all files without a specific reference. If you only have partial information, call the court first to get your case number.
Audio recordings of hearings may be available. Courts charge extra for these. The fee depends on the length of the recording and the format you need. Some courts provide digital files. Others burn CDs or DVDs. Ask the clerk about availability and cost before requesting audio records.
Note: Traffic case records are public unless sealed by court order.
Arizona Statewide Court Resources
The Arizona Supreme Court manages several programs that affect traffic cases statewide. The Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program works with MVD to enforce unpaid tickets. After two failed collection attempts, MVD places a hold on your vehicle registration. You cannot renew until you pay or make arrangements with the court. The hold affects co-owners too.
Defensive driving options are explained at azcourts.gov/drive. This site lists approved schools and providers. The Arizona Supreme Court does not grant traffic citation extensions. Only the court where your case is filed can extend deadlines. You must complete your defensive driving class at least seven days before your court date. Last-minute enrollments do not work.
If you need your driving record, visit azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services. MVD maintains all driver license and vehicle records. You can order an uncertified three-year record for $3 or a certified five-year record for $5. These records show points, suspensions, and convictions. Order online at AZMVDNow.gov or submit Form 46-4416 by mail.
For collision reports investigated by DPS on state highways, contact the Department Records Unit at (602) 223-2000, option 2. DPS keeps reports for accidents on interstates and state routes. They do not have reports for local road crashes. Those go through city or county agencies. DPS charges $9 for the first nine pages and 10 cents per additional page for paper reports mailed to you.
Municipal Courts in Yavapai County
Several cities in Yavapai County operate their own Municipal Courts for tickets written by city police within city limits. These courts are separate from the Justice Court system. If your ticket came from a city officer inside city boundaries, your case goes to that city's Municipal Court.
The Municipal Courts directory lists contact information for city courts in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Chino Valley, and Camp Verde. Each court has its own procedures, fees, and hours. Contact them directly for case information. Do not call a Justice Court about a Municipal Court case. They are completely separate systems.
Nearby County Courts
If your traffic violation occurred in a neighboring county, check these resources:
Arizona Traffic Laws and Records Access
Arizona law governs how traffic records are created, maintained, and disclosed. ARS 28-447 defines what MVD records are public. Medical reports are excepted from disclosure. ARS 28-446 sets the fee schedule for copies of MVD records at no more than $3 per item.
Court copy fees follow ARS Title 12, which covers court procedures statewide. Justice Court research fees are authorized under ARS 22-404. This statute allows courts to charge for searching records and providing copies.
Defensive driving eligibility is spelled out in ARS 28-3392. This law sets the rules for who can attend and how often. TTEAP enforcement authority comes from ARS 28-1633, which allows courts to contract with ADOT to enforce unpaid fines through registration holds.
Effective December 31, 2022, ARS 13-911 lets people petition to seal certain criminal traffic conviction records. This applies to some misdemeanor traffic offenses after waiting periods are met. Not all convictions are eligible. The statute lists specific requirements and exceptions.
General public records inspection rights are found in ARS Title 39. This law requires government agencies to provide access to most records unless an exemption applies. Court records follow both Title 39 and Supreme Court administrative orders.