In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Making a Plea in a Criminal Traffic Violations
If the offense on your citation/ticket is listed as a criminal violation, you must appear at the Courthouse listed on your ticket at the date and time specified.
DO NOT IGNORE YOUR CITATION. YOUR LICENSE WILL BE SUSPENDED OR A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST COULD BE ISSUED IF YOU FAIL TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO YOUR CITATION.
When you do appear before the judge, you have three options:
1. Plead guilty: If you choose to plead guilty, you are admitting that you committed the infraction for which you were ticketed.
Possible penalties include:
- Points on your driving record
- A fine
- Suspension or restriction of your driving privileges
- Jail (for some violations)
- Community service
- Court-ordered education classes
**You must be prepared to pay all fines in full on the date of your hearing.
If you do not pay a fine the day of your hearing, the court will add a time payment fee. Contact the court indicated on your citation to learn what forms of payment are accepted (court contact information). If you do not pay your fine in full, you must complete an application for a time payment order and show proof that you can not make payment.
2. Plead not guilty: This means that you are denying you committed the charge(s) against you. The Court will give you a trial or pretrial date. If you choose this route, you have rights as a defendant.
3. Plead no contest: Under this plea, you are neither admitting nor denying the charges against you and are telling the court that you do not intend to contest the charges. The penalty may be the same as a guilty plea. The judge may consider an explanation before imposing a fine or penalty.
* Certain courts do allow defendants in some criminal traffic cases to enter pleas by mail or videophone link. If you want or need to use this option, you must call or write to the Justice Court as soon as possible after receiving your ticket.