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.
I am too busy to go to court. What options do I have?
For most courts you can either use traditional mail or email to send documents and forms. Fee schedules (bond cards) can be printed off and returned in person or by mail. These allow you to tell the court what plea you are entering (Responsible/Not Responsible/Traffic School). Your written response will serve as your appearance and you do not have to come into court on the date placed on your ticket. Depending on what you indicate on your form, you must comply. For example:
- If you are pleading "Responsible", see what methods of payment are accepted by the court or see if they offer online payments.
- If you are pleading "Not Responsible", the fee schedule can be sent to the court, which qualifies as your appearance. Once this is received and processed by the court, you will be sent a notice of the date and time for your traffic hearing. This is normally set 30 days later.
- Depending on the courthouse, you must either appear in person or request a documentary hearing.
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