If you have been charged with a civil traffic offense, your options for taking care of your traffic citation are as follows:

DIVERSION PROGRAM (DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL)

You are eligible for this program if:

• The offense for which you are charged is a civil traffic moving violation.

• You do not want to contest your ticket.

• You have not attended a Defensive Driving Course for dismissal of any violation

issued in the last 24 months.

IF YOU HAVE A COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE (CDL), YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THE DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR DISMISSAL OF A CITATION.

BENEFITS TO YOU IF YOU ATTEND A DIVERSION PROGRAM:

• The violation you attend Defensive Driving School for will be dismissed.

• You do not pay the fine for that violation.

• No points will be assessed on your driving record.

• No court appearance will be required.

• If you have been charged with A.R.S. 28-645A3A or A.R.S. 28-647 or are under the age of eighteen (18) and charged with a first offense moving violation, the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles will not require you to attend Traffic Survival School.

To attend a diversion program you must contact: NORTHWEST DEFENSIVE DRIVING

(928) 757-2303 or ARIZONA CHAPTER NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL (602) 222-3360 in Maricopa County or 1-800-293-0112 outside Maricopa County.

To attend a school out of state: you must call 928-757-2303 for instructions and a registration form for a school in your area. The court will only accept classes which are scheduled by the above schools.

Defensive Driving School must be completed before your appearance date.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT ON-LINE TRAFFIC SCHOOL.

PLEA - RESPONSIBLE

A civil traffic violation does not require a court appearance before the Judge. You may enter a plea and pay the fine by mail. Follow the instructions on the bond schedule provided you by the police officer. If you wish to plead responsible or post the bond and forfeit it, you may pay the amount on the deposit/bond schedule. We accept money orders, certified checks, Visa/Master Card or American Express. No personal checks or cash. The Credit Card Authorization Form is printed on the Bond Schedule given to you by the officer. This must be completed and signed and sent to the court if you are paying by credit card.

Note: If you have been cited for A.R.S. 28-645A3A or A.R.S. 28-647 or are under the age of 18 and found responsible or guilty for any 1 st offense moving violation, you will be required by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division to attend Traffic Survival School in addition to any other penalties imposed by the Court. If you are eligible to attend a local defensive driving school and complete a class prior to your court date or if extended by the Court, your violation will be dismissed and you will not be required to attend Traffic Survival School.

PLEA - NOT RESPONSIBLE

If you choose to plead not responsible you may send the amount of the fine listed on the bond schedule as your deposit. You will receive a new court date and do not need to appear on the date indicated on your citation. By pleading not responsible you give up the right to attend the Defensive Driving Diversion Program. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR ON THE NEW COURT DATE, YOUR DEPOSIT WILL BE FORFEITED. If you decide to change your plea prior to the new court date, the court must receive a plea of responsible in writing five (5) days in advance. The Court will then automatically forfeit the deposit posted.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO A CIVIL TRAFFIC CITATION WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES, A $50.00 SUSPENSION FEE, A NEGATIVE RATING WITH THE CREDIT BUREAUS, PLUS A COLLECTION FEE. ALL CIVIL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO A $20 JCEF LATE FEE IF NOT PAID BY THE COURT DATE ON THE CITATION.

NOTICE TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS:

 

 

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