Civil Traffic Offenses

Of all the cases filed in the Surprise City Court, more than 75 percent of those cases are civil traffic violations. Civil traffic violations include, but are not limited to, speeding, failure to provide proof of registration, a valid driver’s license, car insurance, and failure to obey a traffic control device. The court also handles parking violations. 

When you receive a citation that contains a civil traffic offense only, you are afforded several options to resolve the charge. 

• Option 1 - Attend a Defensive Driving Class
If a charge on your complaint is marked as civil traffic, and you are eligible to attend a class, that charge will be dismissed.  No points will be placed on your driving record.  You will pay a registration fee to attend.

• Option 2 - Payment by Telephone or in Person
You may call the court and pay the sanction with MasterCard or VISA credit card.  Cash, checks, money orders, MasterCard or VISA are accepted M-Th 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or use the payment drop box located near the court entrance.

• Option 3 - Pay Violation by Mail
Waive your right to a hearing, enter a plea of responsible and pay the sanction.  You do not have to appear in court.

• Option 4 - Request a Hearing
You may request a Hearing.  You may bring witnesses and present your case before a judge.  On the charges a Hearing is requested, you give up the option of attending a defensive driving class.  
    

Pay the Citation

Each civil offense is accompanied by a fine or sanction amount, which must be paid in full on or before the assigned court date.  You can refer to the bond card that may have been given to you by the citing officer.  Refer to the bond schedule if you did not receive one.

Obtain Proof of Corrections: Mechanical, Registration, License, and Insurance Violations 

If you were cited with a charge and the accompanying fine can be reduced, suspended, or dismissed with proper proof of correction, it will necessary for you to mail or bring in the proof along with any reduced fine that will be imposed.

Insurance Violations

If you provide proof to the Court showing that the vehicle involved was insured on the date and time the complaint was issued, the charge will be dismissed.

Effective September 30, 2009, Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) § 28-4135 requires the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) to administratively suspend the driver’s license and registration of any person convicted of a violation of A.R.S. § 28-4135(A), (B) and (C) upon receipt of the abstract of the record of judgment. The monetary penalties associated with violations of the above referenced statute remain the same and are:

• $500 + surcharges and court fees, for a first offense = ($935.00)
• $750+ surcharges and court fees, for a second offense = ($1,413.00)
• $1000 + surcharges and court fees, for a third offense = ($1,873.00)

Effective September 30, 2009, the statute also allows the court to reduce or waive the penalty imposed fora violation of A.R.S. § 28-4135 B&C if the person provides proof of both the following items:

• The defendant (driver) not been found responsible of a violation of A.R.S. § 28-4135 within the past 24 months OR has not had more than one violation of A.R.S. § 28-4135 within the past 36 months as evidenced by the person's driving record.

• The defendant has purchased a six month policy of insurance that meets the requirements of A.R.S. § 28-4009.

Defendants may be eligible for a MVD issued restricted license if they obtain a SR22, proof of insurance and they comply with the additional criteria established by the MVD.

If the charge is for failure to provide or carry a valid driver's license, the fine can be suspended by providing a valid driver's license.  Refer to the bond schedule for more information.

Equipment Violations

Proof of correction of an equipment or mechanical violation may reduce the fine if receipts of repair or purchase are provided to the court.

Children Are Priceless Passengers (CAPP) Program

The CAPP program is a partnership between Sun Health Del E. Webb Hospital, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, police departments, and municipal/justice courts designed to educate families about:

    Injury prevention
    Crash dynamics
    Types of restraints for children
    Installation of child safety seats

Class is taught by certified child passenger safety technicians.  The classes are open to the public and cited drivers with the opportunity to receive a child safety seat upon completion of class. Proof of successful completion of the CAPP program will result in suspension of any fines resulting from a citation for not using a child safety seat.  Also refer to the bond schedule for more information.
 
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