PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION

MARRIAGE LICENSES – PLEASE CALL THE COURT FOR INFORMATION REGARDING MARRIAGE LICENSES.

Appeals Guides for Self-Represented Litigants

www.supreme.state.az.us/appellateguide.htm

WE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU IF WE CAN. AS WE MUST BE FAIR TO EVERYONE, WE ARE ALLOWED TO HELP YOU ONLY IN CERTAIN WAYS.

This is a list of some things court personnel can & cannot do for you:

WE CAN explain & answer general questions about how the court works.

WE CAN give you general information about court rules, procedures, and practices.

WE CAN provide you with the number for lawyer referral services, legal aid programs, and other services where you can get legal information.

WE CAN provide court schedules & information on how to get a case scheduled.

WE CAN give you information from you case file that is not restricted.

WE CAN provide you with court forms & instruction that are available.

WE CAN usually answer questions about court deadlines.

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WE CANNOT tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court.

WE CANNOT tell you what words to use in your court papers or whether they are correct.

WE CANNOT tell you what to say in court.

WE CANNOT give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court.

WE CANNOT conduct legal research for you.

WE CANNOT talk to the judge for you or let you talk to the judge outside of court.

WE CANNOT alter court documents.

OUR ABILITY TO ASSIST YOU WILL DEPEND ON THE TIME & RESOURCES AVAILABLE AS WELL AS THE SCOPE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE.

COURTROOM STANDARDS

• NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND ARE PERMITTED IN THE BUILDING. EATING, DRINKING, GUM CHEWING OR USING ITEMS OR MATERIALS THAT CREATE NOISE AND DISRUPTION ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE COURTROOM.

• ARRIVE ON TIME.

• SIT QUIETLY WHILE IN THE COURTROOM AND DO NOT TALK WHILE COURT IS IN SESSION. THE PROCEEDINGS ARE BEING RECORDED AND BACKGROUND NOISE MAY INTERFERE WITH THE QUALITY OF THE RECORDING.

• PAGERS AND CELL PHONES SHOULD BE TURNED OFF IN THE COURTROOM.

• OBSERVE APPROPRIATE STANDARDS OF DRESS. SHOES AND SHIRTS MUST BE WORN AND T-SHIRTS THAT DISPLAY OFFENSIVE SLOGANS OR PICTURES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE. HATS SHOULD NOT BE WORN IN THE COURTROOM.

• SMOKING IS PROHIBITED BY LAW IN ALL AREAS OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

• AVOID BRINGING SMALL CHILDREN TO COURT. PARENTS MAY BE ASKED TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM THE COURTROOM IF THE CHILDREN BECOME DISRUPTIVE.

• CIVIL TRAFFIC

  When you receive a civil traffic violation you have three options:

   

  1.    Attend traffic school

  2.    Plead not responsible and request a hearing

  3.    Plead responsible and pay your fine.

   

   

  ATTENDING TRAFFIC SCHOOL

  If you choose to attend traffic school and are eligible you do not need to make a court appearance if you attend before your court date.  If you have problems getting into a class because of your location or class scheduling you can attend classes on line or your can contact the court for an extension.

   

  You can register over the phone or online.  You can call the 800 numbers in your brochure under option 1 or find schools listed at: www.azcourts.gov/drive school info

   

   

   

   

  REQUEST A HEARING

  Along with your traffic ticket you should have received a brochure.  Inside that brochure you should have an area listed as Option 2, where you can fill in the information and request a hearing.  If you did not receive a brochure then you can send a request by mail or by appearing on your scheduled court date.

   

  Upon the receiving of your request you and the officer will be sent an order with the new appearance date.

   

  You have the right to hire an attorney, however, you need to notify the court so that your hearing can be scheduled on the proper date.

   

  If you request a hearing you will be giving up your right to attend traffic school.

   

  You may post a deposit in the amount of the civil fine to ensure your license in not suspended should you fail to appear at the hearing.

   

  PAYING YOUR FINE

  If you choose to plea responsible and pay your fine you may pay the amount listed on the brochure and mail in your payment.  Please do not send any cash through the mail.  Payment may be made in the form of a cashiers check or money order.  Sorry – No Personal Checks.

  You may also make your payment by Visa or Master Card by phone 928-927-7477 or online at http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/court/

   

  You may appear on your court date and pay the fine.  The court will take your payment and issue you a receipt.

   

  You may appear on your scheduled court date, admit responsible with an explanation to the judge.  The Court will take you explanation into account in determining the fine.

   

  All fines are due in full on or before the appearance day.

   

  If you qualify you make make arrangements for a payment agreement.