Ensuring safety on Arizona’s vast network of highways is the Arizona Highway Patrol (AHP). Also known as the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS), the history of the organization dates back to 1931, when it slowly evolved into a modern law enforcement agency dedicated to protecting Arizonans and visitors alike. The initial work force consisted of only a handful of patrolmen, but in 1968, a significant change occurred by consolidating the AHP along with Arizona’s law enforcement divisions of liquor licenses and narcotics.
Today, the AHP is the backbone of the AZDPS, where troopers are a familiar sight on Arizona’s highways – patrolling for violations, enforcing traffic laws, and providing assistance to motorists. In addition to the aforementioned tasks, the AHP also involves itself in accident investigations, criminal investigations, prevention of criminal activities, and providing other essential public services such as towing and tire changes. The organization is also committed to community engagement, as its employees often participate in educational programs, public events, and initiatives aimed at fostering traffic safety awareness.
If you have recently been pulled over for a traffic violation by the Arizona Highway Patrol, for which you were handed a citation or penalty, then it is crucial that you pay the fine without delay. That’s why we have come up with an extensive guide with step-by-step process.
What are the Steps to Pay Online
It should be known that the AHP does not handle traffic fine payments on its own. Instead, payments must be redirected to the specific court in the county in which the citation was issued. For instance, if the citation was issued in Apache County, Arizona, the payment must be directed to the available courts in that county.
The citation that you received from the AHP trooper will contain information regarding the court where your traffic fine case will be heard, including the court’s name and address. All you need to do is note down the court name and address, and then follow the below-mentioned steps for a seamless payment experience.
- Begin your journey by first heading over to the official website.
- On the landing page, you will be provided with a list of courts based on the county in which they are located. Browse through the list of court names and click on the one that is mentioned in your citation or traffic ticket.
- The details of the court will be revealed, such as its phone number, address, operating hours, and the option to pay the traffic fine online. Click on the option that will allow you to pay the fine online.
- You will be redirected to a separate web page, where you will need to provide the case or citation number along with your full name, date of birth, and fine amount.
- After that, you will be requested to pay the fine online, which you can easily do with your debit or credit card.
Once you successfully complete the transaction, do not forget to take a printout of the payment confirmation page for future reference.
Other Ways to Pay
In addition to paying your traffic fine through the process mentioned above, you can also complete the task by visiting the official website of the Arizona Judicial Branch and making the payment online. To do that, follow the recommended steps provided below.
- Start by first visiting the official website.
- On the landing page, click on the ‘AZCOURTPAY’ option, and you will be redirected to a different website.
- You will then be required to enter your notice number, case number, and citation number. Once done, hit ‘Continue’.
- After confirmation, you will be asked to pay for your citation online using your debit or credit card (VISA or MasterCard).
- Once the payment is successfully completed, you will be shown a confirmation page, which you can then decide to print out for future reference.
Different Types of Offenses and Penalties
All vehicle drivers operating in Arizona have a responsibility to obey all traffic and road rules and regulations, especially those that are applicable. That’s why understanding the different types of offenses is critical to always staying on the right side of the law and avoiding hefty fines.
Starting with non-criminal offenses, which are of two types: moving and parking, Moving violations include speeding, running red lights, or making an inappropriate lane change. On the other hand, parking violations include parking without permits or parking in a spot that is reserved for disabled people. Such violations often lead to fines and suspensions.
Alternatively, criminal traffic offenses in Arizona are mostly serious violations that threaten public safety and put the lives of Arizonans at risk. Starting with criminal speeding, excessively exceeding the speed limit can lead to a fine, 30 days of jail time, and a year of minimum probation. Driving on a suspended or revoked license can also lead to six months of jail time and a hefty fine. And then you have violations relating to driving under influence (alcohol or narcotics), where penalties will include jail time, suspension or revocation of a license, and fines.
Lastly, driving a vehicle recklessly without regard for public safety or property will lead to up to four months in jail, hefty fines, and a license suspension for up to three months. Some other traffic offenses include driving without vehicle insurance, tailgating, racing on highways, and aggressive driving.
