Chandler Municipal Court outlines options for resolving traffic tickets
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Summary
Chandler Municipal Court staff described three primary ways to resolve a traffic citation — complete defensive driving, request a hearing, or pay the fine — and explained procedures for photo-enforcement notices, proof of insurance/registration, payment methods, and deadlines.
Chandler Municipal Court provided step-by-step options for people who receive traffic citations: complete an eligible defensive driving course, request a hearing, or pay the fine, and explained special procedures for photo-enforcement citations and proof related to insurance or registration.
The information matters because each option affects your record and deadlines: completing defensive driving can dismiss a violation and keep points off the driving record, requesting a hearing waives the defensive-driving option, and paying a fine is an admission of responsibility that also waives a hearing. Missing the listed court date will result in a default and additional fees.
Court staff said drivers should first review the ticket packet, which lists the violation, the court date and, for some tickets, a QR code linking to violation lists and fine amounts. A defensive driving option is available only if a driver has not completed such a course within the previous 12 months. The court described the defensive driving class as a four-hour program, offered online or in person; drivers choosing this option pay only for the class, not the court, and must complete the class at least seven days before the court date. If a ticket includes multiple moving violations, the court said defensive driving applies to only one eligible violation.
If a person wants to contest the citation, the court said they may request a hearing through the court website and should verify the mailing address on the form so the court can mail the hearing date and time. The court noted that requesting a hearing waives the ability to complete defensive driving. At a hearing, the judge will hear testimony and decide responsibility.
For people who prefer to resolve the citation without a hearing, the court allows online payment through its website and accepts in-person payments by cash, credit card, check, cashier's check or money order payable to Chandler Municipal Court; phone payments are accepted at (480) 734-2942. The court also offers payment plans available online and in person.
Photo-enforcement packets include an options page; drivers who are not the person pictured were instructed to complete the “section B” form and mail it, with a copy of their ID, to the Chandler Police Department using the envelope provided. For other compliance issues such as proof of insurance or vehicle registration, the court advised emailing documents to court@chandleraz.gov and noted that, if no mailed notice arrives before the court date, the person still must appear or file for more time through the court website.
The court cautioned that the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division may assess points on a driving record depending on the violation type. The staff reiterated that if someone does not act on or before the listed court date, the case will be defaulted and additional fees will be assessed. The court also pointed to the website’s live chat (“get help” button) for questions and noted walk-in hours Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. for those who prefer to speak with a judge or clerk in person.
People seeking any of these options should follow the instructions on their ticket packet and the Chandler Municipal Court website to avoid default and additional fees.