Mesa Municipal Court

Court ordered financials obligations are due the day your case is adjudicated. If you cannot pay your balance in full on the day of imposition, you must set up a payment plan prior to leaving the court. A time payment fee of $20.00 is assessed on each person who pay court-ordered penalties, fines, or sanctions over time rather than in full on the date of imposition (A.R.S. § 12-116).

What methods of payment does the court accept?

The court accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card payments using MasterCard, VISA, Discover, American Express or Novus.

How can I make a court payment?

Online

Visit the ecourt site at ecourt.mesaaz.gov. Payments can be made by using MasterCard, VISA, Discover, American Express or Novus. Ecourt provides the option to access case-specific information and complete certain transactions.

The online payment system is NOT available between 9:00 pm and 1:00 am (AZ time).

Phone

Call 480-644-2255 and pay using MasterCard, VISA, Discover, American Express or Novus. Court staff are available to process payments by phone during business hours (Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, except on holidays). The automated telephone system is available 24-hours and provides the option to access case-specific information and complete certain transactions. The automated phone system is NOT available between 9:00 pm and 1:00 am (AZ time).

Mail

Mail a check or money order. Write your full name, date of birth, and your ticket or case number on your check or money order or include a copy of your ticket or a copy of your court document which contains your case number to help ensure your payment is applied to the appropriate case. Do not send cash in the mail.

In-Person

Pay in-person using cash, check, money order, MasterCard, VISA, Discover, American Express or Novus, during business hours Monday through Thursday from, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, except on holidays.

Drop Box

A 24-hour drop box is located on the wall east of the court’s main entrance. Checks and money orders may be deposited in the drop box. Write your full name, date of birth, and your ticket or case number on your check or money order or include a copy of your ticket or a copy of your court document which contains your case number to help ensure your payment is applied to the appropriate case. Do not place cash in the drop box.

Self-Serve Kiosk

A self-serve kiosk is located at the Municipal Building at 55 N. Center St. The kiosk accepts cash (all denominations) and credit card payments. The kiosk does not dispense change. There is a minimal convenience fee to use the kiosk for cash payments, and a 2% fee for credit/debit card payments. The self-serve payment kiosk is NOT available for court payments between 9:00 pm and 1:00 am (AZ time).

What if I can't make a court payment on time?

You must contact the court to request an extension. In certain situations, an extension may be granted by telephone.

If you have financial obligations in other Arizona Courts, you may obtain more information about PayNearMe locations or pay online at azcourtpay.com.

Am I eligible for Community Restitution?

Community Restitution is an alternative method for paying a fine when it is determined to be appropriate as a result of the financial evaluation.  One hour of Community Restitution satisfies $15 of the fine. The Community Restitution alternative is offered by the judge at the time the fine is imposed, at the time that payment arrangements are established, or upon subsequent review of the payment arrangements. Community Restitution may be offered under certain circumstances as a means of satisfying the whole fine amount or to satisfy part of the fine.

If a payment plan is not set up or sanction paid in full within 90 days from adjudication of the case, the court may do one or more of the following:

• Add a $70 default fee to the amount due as prescribed by Mesa City Code.
• Issue a warrant for your arrest (Criminal Cases Only).
• Refer the amount due to, the Consolidated Collection Unit, F.A.R.E (Fines, Fees and Restitution Enforcement) program, which will result in additional fees you will have to pay. F.A.R.E Program.
• Addition of $49.00 delinquency fee to your outstanding balance.
• Notify the Arizona Department of Revenue to deduct the amount due the court from your state tax refund, and pay the balance of the refund, if any, to you.
• A MVD registration hold will be placed on the vehicle. 

Why did a collection agency contact me for a court payment?

When a fine is not paid as ordered, the court notifies the Consolidated Collection Unit, F.A.R.E. (Fines, Fees and Restitution Enforcement) program to pursue collection of the fine. Once the collection efforts begin, there will be additional fees you will need to pay. F.A.R.E Program. 

Why is there a hold on my car registration?

The Traffic Ticket Enforcement Assistance Program, also known as TTEAP, places a hold on a vehicle registration renewal for a vehicle owned or co-owned by an individual per Arizona Statute ARS § 28-1631throughARS § 28-1636.

How can a TTEAP registration renewal hold be released?

If the case balance is paid in full or if the case is set up on a court payment plan are two options. There might be other options available. Please contact the court to discuss your TTEAP options. If there is more than one case contributing to the TTEAP hold, all cases must be resolved before the hold will be released (see the Compliance Assistance Program). 

Money has been deducted from my state tax return for a court payment, now what?

If you receive notification from the Arizona Department of Revenue that money has been deducted from your tax refund to satisfy a debt owed to the court, you should contact the court to determine whether the fine is paid in full and make arrangements for paying the balance, if there is one.

What is the FARE Compliance Assistance Program (CAP)?

The FARE Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) is a program offered by the Mesa Municipal Court. FARE CAP is designed to help you resolve past due fines owed to the court.  FARE CAP allows you to enter into a payment plan for cases without having to see a judge. You will be required to make a down-payment and agree to affordable monthly payments. The court is open Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, except holidays. You can call the court at 480-644-2255 or visit the court in person. Check in at the information window to receive a number and your number will be called to the next available window.

How does FARE CAP work?

When you contact the Court, a staff member will ask for your name and date of birth to identify all unpaid fines and fees you owe. You must provide an updated address and phone number. Upon review of your case(s), staff will inform you of the down-payment required to qualify for CAP. Once you make your down-payment and agree to your payment plan, collection costs may be waived.

What do I need to enroll in the CAP program?

You must contact the Court and be prepared to make the down-payment. The recommended down-payment starts at $150.00. 

What if I do not have the money to pay the down-payment amount immediately?

We encourage you to contact the Court and discuss the amount you may need to pay to participate in CAP. You may begin CAP as soon as you make the down-payment. 

What if I have difficulty making my scheduled payment?

If you are unable to make your payment, contact Court staff at (480) 644-2255 to discuss your options.  

What happens if I do not make the payments on the payment plan?

If you fail to make your payments, one or more of the following may occur:

• Prevention of renewal of any Arizona vehicle registration where you are the registered owner

• Notification to the Arizona Department of Revenue to intercept your Arizona State tax refund or lottery winnings to pay your outstanding balance

• Notification to a Collection Agency (F.A.R.E.) and collection fees added to your outstanding balance

Courtroom Rules

• No weapons, food, or drink (except as needed for infants), or gum chewing in the Court building.
• Sit quietly when court is in session. Do not chat or whisper. Court proceedings are recorded; background conversation interferes with this important record.
• Avoid reading newspapers or books in the courtroom, as this is a distraction to others.
• When addressing the Judge or Commissioner, stand at the podium. 
• Shoes and shirts must be worn. Clothing displaying offensive words or pictures are prohibited. Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.
• Avoid bringing small children to Court. If it is necessary to do so, please monitor their behavior so that they remain quiet. Parents may be asked to leave the courtroom if their child becomes noisy or unruly.

Administrative Orders

Vacating Eligible Monetary Obligations in Juvenile Matters(PDF, 524KB)

Presumptive Standards For Remote and In-Person Hearings(PDF, 88KB)  

Use of Recording Devices in a Courthouse and Other Court Facilities(PDF, 175KB)

Arizona Supreme Court Rule 122 - Use of Recording Devices in a Courtroom

Arizona Supreme Court Rule 122.1 - Use of Portable Electronic Devices in a Courthouse

Portable Electronic Device Violation Warning(PDF, 150KB)

The Courtroom

The Judge - The Judge ensures the trial is conducted in an orderly manner according to the prescribed rules and laws.

The Clerk - The Clerk is in charge of the jury during the trial and deliberations. The Clerk is also responsible for maintaining accurate permanent records of all court proceedings and exhibits.

The Witness - The Witness is a person who gives testimony concerning the issue being tried.

The Interpreter - The Interpreter is a qualified person who interprets the entire court proceeding for defendants and witnesses who do not speak English.

The Defendant - The Defendant, in a criminal case, is the person charged with an offense.

The Defense Attorney - The Defense Attorney represents the defendant. Some defendants are represented by attorneys and some are not.

The Prosecuting Attorney - The Prosecuting Attorney from the Mesa City Prosecutor's Office presents the state's case against the defendant.

The Prosecutor's Investigating Officer - The judge may allow the prosecutor's investigator on the case to sit with the prosecutor.

The Jury - The Jury is composed of six individuals selected to decide the defendant's guilt or innocence based on the facts presented. Additional jurors may be selected as alternate jurors.

Accessibility Forms

The Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodation Request Form can be completed online.

ADA Request for Accommodation - Online Form

You may also download the form and mail your request to the court’s ADA Coordinator.

PDF Form - ADA Request for Accommodation(PDF, 84KB)

Mail to:
Mesa Municipal Court
Attn: ADA Coordinator
250 E. 1st Ave.
Mesa, AZ 85210

If you need help completing the form, please contact the Court ADA Coordinator for assistance at CourtADA@mesaaz.gov.

Alternative means of submitting an accommodation request, such as by personal interview or a tape recording, will be made available to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Notice of Interpreter Services

If you do not speak English or are hearing impaired, please let a Court employee know that you need an interpreter to assist you.

Accessibility Complaints

Complaints that a Court program, service, or activity is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to the City of Mesa ADA Coordinator at andrea.alicoate@mesaaz.gov. Please refer to Mesa ADA Grievance Procedures for more information.

Language Access Plan(PDF, 307KB)

Language Access to Court Services Complaint Form(PDF, 123KB)