Washington County Traffic Ticket Records
Washington County traffic ticket records are handled through the Fifth District Court in St. George and a growing number of city justice courts serving one of Utah's fastest-expanding regions. Located in the southwest corner of the state, Washington County sees heavy traffic volume on Interstate 15 and the roads connecting St. George to surrounding communities. This page covers where traffic cases are filed, how to look up your records, and what to expect from the court process in Washington County.
Washington County Quick Facts
Fifth District Court - Washington County
The Fifth District Court in St. George is the main court for Washington County. It sits at 206 West Tabernacle, St. George, UT 84770, with a main phone number of (435) 986-5700. This court handles felony cases, Class A misdemeanors, civil matters over $11,000, family law, and probate for all of Washington County. Traffic violations that rise to the criminal level, such as felony DUI or reckless driving causing injury, are handled here.
The Fifth District Court is also the court of appeal for justice court decisions in Washington County. If a justice court rules against you and you want to challenge that ruling, you file for a trial de novo at the Fifth District level. District court cases are searchable through MyCase on the Utah Courts website. The Utah Courts website at utcourts.gov has the latest contact information and hours for the Fifth District Court.
| Court |
Fifth District Court 206 West Tabernacle St. George, UT 84770 Phone: (435) 986-5700 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
The image below shows the Utah Courts homepage, which you can use to search for Fifth District Court cases in Washington County, access the MyCase portal, and find forms and self-help resources.
Start at utcourts.gov to access case search, court locations, and online payment tools for Washington County traffic cases.
Justice Courts in Washington County
Washington County has city justice courts serving St. George and Washington City, the two largest incorporated communities in the county. Both courts handle traffic infractions, Class B and C misdemeanors, and small claims cases for their respective residents. These courts process the bulk of day-to-day traffic citations issued in the county.
St. George City Justice Court serves residents of St. George, which is the county seat and the largest city in southern Utah. Traffic citations issued within St. George city limits go to this court. The court handles a high volume of cases given St. George's population and the volume of visitors and commuters passing through the area. Contact the city at utcourts.gov or through the St. George city website for current court hours and contact details.
Washington City Justice Court serves residents of Washington City, which is a fast-growing community just west of St. George. You can find information about this court at washingtoncity.org. Citations issued within Washington City go to this court. The same response rules apply. You must act before the deadline printed on your citation or risk additional penalties.
For citations issued by the Washington County Sheriff outside city limits, contact the Fifth District Court or the Utah County Justice Court system through MyCase to confirm which court has jurisdiction over your specific case.
How to Search Washington County Traffic Ticket Records
The best starting point for searching Washington County traffic ticket records is MyCase at utcourts.gov. This free public tool lets you search by name, case number, or citation number. It covers both justice court and district court cases. Results show charge information, court dates, case status, and fines owed. Most cases appear in the system within a few business days of being filed with the court.
In-person records requests can be made at the Fifth District Court clerk's office at 206 West Tabernacle in St. George. Bring photo ID and any case numbers you have. Records copies cost $0.50 per page. The clerk can search by party name or case number and can confirm which court location handles a specific type of case.
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse in St. George and let you search the XChange court database for free. These terminals are useful if you want help from court staff while searching or need to print documents on the spot.
Online payments for Washington County traffic fines can be made through the Utah Courts payment portal at utcourts.gov/epayments. Have your case number ready. The system accepts major credit and debit cards. City justice courts may also have their own payment options linked through city websites.
Traffic Violations and Penalties in Washington County
Washington County courts follow the Utah Traffic Code, Title 41 Chapter 6a. Speed limits on Interstate 15 through Washington County include sections at 80 miles per hour, among the highest in the state. Violations on high-speed roads can carry higher fines because base fines often scale with how far over the limit a driver was traveling.
Most routine traffic stops in Washington County result in infraction-level citations. These carry fines and no criminal record. Common examples include speeding, improper lane change, failure to use a turn signal, and cell phone violations. Misdemeanor-level violations include reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and some DUI charges. Fines vary by court and violation type. School and work zone violations carry increased penalties.
Points for moving violations go onto your driving record through the Utah Driver License Division. Enough points within 18 months can trigger a license suspension. Washington County courts report convictions to the Driver License Division, which updates your record. Check your current point total at dld.utah.gov if you want to know where you stand after a citation.
The region's rapid growth has brought increased law enforcement presence on major roads, including SR-9 toward Zion National Park, SR-18, and the streets connecting new developments west and east of St. George. Expect enforcement activity to increase as the population grows.
Deferred Prosecution in Washington County
Deferred prosecution is available for qualifying traffic violations in Washington County. This program lets the court hold your case open while you complete certain conditions. If you meet those conditions, the charge is dismissed with no conviction on your record. Typical requirements include completing a driving safety course, paying a program fee, and avoiding any new violations for the deferral period.
The Utah Courts deferred traffic program page at utcourts.gov/deferredtraffic explains the statewide process and eligibility rules. Individual courts in Washington County may have additional local requirements. The key is to apply before your initial response deadline. Once that date passes, you may lose access to the deferral option and be required to either pay the full fine or appear in court.
Traffic school is another option for some violations. Contact the specific court on your citation to ask whether completing a driving course will help with your case. Different courts handle this differently, and some require pre-approval before you enroll. Getting that approval in writing is good practice.
Searching Records with MyCase
The MyCase portal is the easiest way to check Washington County traffic ticket case status from home. The screenshot below shows the MyCase search interface at the Utah Courts website, where you can enter a name or case number to find active or resolved cases.
MyCase at utcourts.gov/mycase is free to use and covers courts across the entire state, including all Washington County courts.
Public Record Access Under GRAMA
Washington County traffic ticket records are public records under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act. Any person can request them from the clerk of the relevant court. Submit a written GRAMA request with your name, contact information, a description of what you want, and the case number if available. Courts must respond within five business days. Copies cost $0.50 per page at most locations.
Criminal history records that include traffic convictions at the misdemeanor level or above are available through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification. Driving records are a separate product available through the Utah Driver License Division. Both resources are separate from the court clerk records and serve different purposes.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes several communities, each served by its own justice court for traffic and misdemeanor cases.
Nearby Counties
Washington County shares borders with Garfield, Iron, and Kane counties. Citations issued on roads near county lines may be filed in a neighboring court depending on where the violation occurred.