Juvenile Division

A juvenile is considered to be any individual who is under the age of 18 years. All juvenile civil traffic violations are treated in the same manner with the same penalties as adult civil traffic violations.

Failure to Appear

A parent or legal guardian must be present at all court appearances. If a juvenile fails to appear or fails to comply with any court order, the Court will direct the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department to suspend the juvenile's driver's license, or driving privilege, until the juvenile has satisfied the Court, or until their 18th birthday, whichever comes first.

If a juvenile defendant fails to comply with a court order, the case may be transferred to the Maricopa County Juvenile Court for further action.

Types of Charges

The Wickenburg Town Court can hear the following charges for juveniles:

  • All civil charges
  • Title 28 violations, not declared to be a felony
  • Purchase, possession, or consumption of spirituous liquor by a juvenile
  • Boating or game and fish violations
  • Curfew
  • Truancy
  • Damage or disfigurement of property by graffiti, or the purchase or possession of materials with the intent to use the materials for graffiti
  • Purchase or possession of tobacco
  • Violations of any city, town, or political subdivision ordinances
  • Interference with judicial proceedings involving disobeying or resisting the lawful order, process, or other mandate of a juvenile hearing officer or failure to appear related to any offense in A.R.S. 8-323

Not Guilty Pleas

At a juvenile non-civil traffic arraignment the juvenile will be set for a future pre-trial date if the juvenile does not admit responsibility. If an admission of responsibility is entered, any of the following could be ordered:

  • Order diversion
  • Order community service hours
  • Suspend driver's license
  • Assess a monetary fine
  • Order traffic survival school
  • Order defensive driving school
  • Order AA meetings
  • Assign unsupervised probation

At the time the juvenile turns 18, he/she reaches the age of majority. Any unadjudicated juvenile case is reviewed and then considered an adult criminal case and handled like any other adult case.

Wickenburg's Curfew Law (7 days a week)

The curfew law applies to those 17 years or under during these hours:

  • Sunday through Thursday
    10:30 pm to 5 am
  • Friday and Saturday
    Midnight to 5 am

Exceptions Include: When the person is on an emergency errand or legitimate business directed by his or her parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of the person. If gainfully employed with the permission of his parents, and may obtain a special permit to travel to and from his place of employment.