Coconino County DUI Court Guide

A vehicle driven by a person arrested for Extreme DUI (BAC ≥ 0.15), Aggravated DUI, or driving on a suspended license in Coconino County is subject to a mandatory 20-day impoundment. This consequence can be one of the most immediate and frustrating aspects of a DUI arrest.

Vehicle Impound Logistics

The vehicle release process in Coconino County involves three parties: the Owner, the Police Agency, and the Towing Company. To begin, you must first obtain a Vehicle Release Form from the impounding police agency by visiting their records department. The agency charges a non-refundable Administrative Fee of $150. Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) typically only accept Money Orders or Cashier’s Checks for this fee at the counter, made payable specifically to the agency (e.g., "Coconino County Sheriff's Office").

Once you have the Release Form, take it to the designated towing company, which, in Flagstaff, is primarily J.E.T.T. Towing. Be prepared for the following fees:

• Tow Fee: Approximately $65–$150 (flat rate).
• Storage Fee: $25.00 per day.
• After-Hours Gate Fee: $75–$150 (for pickups on weekends or after 5:00 PM).

Early Vehicle Release Exceptions

A.R.S. § 28-3512 provides exceptions to the 20-day hold, argued at a Post-Storage Hearing. The most common tactic is the "Spousal Exception." If the vehicle is community property and the spouse has a valid driver's license, the agency must release the vehicle to the spouse. The spouse needs to appear in person with a marriage certificate (or certified copy) and valid ID. Rental vehicles are exempt from the 20-day hold, and can be retrieved by the rental agency immediately. To utilize any of these exceptions, the owner/spouse must request a hearing within 10 days of the impound notice.

The 15-Day Deadline: Protecting Your License

Upon arrest for DUI in Coconino County, if you failed a breath test (BAC ≥ 0.08) or refused to take one, the officer seizes your Arizona driver's license and issues an Admin Per Se / Implied Consent Affidavit (a yellow or pink sheet). This serves as a temporary driving permit for only 15 days. It is critical to request an Executive Hearing with ADOT within those 15 days to contest the suspension. This request must be written and mailed or submitted online via the ADOT portal. Failing to do so results in an automatic license suspension on the 16th day, typically 90 days for a first offense (alcohol) or 12 months for a refusal.

Navigating Coconino County Courts

The court listed on your citation dictates the procedural flow of your DUI case. Here's a breakdown of the courts in Coconino County:

• Flagstaff Justice Court: Handles misdemeanor DUIs occurring in unincorporated Coconino County (outside city limits) and on state highways (I-17, I-40) enforced by DPS. Located at 200 N. San Francisco St, Flagstaff. Judge is Justice Howard Grodman.
• Flagstaff Municipal Court: Handles misdemeanor DUIs occurring within Flagstaff city limits, enforced by FPD or NAU PD. Located at 101 W. Cherry Ave, Flagstaff. Judge is Thomas L. Chotena.
• Page Justice Court & Magistrate: Handles cases in the extreme northern region, including the City of Page and surrounding highways. Located at 547 Vista Ave, Page. Judge: Donald G. Roberts (Justice of the Peace) / Rick Olson (Municipal Magistrate).
• Williams Justice Court: Handles the western county, including the City of Williams and the I-40 corridor towards Yavapai County. Located at 700 W. Railroad Ave, Williams. Judge: Robert Krombeen. Open court hours are 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Courtroom Conduct

When appearing in any Coconino County court, "business casual" is the minimum acceptable attire. Avoid shorts, tank tops, hats, or sunglasses. Page Justice Court explicitly bans "flip-flops," "muscle shirts," and clothing with offensive emblems. The general rule is to "dress modestly".

Tallini Bail Bonds operates 24/7 and can be reached at (928) 779-0357.