Mohave County DUI Court Guide
Everything you need to know about appearing in court for your DUI case in Mohave County.
Last verified: July 12, 2026
Mohave County Criminal Justice Center
About the Mohave County Court System
The Mohave County judicial system is bifurcated: County Criminal Courts at Law (16 courts) handle misdemeanor DUI cases (first/second offenses), while Criminal District Courts (20+ courts) handle felony charges (third offense, child passenger, injury, or death). The CJC houses both - misdemeanor courts on mid-rise floors, felony courts on high-rise floors.
Critical: Do NOT Do These Things
Warrant issued immediately
Anything you say can be used against you
Can be used as evidence
Additional criminal charges
Bail revoked, returned to jail
Others can be subpoenaed to testify
Security Screening & Prohibited Items
What to Expect
- Metal detector screening (remove belt, watch)
- Bag/purse X-ray scanning
- Allow 15-20 minutes for security
- Typical wait: 1-3 hours once inside
Do NOT Bring
- Weapons (including pocket knives)
- Pepper spray or mace
- Large bags or backpacks
- Food or drinks (water OK)
Court Day Checklist
Required Documents
Day-Of Reminders
Tip: Screenshot or print this checklist. Check items off as you prepare the night before.
How DUI Cases Move Through Court
1. Arraignment
First appearance, typically within 24-48 hours after arrest.
What Happens:
- Judge reads charges
- Enter plea (usually Not Guilty)
- Bail is set or reviewed
- Next court date scheduled
What to Know:
- Most plead Not Guilty initially
- Attorney will advise on plea
- Write down next court date
- Request public defender if needed
2. Pre-Trial Hearings
Multiple court dates over 2-6 months. Your attorney handles most of this.
What Your Attorney Does:
3. Plea Bargain or Trial
Over 90% of cases resolve through plea bargaining, not trial.
Plea Bargain (Common)
- Reduced charges possible
- Lower penalties
- Faster resolution
- Known outcome
Trial (Rare ~5%)
- Jury decides guilt
- Higher risk/reward
- Takes 6-12+ months
- More expensive
4. Sentencing
Judge imposes penalties. First offense usually means probation.
Common Outcomes (1st Offense):
Related Mohave County Guides
Look at the actual citation before assuming which court you're headed to. Mohave County runs both Justice Courts (for county-jurisdiction arrests) and separate Municipal Courts (for arrests inside city limits), and each city has both, so getting the wrong one wastes a trip.
Which Court, Where
Kingman has both Kingman/Cerbat Justice Court (524 W. Beale Street, covering unincorporated Kingman, Golden Valley, and the I-40 corridor) and Kingman Municipal Court (219 N. 4th Street, for arrests by Kingman PD inside city limits). Bullhead City has Bullhead City Justice Court (2225 Trane Road, covering Mohave Valley and Oatman) and Bullhead City Municipal Court (1255 Marina Blvd, for BHCPD arrests). Lake Havasu City has Lake Havasu Justice Court (2001 College Drive, covering Desert Hills and Yucca) and Lake Havasu Municipal Court (92 Acoma Blvd S, for LHCPD arrests).
The far northern "Arizona Strip," Colorado City, Beaver Dam, and Littlefield, is served by North Canyon Consolidated Court, 2100 South Highway 389 in Colorado City. Given it's a four-plus-hour drive from Kingman through Nevada and Utah, this is the one court in the county that's genuinely accommodating about remote appearances, though you still have to email a written request to Northcanyon@courts.az.gov well in advance rather than assume it'll be granted.
Courtroom Rules
Dress code is business casual at minimum; Kingman Justice Court explicitly bans shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops, and defendants have been turned away and picked up a failure-to-appear warrant over it. Phones must be off, recording is barred without a judge's specific order, and pocket knives or pepper spray will stop you at the metal detector. Arrive 30 minutes early to clear security.
Getting Legal Help
Find a local DUI attorney in our attorney directory — one who already knows whether your citation belongs in a Justice Court or a Municipal Court, and which of the county's several courthouses that means, can save a wasted trip on your first appearance.
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