Apache County Court Dockets

Court dockets in Apache County are managed by Clerk of Court Annell Hounshell at the Superior Court in St. Johns. The county covers northeastern Arizona including portions of the Navajo Nation and Apache tribal lands, making it one of the most culturally diverse court jurisdictions in the state. All felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $10,000, family law proceedings, and probate matters are handled by Superior Court where complete docket records are maintained and made available to the public during regular business hours.

Accessing Court Docket Records

The Clerk of Court office provides access to all Superior Court dockets and case files. Call 928-337-7550 to reach the clerk. The office is at 70 W. 3rd South St., St. Johns, AZ 85936. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The staff can search for cases by name or case number and tell you what is in the court file. You can visit in person to review documents or request copies of specific filings from any case in their system. The clerk maintains all records dating back many years, though older files may require extra time to retrieve from storage.

Free online searches are available through the statewide portal at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess. This system covers 177 Arizona courts including Apache County courts. Enter a party name or case number to search. Results show case type, charges or claims, important dates, and current status. Viewing basic docket information is free and requires no account or registration. The system updates regularly throughout the day as new filings are processed and court hearings conclude. You can search from any computer or mobile device with internet access at any time of day or night, which makes it convenient for people who cannot visit the courthouse during business hours or who live far from St. Johns.

The Clerk of Court main page at apachecountyaz.gov provides contact details and explains the clerk's duties, as shown below.

This page describes how the clerk maintains all case files, processes new filings, collects fees, and provides public access to court dockets and records.

What Court Dockets Show

Criminal dockets list all felony cases in Apache County. Drug offenses, theft, burglary, assault, fraud, and DUI with aggravating factors all appear on criminal court dockets. The docket shows the defendant, charges filed, the prosecutor and defense attorney, all court dates, plea agreements, trial proceedings, and sentencing. Each entry is dated so you can track what happened and when from the initial filing through final disposition. You can see when the defendant was arraigned, when pretrial conferences occurred, whether any motions were filed and how the judge ruled on them, and the ultimate outcome of the case.

Civil case dockets cover lawsuits between parties. Personal injury claims, contract disputes, property disagreements, and business litigation appear in civil dockets. The docket identifies the plaintiff who sued, the defendant being sued, the amount claimed, when the complaint was served, the defendant's answer, all motions and hearings, and the final judgment. You can follow a civil case through the docket to see what stage it has reached and when hearings are scheduled.

Family law dockets include divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders. The docket lists both parties, the filing date, temporary order hearings, mediation sessions, trial dates if contested, and final decrees. Some family law information may be sealed to protect children, but basic docket entries showing case status and hearing dates are generally public. These cases often involve multiple hearings over several months as the court works through custody arrangements, property division, and support obligations.

Probate dockets show estates of deceased persons, guardianships, and conservatorships. The docket identifies the decedent or protected person, the personal representative or guardian appointed, creditor claims, asset inventories, and distribution orders. These cases can span many months, and the docket provides a complete record of all court actions. The court supervises the administration of estates to ensure assets are distributed properly and guardians are managing their responsibilities correctly.

Superior Court Information

Visit the Superior Court overview page at apachecountyaz.gov/Superior-Court to learn about court divisions and procedures.

This page explains the different types of cases handled by Superior Court and provides information about court procedures and requirements.

Not all cases are public. Juvenile delinquency matters are confidential under Arizona law. Mental health proceedings are sealed. Adoption records cannot be accessed by the public. These cases will not appear in any public docket search even if you know they exist. The law protects privacy in certain sensitive matters to shield vulnerable individuals from public scrutiny and potential harm.

Justice Court System

Apache County has four Justice Courts. St. Johns Justice Court serves the county seat. Chinle Justice Court handles cases in the northern region. Puerco Justice Court in Sanders covers the southern area. Round Valley Justice Court serves the eastern communities. These courts handle misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, civil cases up to $10,000, small claims up to $3,500, and eviction actions. Each precinct operates independently with its own judge and staff, though they all follow the same state laws and procedures for handling cases.

Each Justice Court maintains its own case files and dockets. You must contact the specific precinct where the case was filed to get records. The statewide search portal includes Justice Court cases, so you can search all four precincts together. This saves time when you are not sure which court handled a particular case. The search results will tell you which precinct to contact if you need copies of documents or want to speak with court staff about your case.

The Justice Courts directory at apachecountyaz.gov/Justice-Courts provides contact information for each precinct.

This page lists the four Justice Court locations with addresses, phone numbers, and the areas each court serves.

Justice Court dockets show parties, charges or claims, hearing dates, and outcomes. Many cases are resolved through plea agreements or fine payments. More serious misdemeanors may go to trial. The docket tracks all appearances and shows the final disposition.

Getting Document Copies

In-person requests are handled at the Clerk of Court office in St. Johns. Walk in during business hours. Provide the case number or party names. Tell the clerk which documents you need copied. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $35 per document plus the per-page fee. Certification adds an official seal and signature from the clerk. Pay at the counter with cash, check, or credit card.

For mail requests, write to Clerk of Court, 70 W. 3rd South St., St. Johns, AZ 85936. Include the case number, names of all parties, a list of documents needed, and your mailing address. Send payment by check or money order for the copy fees. Add $8 for postage and handling. The clerk will process your request and mail the documents to you. Allow two to three weeks for processing. During busy periods the wait may be longer, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.

The eAccess system at eaccess.azcourts.gov allows online document purchase for $10 per document. Create an account with your email and credit card. Search for your case. Select which documents to download. Pay and receive PDF copies immediately. This costs more than getting copies from the clerk but provides instant access.

Nearby Counties

Apache County borders several other counties. If your case was filed elsewhere, check these neighboring court systems:

• Navajo County to the south
• Coconino County to the west
• Greenlee County to the southeast

Apache County also borders New Mexico and Utah. Cases filed in those states are in their court systems and will not appear in Arizona searches. Each state and county maintains separate court dockets.

Note: Cases involving tribal courts on the Navajo Nation or other tribal lands are separate from Apache County courts. Contact the appropriate tribal court for those records.