Boating Charges

When cited for water violations on the Colorado River, the citation that you are issued at the time of the violation is the only notification you will receive regarding your charges.  Most offenses are Petty Offenses under Title 5 of the Arizona Revised Statutes or Bullhead City Municipal Code, but some offenses are Misdemeanor Offenses and require appearance. 

Petty Offenses have the following rights:

• The right to retain assistance of an attorney at all stages of the proceedings. The court does not furnish counsel on Petty Offense violations. 
• The right to a hearing.
• The right to confront witnesses against you and to cross examine them as to the truthfulness of the testimony.
• The right to present evidence on your own behalf.
• The right to be presumed innocent until the State provides the court with evidence proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• The right to ask the court to compel witnesses to testify for you, at no cost to you.

Pleading Guilty to a Petty Offense:

To plead guilty and pay the associated fine on the Water Violation Bond Schedule, please complete the 09.26.2025 Boat Plea and file it in person, by mail, or email.  After the completed form is received you will be contacted for payment arrangements.

Pleading Not Guilty to a Petty Offense:

To plead not guilty, you must appear on the date and time indicated on your citation.

The following charges are Misdemeanor Offenses and require a court appearance:

Water Violation Must Appear Charges

Regardless of the charge being a Petty Offense or a Misdemeanor Offense, if action is not taken on or before the appearance date, an additional charge, Failure to Appear, will be added and a warrant issued for your arrest.