Find Arrest Records in Arizona
Arizona arrest records are public documents kept by county sheriff offices and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The state has 15 counties, and each sheriff maintains its own arrest logs, booking records, and inmate data. The Arizona DPS Central State Repository holds over 3 million criminal history records in Arizona. You can search arrest records online through county inmate search portals, request copies by mail, or visit sheriff offices in person. Most Arizona counties offer free online inmate lookups that show current bookings.
Arizona Arrest Records Quick Facts
What Do Arizona Arrest Records Show?
Arrest records contain details about bookings and charges. When police arrest someone, they create a booking record in the county system. This stays on file even after the case ends.
A typical arrest record in Arizona includes the full legal name of the person arrested, their date of birth, and physical description. The record shows the date and time of the arrest along with the location where it took place. It lists the charges filed, the arresting agency, and the booking number assigned to the case. Many records also include a mugshot photo taken at the time of booking. Some arrest records contain information about bail amounts, court dates, and release status, though the level of detail varies by county in Arizona.
The Arizona DPS portal shown above provides access to criminal history information at the state level. County sheriff offices maintain their own booking records and inmate rosters. Keep in mind that arrest records differ from conviction records. An arrest means police took someone into custody based on probable cause, but a conviction only happens later if a court finds the person guilty. Some people with arrest records were never convicted of any crime in Arizona.
How Arizona's Arrest Records System Works
Arizona uses a two-tier system for storing arrest records. At the state level, the Department of Public Safety runs the Central State Repository holding criminal history records from all 15 Arizona counties. Law enforcement agencies send arrest data to DPS within 10 days of each booking, and the repository processes about 2.7 million requests for records each year.
At the county level, each sheriff's office keeps its own arrest records. The sheriff handles arrests in unincorporated areas. City police make arrests within city limits, but booking usually happens at the county jail. This means the sheriff ends up with booking records for most arrests, even those made by city police in Arizona.
The Arizona DPS Criminal History Records Unit is at 2222 W. Encanto Blvd. in Phoenix. Call (602) 223-2000, then select option 2 and option 3 to reach the records unit. They handle state-level criminal history checks and provide certified records for background checks.
Local sheriff offices handle most public requests. Each county has its own records unit with staff who search for booking information. Response times and fees vary. Maricopa County has the most extensive online tools, while smaller counties may require phone calls or in-person visits to access arrest records in Arizona.
Arizona Arrest Record Fees
Fees depend on what you need and where you get it. Arizona DPS charges $9 for the first 9 pages of any records request, with each additional page costing 10 cents. Email delivery is still $9, while DVD costs $15 and flash drive costs $20. County sheriff offices set their own fees for local arrest records, typically ranging from $5 to $7.50 for a report. Maricopa County charges $25 per hour for video footage, and Pima County adds a $50 surcharge for commercial requests in Arizona.
Body camera footage costs more due to review and redaction time. Pima County charges $46 per hour for body camera footage, and many other Arizona counties use similar rates. Audio and video on CD or DVD may cost $15 or more. Online inmate searches are free at most Arizona sheriff websites, but getting copies of actual arrest reports or certified records costs money. Some counties accept cash, money orders, or business checks only, so personal checks and credit cards may not work everywhere in Arizona.
Are Arizona Arrest Records Public?
Yes. Arizona arrest records are public under state law. A.R.S. § 39-121 gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records. This includes arrest records, booking logs, and criminal history information held by law enforcement. You do not need to explain why you want the records.
The law requires public bodies to make records available during regular business hours and provide copies when asked. Agencies cannot charge more than the actual cost of making copies in Arizona.
The DPS records request page shown above explains how to get criminal history records at the state level. Fill out a request form, pay the fee, and the agency sends copies of the records you asked for. The process is straightforward for most requests in Arizona.
Some arrest records have limits on access. Juvenile arrest records are not public in Arizona, and sealed records cannot be released. If a court has sealed someone's criminal record under A.R.S. § 13-911, that information will not show up in a standard records search. Active investigation records may also be withheld until the case closes in Arizona.
Arizona Arrest Records Laws
Three main statutes control arrest records in Arizona. A.R.S. § 39-121 is the public records act, stating that public records in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person during office hours. This broad language covers arrest records held by sheriff offices, police departments, and state agencies, and requires agencies to provide copies promptly.
A.R.S. § 41-1750 establishes the Central State Repository within the Department of Public Safety, requiring law enforcement agencies to submit arrest information. The DPS maintains this database and provides criminal history records to authorized users. The statute shown above sets out the rules for how the repository operates in Arizona.
A.R.S. § 13-911 allows people to petition the court to seal their criminal records. This law took effect December 31, 2022. It lets people with certain convictions ask a court to seal records after completing their sentence and waiting for a specified time. Once sealed, the arrest record will not appear in most background checks, though not all offenses qualify for sealing in Arizona.
Can You Search Arizona Arrest Records Online?
Yes. Most Arizona counties offer free online inmate searches showing who is currently in the county jail. Some also show recent bookings and releases. Information updates regularly, often every hour. Online search is the fastest way to check for recent arrests in Arizona.
The Arizona Courts Public Access system lets you look up court cases statewide, including criminal cases from arrests. Search by name or case number to see case status, charges, and court dates. It does not show the original arrest record, but it shows what happened after charges were filed in Arizona.
The court case lookup shown above covers all Arizona courts for finding criminal cases, charges, and case progress. For actual arrest booking information, search the county sheriff's inmate roster or request records from the sheriff's office directly.
Each county sheriff has its own inmate search tool. Maricopa County offers free inmate lookup through the sheriff's website. Pima County has an inmate search portal showing current jail population, and Pinal County updates its inmate search every 60 minutes. To search, you typically need the person's name, and a date of birth helps narrow results. Results show basic booking information including charges and bail. For full arrest reports, submit a formal records request in Arizona.
Sealing Arrest Records in Arizona
Arizona law now allows some criminal records to be sealed. Under A.R.S. § 13-911, people who have completed their sentences can ask the court to seal records. The waiting period depends on the offense type, with misdemeanors requiring a shorter wait than felonies in Arizona.
The court website shown above explains the sealing process. File a petition with the court that handled your case. The court reviews your request and may hold a hearing. If granted, your arrest record becomes sealed and will not show up in most background checks after that in Arizona.
Not all offenses can be sealed. Serious violent crimes and sex offenses generally cannot be sealed. Traffic offenses that are civil in nature do not qualify since they are not criminal records. People with pending charges or currently on probation cannot seal records until those matters are resolved. The sealing law does not destroy records. Law enforcement can still see sealed records in some cases, and certain employers like schools and healthcare facilities may access sealed records during background checks. But for most purposes, a sealed arrest record will not appear in public searches in Arizona.
Browse Arizona Arrest Records by County
Each of Arizona's 15 counties has a sheriff's office that maintains arrest records. Pick a county below to find contact information, online search tools, and local procedures for accessing records.
Arizona Cities for Arrest Records
City police departments handle arrests within their jurisdictions, but booking usually happens at the county jail. Select a city below to learn about local arrest record access and police department contact information in Arizona.