Find Arrest Records in Apache County

Apache County arrest records are kept by the Apache County Sheriff's Office in St. Johns. This rural northeastern Arizona county spans over 11,000 square miles and includes parts of the Navajo Nation and Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The sheriff handles all booking and jail operations for county arrests. You can look up current inmates online through the county's search tool, and request copies of arrest reports by contacting the records division directly in Apache County.

Apache County Sheriff's Office

The Apache County Sheriff's Office is located at 370 S. Washington in St. Johns. This is the main office where you can submit records requests and get help with arrest record searches. The building houses the jail, dispatch center, and administrative offices all in one location. Staff here process requests for booking records, incident reports, and other law enforcement documentation maintained by the county.

You can reach the sheriff's office by calling (928) 337-4321 during business hours. They also have a toll-free number at 1-800-352-1850 for those calling from outside the local area. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Note that they are closed on Fridays, which is different from most other county offices in Arizona. If you need help outside these hours, dispatch is available around the clock for emergencies in Apache County.

The sheriff's office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the unincorporated areas of Apache County, which makes up most of the county's land area. They work closely with tribal police on the reservations and coordinate with state agencies when needed. All bookings for county charges go through the Apache County jail, creating a centralized record of arrests in the area. This means even if another agency made the arrest, the booking record often ends up with the county sheriff.

Staff at the records division can help you find specific arrest records or explain what documents are available. They deal with fewer requests than larger counties, so you may get faster service here than in places like Maricopa or Pima County.

How to Search Apache County Arrest Records Online

Apache County provides a free online inmate lookup tool through their website. You can access the Apache County Inmate Search portal to find current inmates by name. The search shows who is in custody at the Apache County jail right now, along with their booking information and charges. This tool does not require any login or registration to use.

The search tool shown above lets you look up inmates quickly. Enter a name and the system returns matching results from the county jail database. Each record shows basic booking information including the date, charges filed, and bond amount if one has been set. This is a good starting point when you need to find out if someone was recently arrested in Apache County or want to check their current custody status.

For records of people no longer in custody or for copies of the actual arrest reports, you need to contact the sheriff's office directly. The online tool only shows current inmates. Historical records and detailed incident reports require a formal request to the records division in Apache County.

Apache County Sheriff Resources

The Apache County Sheriff's website provides information about the department and its services. You can find contact details, learn about programs, and get forms for various requests from this page.

The website shown above is your starting point for all sheriff-related services in Apache County. From here you can navigate to the jail section, find forms, or get phone numbers for different divisions. The site is straightforward and does not require you to create an account to access basic information about arrest records and booking procedures. It also has links to other county departments that might be relevant to your search.

Apache County Arrest Record Fees

Apache County charges fees for copies of arrest records and related documents. The exact cost depends on what you need and how many pages are involved. Contact the records division at (928) 337-4321 to get a quote before submitting your request. Most standard arrest reports cost a few dollars for copies.

If you need body camera footage, audio recordings, or large files, expect to pay more. The county can provide an estimate once they know what records you want and how much material is involved. Payment is typically required before records are released in Apache County. They accept standard payment methods, but you should confirm acceptable forms when you contact them about your request. The online inmate search is completely free to use at any time.

How to Request Records in Apache County

The main way to request arrest records in Apache County is to contact the sheriff's office directly. You can call (928) 337-4321 or the toll-free line at 1-800-352-1850 during business hours. Staff will tell you what records are available and how to get copies. Because Apache County is rural, phone and mail requests are common since many people live far from St. Johns.

In-person requests can be made at 370 S. Washington in St. Johns. Bring your ID and any details you have about the arrest, such as names, dates, or case numbers. The more information you provide, the easier it is for staff to find what you need. You might be able to get simple records the same day, or they may ask you to come back later for larger requests.

Mail requests should include a written description of what you want, your contact information, and payment if you know the cost. Send your request to the Apache County Sheriff's Office at 370 S. Washington, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Allow extra time for mail delivery, especially in rural areas of the county. Response times depend on workload and the complexity of your request in Apache County.

Email may be an option for initial inquiries. Contact the office by phone first to ask about their preferred method for formal records requests.

Tribal Land Considerations in Apache County

A large portion of Apache County falls within the Navajo Nation and Fort Apache Indian Reservation. This creates a unique situation for arrest records. Arrests made by tribal police on reservation land may not be in the county sheriff's records at all.

Tribal law enforcement agencies maintain their own records systems separate from the county. If you need records for an arrest on tribal land, you may need to contact tribal police directly rather than the Apache County Sheriff. The Navajo Nation Police and White Mountain Apache Police are the main tribal agencies in the area. They have their own policies and procedures for records requests that differ from county processes.

The county sheriff handles arrests in unincorporated areas outside reservation boundaries. When state or county charges are involved, even on tribal land, those records may be in the county system. It gets complicated when multiple jurisdictions are involved. Staff at the sheriff's office can help you figure out where to look if you are not sure which agency handled a particular arrest in Apache County. They deal with these jurisdictional questions regularly and can point you in the right direction.

Arizona Arrest Records Laws

Arizona's public records law gives you the right to access arrest records. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, government agencies must let you inspect and copy public records. This includes arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports held by the Apache County Sheriff. You do not need to explain why you want the records or prove any special interest in them.

Some information may be redacted before records are released. Social security numbers, victim details, and certain investigative information can be blocked out to protect privacy. Juvenile records are not public in Arizona. Sealed records are also off limits to public access.

If you have your own criminal record and want to seal it, A.R.S. § 13-911 sets out the process. You file a petition with the court after completing your sentence. Not all crimes qualify, and there are waiting periods based on offense type. The court handles sealing requests, not the sheriff's office in Apache County. The state repository at Arizona DPS maintains criminal history records from all counties if you need a statewide search.

Nearby Counties

Apache County borders several other Arizona counties as well as New Mexico. If you need arrest records from outside Apache County, contact the sheriff's office in that jurisdiction. Each county maintains its own records system.