Access Graham County Arrest Records

Graham County arrest records are maintained by the Graham County Sheriff's Office in Safford. This southeastern Arizona county includes the Gila Valley and parts of the San Carlos Apache Reservation. The sheriff handles all booking and jail operations for county arrests. While Graham County does not have an online inmate search, you can request arrest records through the county's public records request process or by contacting the sheriff's office directly.

Graham County Sheriff's Office

The Graham County Sheriff's Office is located at 600 W. Graham Canal Road in Safford. This facility houses the administrative offices, detention center, and records division. All booking for county arrests happens here, creating the records you can later request. Safford serves as the county seat and is the largest community in Graham County.

Call (928) 428-3141 to reach the sheriff's office. Staff can answer questions about current inmates, explain the records request process, and help you locate specific arrest information. The office handles everything from simple questions to formal records requests. Phone service is usually the quickest way to get basic information about someone in custody in Graham County, especially if you just need to confirm whether someone is currently in the jail.

The Graham County Sheriff's website provides general information about the department. You can find contact details and learn about services offered by the office from this page. It is a good starting point when you need to understand how to work with the sheriff's office on arrest records.

How to Request Graham County Arrest Records

Graham County has a formal public records request process that covers all county departments including the sheriff's office. The Graham County Public Records Request page explains how to submit requests and what information you need to include.

The records request page shown above provides forms and instructions for getting arrest records in Graham County. You fill out the request form, describe what you need, and submit it to the county. The sheriff's office then processes requests for law enforcement records. This formal process creates a paper trail and helps ensure your request gets handled properly with documentation of your communication.

For simple questions like whether someone is currently in custody, a phone call to (928) 428-3141 may be faster than the formal request process. Staff can often provide basic booking information over the phone without requiring a written request. But for copies of actual reports or detailed documentation, the formal process is usually required in Graham County.

Graham County Arrest Record Fees

Graham County charges fees for copies of arrest records and other documents. Standard paper copies are typically charged per page at rates set by county policy. Contact the sheriff's office at (928) 428-3141 to get pricing for your specific request before submitting it.

Video and audio recordings cost more than paper documents because of the processing time involved. Body camera footage and interview recordings need to be reviewed and potentially redacted before release to protect privacy and safety. If you need these types of records, expect higher fees and longer processing times in Graham County. The county can provide an estimate once they know exactly what you are requesting so you can budget accordingly.

Ways to Submit Your Records Request

Phone requests start with a call to (928) 428-3141. Staff can tell you what records are available and whether you need to submit a formal written request. For basic information about current inmates, phone may be enough to get what you need without additional paperwork.

Written requests can be submitted through the county's public records request system. Download the form from the county website, complete it with as much detail as possible about what you need, and submit it according to the instructions. Include names, dates, and any case numbers you know. The more specific your request, the faster staff can find the right records in Graham County and respond to you.

In-person requests can be made at the sheriff's office at 600 W. Graham Canal Road in Safford during regular business hours. Bring identification and any information you have about the arrest. Staff can help you complete the request form and give you a time estimate for when records will be ready. For people living in or near Safford, this can be a convenient option that allows for direct communication with staff.

Records in a Small County

Graham County is one of Arizona's smaller counties by population, with around 39,000 residents. This means the sheriff's office handles fewer cases than places like Maricopa or Pima County. You may find that staff have more time to help with your request and that turnaround times are faster for routine records compared to busier jurisdictions.

The smaller scale also means the office may have more limited online resources. There is no inmate search portal like you would find in larger counties, so you need to use phone or in-person methods to check custody status. But the tradeoff is often more personal service when you call or visit. Staff tend to know the local system well and can point you in the right direction if records you need are held somewhere else in Graham County or by another agency.

Arizona Arrest Records Laws

Arizona law provides public access to arrest records. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, you have the right to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies. This includes arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports maintained by the Graham County Sheriff. You do not need to provide a reason for your request.

Some information may be redacted to protect privacy before records are released. Social security numbers, victim details, and certain investigative information can be removed from documents. Juvenile records are not public under Arizona law regardless of the circumstances. Sealed records also cannot be accessed by the general public.

If you want to seal your own criminal record in Graham County, A.R.S. § 13-911 allows petitions for record sealing after completing your sentence. You file with the court that handled your case, not the sheriff's office. There are waiting periods and eligibility requirements based on the type of offense. For comprehensive criminal history covering multiple counties, contact the Arizona DPS Central State Repository.

Nearby Counties

Graham County borders several other Arizona counties. For arrest records from areas outside Graham County, contact the appropriate sheriff's office in that jurisdiction.