Search Maricopa County Arrest Records

Maricopa County arrest records are maintained by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, which operates one of the largest jail systems in the country. The county covers the Phoenix metropolitan area and is home to more than 4 million residents. The sheriff's office handles thousands of bookings each year and keeps detailed records of every arrest processed through the county jail. You can search current inmate information online for free through the MCSO website, and request copies of arrest reports through the records division.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is headquartered at 550 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. This is the main administrative building where you can submit records requests in person. The records division handles public requests for arrest reports, incident documentation, and other law enforcement records. Staff can help you locate specific records and explain what information is available in Maricopa County.

You can reach the sheriff's office main line at (602) 876-1000. For records specifically, call (602) 876-3400. The records unit is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM. You can also email requests to mcsorecords@mcso.maricopa.gov if you prefer not to call or visit. Response times vary based on workload, but simple requests are usually processed within a few business days in Maricopa County.

The sheriff's office serves as the primary booking facility for the entire county. When Phoenix police or any other local police department makes an arrest, the person is typically transported to a Maricopa County jail facility for booking. This means the sheriff maintains booking records for nearly all arrests in the county, even those made by city police officers. The jail system includes multiple facilities spread across the metro area to handle the large volume.

How to Search Maricopa County Arrest Records Online

The Maricopa County Sheriff provides a free online inmate search tool. You can access the MCSO Inmate Information portal to look up current inmates by name or booking number. The search shows who is currently in custody, their charges, bail amount, and housing location. This tool is available around the clock and does not require any login or fee.

The inmate search portal shown above lets you find current booking information quickly. You enter a name and the system returns matching results. Each result shows the person's booking date, charges, and current status in the Maricopa County jail. This is helpful if you need to locate someone who was recently arrested or want to check on their release status.

For copies of actual arrest reports or older records not shown in the current inmate roster, you need to submit a formal request. Visit the MCSO Records Request page to start the process. You will need to provide details about the incident, including names, dates, and any case numbers you have. The sheriff's office will search their system and provide copies for a fee in Maricopa County.

Maricopa County Arrest Record Fees

Maricopa County charges fees for copies of arrest records and other documentation. Video footage costs $25 per hour of review time. This covers the staff time needed to locate, review, and redact sensitive information from body camera or dash camera recordings. Audio recordings and other media may have similar fees depending on the amount of material requested.

Accident reports are available for $5 through the BuyCrash system. This is a separate portal that handles traffic accident documentation. For other arrest reports and incident records, fees vary based on the size of the file and type of copy you need. Contact the records unit at (602) 876-3400 for an estimate before submitting your request in Maricopa County. Getting a quote upfront helps you budget appropriately.

Payment options are limited at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. They accept cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and business checks. Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted for records requests. Make sure you have an approved payment method ready before visiting in person. If you mail a request, include a money order or cashier's check for the estimated fee.

How to Request Records in Maricopa County

You have several options for requesting arrest records from the Maricopa County Sheriff. The fastest method is often to use the online request portal. Go to the sheriff's website and fill out the records request form. Include as much detail as possible about what you need. The more specific your request, the faster staff can locate the records you want in Maricopa County.

In-person requests can be made at the sheriff's headquarters at 550 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. Bring a valid ID and any information you have about the arrest, such as names, dates, or case numbers. Staff will help you complete the request and give you a time estimate for when the records will be ready. You may be able to wait for simple requests or pick them up later.

Mail requests should be sent to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Records Unit. Include a written description of what you need, your contact information, and payment. Allow extra time for mail delivery and processing. Phone requests at (602) 876-3400 let you ask questions and get guidance on what records are available, though you may still need to follow up with a written request for copies in Maricopa County.

Maricopa County Jail System

Maricopa County operates one of the largest jail systems in the United States. The system includes multiple facilities that house thousands of inmates at any given time. The main intake facility processes all new bookings for the county. When someone is arrested in Maricopa County, they are brought to this facility for fingerprinting, photographing, and initial processing.

The booking process creates the arrest record that goes into the county database. Each booking gets a unique number that stays with the case throughout the criminal justice process. You can use this booking number to track the case or request records later. The inmate search tool shows current booking numbers for people in custody in Maricopa County.

After booking, inmates may be transferred to different facilities based on their charges, classification level, and other factors. The sheriff's website shows current housing locations for each inmate. Family members and attorneys often use this information to locate people in custody and arrange visits. Booking records stay in the system even after a person is released from the Maricopa County jail, so you can request historical records as well.

Arizona Arrest Records Laws

Arizona law makes most arrest records public. 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 other law enforcement documentation. You do not need to give a reason for your request or prove any special interest in the records.

The Maricopa County Sheriff must respond to records requests promptly and cannot charge more than the actual cost of copying. Some records may be redacted to protect sensitive information like social security numbers or victim details. Juvenile records are not public under Arizona law. Sealed records cannot be released to the general public either.

If you want to seal your own criminal record in Maricopa County, A.R.S. § 13-911 allows petitions for record sealing after completing your sentence. The waiting period depends on the offense type. Not all crimes qualify for sealing. You file the petition with the court that handled your case, not with the sheriff's office. For statewide searches, contact the Arizona DPS Central State Repository.

Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County includes Phoenix and many surrounding cities. Each city has its own police department that makes arrests, but booking typically happens at Maricopa County jail facilities. If you need the police report from a city arrest, contact that city's police department. For booking records and jail information, use the county sheriff's resources.

Nearby Counties

Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties. If you need arrest records from areas outside Maricopa County, you will need to contact the appropriate sheriff's office in that jurisdiction.