Pima County Arrest Records Search

Pima County arrest records are maintained by the Pima County Sheriff's Department in Tucson. As the second largest county in Arizona, Pima processes thousands of bookings each year.

Pima County Sheriff's Department

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has its headquarters at 1750 E. Benson Highway in Tucson. This is where you find the main administrative offices. But if you need records, head to a different building. The records division operates out of 1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite C. It is nearby but not the same location. Make sure you go to the right place to avoid wasting a trip.

The main number is (520) 351-4600. For records requests, call (520) 351-4650 to reach the records unit directly. You can also email PublicRecordsRequest@sheriff.pima.gov. Email works well for initial questions or getting information before you submit a formal request. Staff usually respond within a few business days to email inquiries in Pima County.

The sheriff serves unincorporated areas of Pima County and runs the adult detention complex. When Tucson police or other city officers make an arrest, they bring the person to the county jail for booking. This means the sheriff has booking records for most arrests in the county, even those made by city police. The jail processes a high volume given the county's large population.

Pima County is home to over a million people, making it Arizona's second most populated county after Maricopa. The sheriff's department handles a correspondingly large workload. Despite the volume, records staff work to process requests efficiently. Having your information organized before you call speeds things up.

How to Search Pima County Arrest Records Online

The Pima County Sheriff runs a free online inmate lookup tool. Go to the Pima County Inmate Search page and enter a name to find current inmates. The search shows who is in custody right now at the adult detention complex. You can see charges, booking dates, and bond amounts. The tool works around the clock so you can check any time.

The inmate search shown above gives you quick access to current booking data in Pima County. Type a name and the system pulls matching results from the jail roster. Each result displays the charges filed, when they were booked, and their bond amount. You can use this to locate someone recently arrested or check if they have been released.

For actual copies of arrest reports, you need to submit a formal request. The incident report request page walks you through the process. You provide details about the incident including names, dates, and location. The records unit searches their system and sends copies once you pay the fee.

The request form shown above tells you what information staff need to find your records. Fill out every field you can. Incomplete requests take longer because staff have to contact you for missing details.

Pima County Arrest Record Fees

Pima County charges $5 for reports up to 20 pages. This covers most standard arrest reports. Longer files cost more based on additional pages needed. Ask for an estimate if you think your records might run long.

Body camera footage carries different pricing. Pima County charges $46 per hour for staff to review and prepare body camera video. This covers the time someone spends finding the right footage, reviewing it, and redacting anything that needs to be hidden. Large footage requests can add up fast, so try to narrow down the specific time frame you need.

Commercial requests come with a $50 surcharge on top of regular fees. If you are pulling records for a business purpose like data aggregation or resale, you must say so and pay extra. Regular requests for personal use do not have this charge. Being upfront about your purpose avoids problems later in Pima County.

How to Request Records in Pima County

The online form is the easiest way for most requests. Visit the sheriff's website, fill in the details about what you need, and submit. The department reviews your request and contacts you about fees. Once you pay, they send your records. Simple requests often process within a week.

In-person requests work if you prefer face-to-face service. Go to the records division at 1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite C in Tucson. Bring your ID and any information about the incident. Staff can search the system while you are there and tell you what exists. You might get simple records the same day depending on workload in Pima County.

Mail is another option. Write down what you need, include your contact details, and send it with payment to the Pima County Sheriff's Department Records Division. Allow extra time for mail to arrive and processing to happen. Email to PublicRecordsRequest@sheriff.pima.gov works for initial questions, but you may still need to follow up with payment.

Pima County Adult Detention Complex

The Pima County Adult Detention Complex is where everyone arrested in the county gets booked. The booking process creates the record that goes into the county database. Each person receives a booking number that tracks their case through the system.

The facility holds people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. Family members can use the online search to find which housing unit someone is in. Visitation schedules and rules are posted on the sheriff's website. The inmate search shows current location so you know where to go for visits in Pima County.

Booking records stay in the system after release. You can request records from old arrests even if the person left custody years ago. The sheriff keeps these files as part of the permanent record. Historical requests may take slightly longer since older files sometimes need to be pulled from archives.

For jail reports specifically, the jail report request page handles those. Jail reports cover what happened during custody, which is different from the arrest report that documents the original incident. Know which type you need before requesting.

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 from government agencies. This covers arrest reports, booking logs, and related documents. You do not need to give a reason for wanting them.

Some things get redacted before release. Social security numbers always come out. Medical information stays private. Details that could identify crime victims may be removed depending on the case. Juvenile records are not public at all. Records sealed under A.R.S. § 13-911 stay sealed.

Crime victims get one free copy of the police report under A.R.S. § 39-127. If you were victimized by a crime in Pima County, let staff know when you make your request. You should not have to pay for that first copy.

Cities in Pima County

Tucson is the biggest city in Pima County and has its own police department. When Tucson police arrest someone, the person usually goes to the county jail for booking. The city has the police report from the arrest. The county has the booking record from the jail.

Nearby Counties

Pima County borders several other Arizona counties. Each maintains its own records system. If your search covers multiple areas, you will need to contact each one separately.