Arizona Criminal Records

Are criminal records public in Arizona?

Because of the Arizona Public Records Law, all criminal records, arrests, inmate records, rape sheets, etc., are all available to anyone who wishes to access them. The purpose of the law is to make the state government more transparent and to keep the public informed.

How do I find criminal records in Arizona?

You can also go through the DPS if you would like to gain access to a number of other types of Arizona criminal records. You can request your own background information file fairly easily. You will simply need to demonstrate your identity, and the DPS will be able to show you your file. It can be a little more challenging if you would need to look up information on another person. There are many potential employers that may have to conduct background checks. They can do exactly this if they are willing to go through the DPS and meet their requirements. It works best if you are able to collaborate with the employee who needs their background checked.

How do I search for arrest records in Arizona?

To search for arrest records in Arizona, you can visit the Sheriff's Office and inquire about retrieving someone's history of arrests. There are also different websites online that can provide you with someone's arrest record if they have not been sealed or expunged.

What's inside an arrest record in Arizona?

Arrest records in Arizona contain information like the when and where of the arrest, what crimes were charged against the individual, the name of the arresting officer, and mugshots or fingerprints, and the local detention center they were held at.

How do I find inmates in Arizona?

The Arizona Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate locator database on its website. You need to know either the inmate's number or their first initial and last name. Doing a search of these will bring up a list of results and provide their inmate record.

How do I find police reports in Arizona?

Visiting the local police department in Arizona will provide any police reports or arrest reports on file. Police reports are different than police records because they deal with traffic incidents and collisions. The Arizona Department of Public Safety also has these kinds of records on a state level but cannot provide the local ones.

How do you check for arrest warrants in Arizona?

You can find out if there have been warrants issued against you or someone else in Arizona through the judicial system or the Sheriff's Office. On the county level, Maricopa County has a warrant lookup tool on its website.

How do I find someone's parole status in Arizona?

Parole status can be found when using the Arizona inmate locator tool online. There is a small section about it when clicking on an inmate's full record. Additionally, there are certain parole offices located through the state that is managed by the Arizona Department of Corrections.

How do I find court records in Maricopa County?

On the Maricopa County website, there is a link for each of the different court records that it manages. For criminal cases, you can search by name or by case number. In the court record, there will be all of the names of the documents related to the case and what the result of the case was.

What is a felony in Arizona?

A felony in Arizona is a categorization for more serious crimes or misdemeanors with aggravating circumstances. There are classes 1-6 in descending order from most severe to least severe. Examples of felonies are sexual assault, murder, human trafficking, and credit card theft.

What is a misdemeanor in Arizona?

A misdemeanor in Arizona is a lower-level type of crime that is only punishable by up to 6 months in a local jail unless the circumstances cause it to be treated as a felony. There are three different classes of misdemeanors as well as petty misdemeanors. Examples include DUI, possession of a prescription drug, minor in possession of alcohol, and resisting arrest.

Are mugshots public record in Arizona?

Mugshots are publicly maintained information in Arizona and are most commonly found on inmate records and arrest records. If there is a wanted fugitive or a high-level criminal, then their mugshot will be publicly posted to help find them. Additionally, victims utilize mugshots to confirm the identity of an offender.

Can I get rid of my criminal record in Arizona?

You can get rid of your criminal record in Arizona through a process called setting aside. After you have successfully completed your sentence, you can submit an application to the court for setting aside, which will show that the charges were dropped, and the conviction has been removed. It is important to hire an attorney for this process to give you the best chance of success.

How do I get my record expunged in Arizona?

There is no way to get your record expunged in Arizona. The best you can try and do is get it set aside. Expungement is the process of destroying your criminal record to give you a clean start. If you have been charged with a crime, then it is in your best interest to get a lawyer to try and prevent a conviction from going on your record.

What is Megan's Law in Arizona?

Megan's Law in Arizona is a law that requires people convicted of a sex offense to be put on a registry and have information about their whereabouts posted on the registry for a certain amount of time. Low-level sex offenses are not required to register in Arizona, and level two and three offenders must register for life.

How do I find sex offenders in Arizona?

Many other agencies will need to keep track of the sex offenders that are found in different places throughout Arizona. This is particularly useful information for a lot of different organizations. Even some families will be curious to learn about whether a sex offender lives near them. The DPS operates the Arizona sex offender search website, which can link people up with this kind of vital information. You can actually generate a downloadable list through their site, which could prove to be very useful as well.

How far back can employers check a criminal background in Arizona?

Arizona employers are required under federal law to not investigate any arrest information until offering employment to a job applicant. However, they do have the right to look into prior convictions no matter how long ago they happened.

Is DUI a felony in Arizona?

In most circumstances, DUI's in Arizona will only be a misdemeanor or a low-level felony that can be downgraded to a misdemeanor. The only way a DUI offense would send someone to prison is if there were aggravating circumstances, like driving on the wrong side of the freeway or having a child in the car.

Are juvenile criminal records sealed in Arizona?

Juvenile records can be either expunged or sealed once the juvenile reaches the age of 18. If you were convicted of a felony as a juvenile, then the best you can do is apply for sealing of the record. Any misdemeanors or arrests that didn't result in convictions can be expunged as a juvenile.