Arizona Criminal Court Records Search: Cases & Dockets
Arizona Judicial Branch • Criminal court records
Arizona Criminal Court Records Search: Find Cases, Dockets, Charges & Court Dates
To search Arizona criminal court records, start with the Arizona Judicial Branch’s free Public Access to Court Case Information system. It allows you to search available cases by name or case number across participating Arizona courts.
If you need the actual court documents, use Arizona eAccess for eligible Superior Court records or contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the criminal case was filed.
A court docket is different from an official criminal-history background check. Arizona Department of Public Safety criminal-history records are subject to separate legal restrictions.
Government resources reviewed October 16, 2026. Court coverage, fees and record access may change.
The most useful answer first
Where Can You Search Arizona Criminal Court Records?
Arizona has three particularly important record-search routes: the free statewide case-information lookup, paid Superior Court document access through eAccess, and local court clerks who maintain official court files.
| What you need | Official source | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal case number or general case status | Arizona Public Access to Court Case Information | Free case lookup for participating courts |
| Felony case or Superior Court criminal docket | County Superior Court or its Clerk | Case details, criminal proceedings and available minute entries |
| Misdemeanor or criminal traffic case | Justice Court or Municipal Court | Local court case information and docket records |
| Actual public Superior Court documents | Arizona eAccess | Eligible documents available to preview, purchase or download |
| Certified criminal judgment or disposition | Clerk of Superior Court or relevant local clerk | Official certified court documents |
| Personal Arizona criminal-history record | Arizona DPS Central State Repository | Restricted personal review and challenge process |
| State prison or offender information | Arizona Department of Corrections | Corrections data rather than a complete court history |
| Federal criminal case | PACER | Federal district and appellate court records |
Free statewide case information
How to Search Arizona Criminal Court Records by Name or Case Number
The Arizona Judicial Branch’s Public Access to Court Case Information service currently identifies coverage from 177 of Arizona’s 184 courts. Its search form includes name, date-of-birth and court filters, as well as a separate case-number search.
Public Access to Court Case Information
Use this government portal to identify publicly searchable criminal cases. The result is informational and must be verified against the court’s official records.
Open Free Arizona Case Lookup-
Open the statewide public case-search portal
Visit the official Arizona Judicial Branch case search. Follow any displayed human-verification instructions before accessing the search fields.
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Choose Search by Name or Search by Case Number
Use the exact case number whenever known. Otherwise, use the defendant’s name and permitted filters.
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Enter the last name
The name-search form requires a last name or business name. Add a first name to narrow possible results.
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Use date of birth carefully
The form includes optional date-of-birth criteria. Use accurate identifying details where available and appropriate rather than guessing.
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Select a court if you know the jurisdiction
The Court field can narrow your search. If the court is unknown, begin with the broader options supported by the portal.
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Review matching cases
Compare names, case numbers, court locations, filing information and other publicly displayed details before assuming that a result belongs to the correct person.
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Open the case details
Review the available case information and any docket events. Check whether the case was dismissed, remains open, resulted in conviction or has another recorded outcome.
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Verify the result with the filing court
For consequential use, confirm the final disposition with the court that holds the official case file. Request a certified copy when necessary.
What the public search does not include
The Arizona Judicial Branch states that certain information is excluded from its public case results, including sealed cases, selected protected-person information, mental health and probate matters, and juvenile delinquency case information. Local ordinance violations are also outside the published statewide search coverage.
Choose the correct court
Arizona Superior Court vs. Justice Court vs. Municipal Court
Arizona’s court structure matters because different courts handle different criminal charges. Searching the wrong court can produce no results even when a criminal case exists.
Superior Court
Arizona’s general-jurisdiction trial court handles felony criminal cases and other proceedings within its jurisdiction.
Use for: Felony indictments, Superior Court arraignments, criminal trials, sentencing and post-conviction matters.
Justice Courts
Justice Courts handle misdemeanor cases, selected criminal traffic offenses and preliminary proceedings in felony matters.
Use for: Misdemeanor complaints, criminal traffic matters and some preliminary felony events.
Municipal or City Courts
Municipal courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanors and petty offenses within their city or town, including many criminal traffic offenses.
Use for: City-level misdemeanor, DUI, reckless-driving and related proceedings where the municipal court has jurisdiction.
Why a criminal case may appear in more than one court
A felony allegation can involve an initial appearance or preliminary proceeding in a limited-jurisdiction court before the case proceeds in Superior Court. Those proceedings may have different case numbers and separate records.
For example, if someone was initially charged in a Phoenix-area Justice Court but later prosecuted for a felony in Maricopa County Superior Court, researching only the first docket may not reveal the full later proceedings.
Case events and court orders
How to Find Arizona Criminal Court Dockets and Minute Entries
A criminal docket is the record of proceedings and filings in a court case. Arizona also uses minute entries, which are written records of court proceedings, orders or judicial actions.
Minute entries can be particularly useful when you need more detail than the statewide case summary provides.
Public Access Minute Entry Search
The Arizona Judicial Branch provides an online minute-entry search for participating Superior Courts. Its published coverage is limited to qualifying criminal case minute entries recorded in participating court document-management systems on or after January 1, 2010.
The search allows filtering by court, case number, case name and judge or commissioner where supported.
Open Public Access and Select Minute Entry SearchHow to read an Arizona criminal docket
| Docket entry | Meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Initial appearance | An early proceeding addressing charges and release conditions | Later filings and hearings |
| Preliminary hearing | A hearing involving the basis for proceeding on certain felony allegations | Whether the case moved to Superior Court |
| Arraignment | A court proceeding involving formal charges and plea | Subsequent case schedule |
| Motion filed | A party has requested court action | Court ruling on that motion |
| Plea agreement | A proposed or accepted negotiated resolution | Court acceptance and final judgment |
| Dismissal | A specified charge or proceeding has been terminated | Whether other charges or cases remain |
| Sentencing | A court proceeding or order imposing sentence | Final sentencing document |
| Notice of appeal | Appellate review has been initiated | Separate appellate case docket |
Arizona Superior Court documents
Arizona eAccess: Search and Download Criminal Court Documents
Arizona eAccess is different from the free statewide case-information index. It offers registered users online access to eligible Superior Court documents, including criminal case filings.
eAccess Superior Court Records
Use this service when you need an available case document rather than only a case number, general docket status or upcoming hearing.
Open Arizona eAccessArizona eAccess criminal record date coverage
Most Arizona Superior Courts
Eligible civil and criminal Superior Court records filed on or after July 1, 2010 are within the published eAccess date range.
Pima County criminal cases
For criminal cases filed in Pima County, eAccess document coverage begins on July 1, 2015, rather than July 1, 2010.
These are published eligibility dates, not guarantees that every document from a qualifying case is available online. Document restrictions and county-specific availability still apply.
How to search eAccess
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Register or sign in
Open eAccess and create an individual account if needed. The Judicial Branch requires registration and a valid email address.
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Choose Case & Party Search
The official eAccess guide identifies this as the standard search tab.
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Enter a case number or party name
Use the full or partial case number or party name. Select a particular Superior Court from the court dropdown if you know the county.
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Use Advanced Search when necessary
Additional fields can help refine a broad search. Follow the options displayed by the portal.
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Review available documents
Confirm the correct case, filing date, document title and relevance before purchasing.
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Preview or purchase
The portal allows a free preview of the first page of an eligible document. Full document downloads require the applicable purchase or subscription.
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Download promptly
The Judicial Branch states that purchased documents remain available through the account for 24 hours. Save the document locally during that access window.
Published online document charges
How Much Do Arizona Criminal Court Records Cost?
Basic public case-information searches and full document purchases have different costs. Arizona eAccess publishes the following fees.
| Service | Published cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide Public Access case lookup | Free | Participating courts; informational case details |
| eAccess first-page document preview | Free | Available document previews |
| eAccess pay-as-you-go document | $10 per document | Full viewing and download |
| eAccess 20-document subscription | $80 per month | Recurring subscription with monthly document limit |
| Electronically certified document — pay as you go | $45 per document | Published certification charge for this account type |
| Electronically certified document — monthly subscriber | $35 per document | Published certification charge for recurring subscribers |
| Local Clerk certified copy | Varies by court | Check the filing county or local court fee schedule |
For the latest charges, available subscriptions and requirements, review the official Arizona eAccess FAQs.
County-specific court records
Arizona Criminal Court Records by County
Arizona has 15 counties. County Superior Courts maintain their own official case files, and several counties provide additional local online searches.
Maricopa County — Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Glendale
Maricopa County Superior Court provides a dedicated Criminal Court Case Information search. This is especially useful for felony cases filed in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Its published search options include last and first name, initials combined with date of birth, and case number.
The local docket service also provides available criminal minute entries and case-calendar information. The Superior Court warns that some entries may change during a 24-hour auditing period.
Local records tip: Maricopa’s Clerk publishes an in-person copy charge of $0.50 per page and a $35 certification charge. Public record inspection is available without a copying charge at designated locations, including its Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix.
Pima County — Tucson
The Pima County Clerk of Superior Court offers a public record search and several methods for obtaining case documents.
The Clerk explicitly states that its office does not provide public criminal background checks, even though it can provide access to public criminal case records.
For record copies, the Clerk lists online, in-person, email, mail and phone-request options. A public-record request must include the required statement about whether the records will be used for a commercial purpose.
Pima-specific detail: Criminal document coverage through eAccess begins July 1, 2015. For older cases, ask the Pima County Clerk about available records and copy procedures.
Pinal County — Casa Grande, Florence and San Tan Valley
When a criminal prosecution was filed in Pinal County Superior Court, use the statewide Public Access search to identify the case and the county Clerk of Superior Court for official records.
For misdemeanor matters, identify the Justice Court or Municipal Court that handled the charge. A municipal complaint originating in Casa Grande is not automatically a Superior Court felony case.
Find Pinal County Superior, Justice and Municipal CourtsYavapai County — Prescott, Prescott Valley and Camp Verde
Use the Arizona public case lookup to search participating Yavapai courts. For public Superior Court documents or older case records, contact the Yavapai Clerk of Superior Court.
A Prescott-area misdemeanor may have been filed in a local limited-jurisdiction court rather than Yavapai Superior Court. Verify the court on the original citation or complaint.
Find the Yavapai Superior Court ClerkCoconino County — Flagstaff
Coconino County Superior Court handles felony cases filed in the county. Flagstaff Municipal Court and applicable Justice Courts maintain separate records for matters within their jurisdiction.
For an official Coconino Superior Court document or certified copy, the Judicial Branch lists the Clerk at 200 N. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
Find Coconino Court Records Contact InformationOther Arizona counties
For criminal cases in Cochise, Mohave, Navajo, Yuma, Apache, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz or Santa Cruz County, use the statewide court locator to find the correct Superior Court, Justice Court or Municipal Court.
The official county and court locator is more reliable than assuming every jurisdiction uses the same case-search website.
View Courts in All 15 Arizona CountiesOfficial records and certified documents
How to Obtain Certified Arizona Criminal Court Records
If you need an official judgment, sentencing order, dismissal, certified minute entry or full criminal case document, request it from the court that maintains the original record.
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Identify the correct filing court
Use the case search to confirm the county, court name and case number.
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Identify the exact document
Ask whether the receiving organization needs a certified judgment, final disposition, sentencing minute entry, dismissal order or another record.
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Choose the correct copy service
For eligible Superior Court documents, consider eAccess. Otherwise, contact the filing court’s Clerk directly.
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Check whether the record is public
Some cases or documents may be sealed or otherwise restricted under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123 and applicable law.
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Verify certification requirements
Ask whether an electronically certified document will be accepted or if a paper copy with an official seal is required.
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Confirm fees and delivery
Check copying charges, certification fees, payment methods and whether the Clerk accepts online, mail or in-person requests.
Restricted state criminal-history records
Arizona DPS Criminal History Record Checks and Personal Record Review
Arizona’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the Central State Repository for criminal-history records under A.R.S. § 41-1750.
However, that repository is not an unrestricted public database that anyone can search by name. Access is limited by Arizona law and the type of requester.
Criminal History Records — Central State Repository
The DPS website explains eligibility restrictions, record-review packets, fingerprint requirements, correction procedures and information for legally authorized agencies.
Open Arizona DPS Criminal History GuidanceCan you request your own Arizona criminal record?
Yes. DPS provides a personal record-review process so an individual can inspect the accuracy and completeness of the criminal-history information maintained about them.
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Open the DPS criminal-history page
Find the Record Reviews section and its online personal-review option or Record Review Packet instructions.
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Choose online or packet-based review
DPS links to the Public Services Portal for online record review. A paper packet may be requested or downloaded following DPS instructions.
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Complete the fingerprint requirements
For the paper process, the packet includes fingerprint-card instructions and a contact-information sheet. Follow the approved fingerprint-submission requirements.
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Submit the completed request
Use the instructions provided by DPS. Include the required forms and fingerprint card for the chosen process.
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Review the DPS response
For the completed paper-packet process, DPS states that a response is mailed within 15 days of receipt of the completed packet.
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Challenge inaccuracies if necessary
If information appears incomplete or incorrect, use DPS’s official record-review and challenge procedure with relevant court documentation.
Arizona DPS criminal-history contact
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Phone: 602-223-2000
For statewide criminal record reviews, DPS directs callers to Option 2 for Records and Reports, followed by Option 3 for Statewide Criminal Records.
Corrections and public-safety records
Arizona Prison, Jail and Registered Offender Searches
A criminal court case is different from a prison record, booking record or offender registry listing. Use the appropriate agency for the record type.
Arizona Department of Corrections
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) provides an inmate data search.
Its information may include correctional identifiers, custody information and reported release details. ADCRR warns that certain release dates and release types have not been audited and may change.
Open Official Arizona Inmate SearchArizona Sex Offender Registry
Arizona DPS maintains the state’s public sex offender information service under A.R.S. § 13-3827.
The official DPS page links users to its designated OffenderWatch search and provides county-level registration contacts.
Open Arizona DPS Registry InformationWhat about county jail records?
County jail custody is usually handled through the appropriate sheriff’s office. A person booked into a county jail may not appear in the ADCRR state-prison search.
If you need a recent booking or custody record, identify the arresting agency and detention facility. Then use the appropriate county sheriff’s official website or records office.
Sealed and restricted court records
Arizona Criminal Record Sealing: Why a Case May Be Hidden
Arizona allows eligible individuals to petition to seal certain criminal case records under A.R.S. § 13-911.
The Arizona Judicial Branch explains that the sealing process became available beginning December 31, 2022, and may apply to eligible records associated with arrests, charges and convictions.
What sealing can affect
Depending on the order and applicable law, sealing may affect eligible records maintained by courts, law-enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the DPS Central State Repository.
What sealing does not automatically affect
Arizona’s Judicial Branch states that the A.R.S. § 13-911 sealing procedure does not extend to records in the Arizona Supreme Court or Court of Appeals.
A petition may be necessary for each separate qualifying case or arrest incident, depending on the circumstances and whether cases were consolidated.
A sealing order also does not guarantee the removal of every historic copy that was previously published by an outside website.
Sealing Criminal Case Records
Use this official resource for statutory guidance, petitions, eligibility instructions and information on the effects of a sealing order.
Read Arizona Record Sealing GuidanceResolve common search problems
Why Can’t I Find an Arizona Criminal Court Record Online?
Several Arizona-specific issues can explain a missing or incomplete result.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| No case appears in statewide Public Access | Nonparticipating court, weekly update delay or incorrect search fields | Search the local court directly and verify the court’s participation |
| Superior Court felony not found | Case may remain in a Justice Court preliminary stage or be in another county | Check the originating court and subsequent Superior Court filings |
| Misdemeanor document missing in eAccess | Justice and Municipal Court documents are not included in eAccess | Contact the local limited-jurisdiction court |
| Older Pima County criminal document missing | Pima criminal eAccess coverage begins July 1, 2015 | Use the Pima County Clerk’s records-request process |
| Other older Superior Court records not displayed | Outside the July 1, 2010 eAccess eligibility period or another access restriction | Ask the filing county Clerk for archived records |
| Court date differs from statewide portal | Public Access data is refreshed weekly | Contact the court directly and follow official hearing instructions |
| A specific minute entry cannot be found | Older date, nonparticipating court or an entry unavailable online | Contact the Superior Court Clerk and request the available document |
| Sealed or juvenile case missing | Applicable confidentiality or access rules | Ask the appropriate official custodian about lawful access |
| Federal criminal case not found | Federal cases are in a separate judiciary system | Search PACER for the District of Arizona |
Technical support for Arizona case access
The Arizona Judicial Branch lists the following eAccess support contact:
AOC Support Center
Phone: 602-452-3519
Toll-free: 1-800-720-7743
Email: pasupport@courts.az.gov
Published hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m., excluding Arizona state holidays.
For a particular criminal case or certified document, contact the actual court Clerk rather than technical support.
Separate federal jurisdiction
Federal Criminal Court Records in Arizona
Federal criminal cases in Arizona are generally filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.
These cases are separate from Arizona Superior Court, Justice Court and Municipal Court records.
U.S. District Court — District of Arizona
Official information on federal court divisions, case procedures and federal court records.
Open District of ArizonaPACER Federal Case Search
Search available federal criminal case dockets and documents. Registration and applicable access fees may be required.
Open PACERIf the federal court is unknown, PACER also provides a national Case Locator. Federal and Arizona state searches should be performed separately when both jurisdictions are relevant.
Responsible use of public records
Can Arizona Criminal Court Records Be Used for Background Screening?
Public court records are useful for understanding specific legal proceedings, but they should not automatically be treated as a complete, identity-confirmed background report.
Before relying on a case result
- Verify the correct person using lawful identifiers.
- Confirm the court and case number.
- Read the final disposition.
- Distinguish an arrest or charge from a conviction.
- Look for subsequent amendments, appeals or sealing orders.
- Use certified documents for official purposes.
For employment, housing or licensing
The Fair Credit Reporting Act and other laws may impose requirements when criminal-history information is used for certain eligibility decisions.
Use a legally authorized screening process rather than assuming a public docket, registry record or name match meets all applicable requirements.
For employer obligations, see the Federal Trade Commission’s official background-check guidance.
Answers to high-intent searches
Arizona Criminal Court Records Search FAQs
1. How do I search Arizona criminal court records online?
Use the Arizona Judicial Branch’s Public Access to Court Case Information website. Search by name or case number, select the court if known, review matching cases and verify consequential information with the filing court.
2. Is Arizona criminal court case lookup free?
Yes. The Arizona Judicial Branch offers a free public case-information lookup for participating courts. Downloading full Superior Court documents through eAccess may require a purchase or subscription.
3. Does Arizona have a statewide criminal court records search?
Arizona offers a statewide Public Access case-information search covering participating courts. Its published coverage is 177 of 184 courts. It is not a complete criminal-history background check and does not contain every case.
4. How do I search Arizona criminal records by name?
Open the statewide Public Access portal, enter the required last name, add a first name and any accurate optional identifying details, and use the court filter if known. Compare multiple details before assuming a matching record identifies the correct person.
5. Where can I search Arizona felony criminal cases?
Arizona Superior Courts generally handle felony criminal prosecutions. Use the statewide Public Access index or the local Superior Court docket, then contact the Clerk of Superior Court for official records.
6. Where can I find Arizona criminal court minute entries?
The Arizona Judicial Branch’s Public Access service includes a minute-entry search for eligible criminal records from participating Superior Courts. The published online coverage begins with qualifying entries recorded on or after January 1, 2010.
7. How much does Arizona eAccess charge for criminal court documents?
The official eAccess FAQs list $10 for a pay-as-you-go document download, with a free first-page preview. Electronically certified documents have separate published charges, including $45 for pay-as-you-go users and $35 for recurring subscribers.
8. Why are older Pima County criminal records missing from eAccess?
Arizona eAccess lists Pima County criminal case document coverage beginning July 1, 2015. Its general eligibility date for other Superior Court criminal records is July 1, 2010. Contact the Pima County Clerk for older records.
9. Can I get an Arizona criminal background check from DPS?
Arizona DPS restricts criminal-history repository access to legally authorized uses. Individuals may review and challenge their own Arizona criminal-history records through the DPS personal-review process, but the repository is not an unrestricted public people-search service.
10. Why can’t I find my Arizona criminal case online?
The filing court may not participate in the statewide index, a weekly update may not yet be reflected, the case may use a different number or name, or the information may be sealed, confidential, outside the portal’s date range or held by a different court. Contact the filing court for verification.
Official government resources
Arizona Criminal Court Records: Official Links
The following resources provide the official services and policies explained in this guide.
- Arizona Judicial Branch — Public Access to Court Case Information
- Arizona Courts Locator — Superior, Justice and Municipal Courts
- Arizona eAccess — Superior Court Criminal Documents
- Arizona eAccess — Coverage, Access and Fee FAQs
- Arizona Judicial Branch — Superior Court Clerks Directory
- Maricopa County Superior Court — Criminal Case Search
- Maricopa County Clerk — Obtaining Court Records
- Pima County Clerk of Superior Court — Case Records
- Arizona DPS — Criminal History Records
- Arizona DPS — Public Services Portal
- Arizona Department of Corrections — Inmate Data Search
- Arizona DPS — Sex Offender Registry Information
- Arizona Judicial Branch — Sealing Criminal Case Records
- United States District Court — District of Arizona
- PACER — Federal Court Case Search