Arizona Criminal Records

What are Arizona Criminal Records? Arizona criminal records, also called a "criminal history record" in the state, outline the criminal acts of convicted crimes. Most rap sheets include arrests, indictments, dispositions, and offenses. The statewide law enforcement, courts, and detention institutions have documents detailing these incidents.

Can you get copies of these criminal records in Arizona? According to the Arizona Public Records Law, all documents about a person's criminal history must be available to the public. However, they are only accessible to a handful of state-authorized entities. Individuals may request and inspect their records, but these records are not accessible to unapproved third parties or authorities.

The Criminal History Records Section of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS) acts as the state's Central State Repository for criminal records under Arizona Revised Statute 41-1750.

Note that the state law in Arizona suggests that the Central State Repository can't check criminal records for private people or agencies outside of Arizona for employment, immigration, getting a visa, or adopting a child from another country.

When you get these criminal records in Arizona, it will include the following information:

• The offender's complete name
• Crime(s) committed and laws infringed
• Case number
• Physical characteristics (race, height, eye and hair colors, tattoos, etc.)
• Birth date
• The offender's mugshot and fingerprints
• Pending costs
• Past and current arrest warrants
• Inmate records
• Charges acquitted or dismissed

In Arizona, most of the criminal records include the following charges:

Felonies

As in most states, felonies in Arizona are crimes for which you could spend a year or more in state prison. There are six classes of state felonies, with Class 1 being the most serious and Class 6 being the least serious.

In Arizona, felony offenses include but are not limited to the following:

• Property theft
• Aggravated assault
• Murder
• Sexual crimes
• Drug charges

The most prevalent felonies in Arizona are burglary, aggravated assault, and extreme DUIs. A class 6 "open" felony, also known as a class 6 undesignated felony, is a crime that can be a misdemeanor.

Like in most states, Arizona felony records provide information about the accused and the offense, not the victims. Included information are the following:

• Offender's name, residence, age, and place of work
• Police statements, witness testimony, and evidence
• Bail set
• Plea
• Trial type with judge's name
• Inflicted sentence

How long does a felony stay on record in Arizona? Due to Arizona's strict sentencing regulations, most felony convictions will remain until you reach the age of 99.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors in Arizona are either class 1, 2, or 3. If an Arizona misdemeanor doesn't claim what class it is, it is a class 2 misdemeanor by default. The most common misdemeanors in Arizona are:

• Driving on a suspended license
• DUI
• Assault
• Criminal damage (damages under $1000)
• Theft (value stolen under $1000)
• Interference with judicial proceedings
• False reporting to law enforcement
• Like in most states, a misdemeanor record in Arizona may include the following information:
• Plea
• Court appearances
• Sentence details
• The court's magistrate or judge's decision

How long does an Arizona misdemeanor sit on a person's record? Arizona law dictates that it will retain your criminal history record containing misdemeanor offenses for 99 years or one year after the subject dies.

Criminal Driving Violations

There are two main types of traffic violations in Arizona: moving violations and parking violations. The moving violations are more severe and have harsher penalties. These traffic offenses are misdemeanors or felony convictions on a driver's criminal record.

The most frequent criminal traffic violations in Arizona, varying from misdemeanors to felonies, are as follows:

• Attempting to dodge or escape law enforcement
• Driving with a suspended or invalid license
• DUI
• Extreme DUI
• Super Extreme DUI
• Commercial Driving (CDL) violations
• Racing
• Reckless driving
• Vehicular manslaughter
• Hit and run accidents

Your criminal traffic record in Arizona may include the following information:

• The offender's name
• The specific criminal traffic violation
• Any penalties imposed
• If the person concluded their sentence

How long does an Arizona criminal driving violation remain on a person's record? In Arizona, these convictions can be misdemeanors and felonies. Thus, it stays on your record until you are 99 years old.

Sexual Offenses

Sexual assault allegations in Arizona may often result in significant jail terms and registration as a sexual offender. In Arizona, the following are the most frequently prosecuted sexual offenses:

Sexual Assault

A person commits this crime if they purposefully or consciously engage in sexual intercourse or oral sexual activity without the other person's consent. It is a felony of the second class with an obligatory minimum jail sentence.

Sexual Abuse

This crime occurs when someone consciously or knowingly engages in sexual activity with someone 15 or older without their consent or with female breasts under 15. It carries a class 3 or 5 felony penalty.

Sexual Misconduct

If a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional engages in sexual activity with clients under their care or supervision, state law may impose charges on these experts. This crime is a felony of the sixth class.

Violent Sexual Assault

A person may be prosecuted for this crime if committing sexual abuse, sexual activity with a child, or sexual assault and:

• Employ a lethal weapon during the conduct of the crime, or
• Has a prior conviction for another sex crime and deliberately or knowingly causes significant bodily harm to the victim.

The Arizona Sex Offender Registry of the Department of Public Safety supplies the public with information about convicted sex offenders to protect the public and prevent future incidents. The following details are available in the Arizona sex offenses record:

• The name and picture of a criminal offender
• The offender's physical location and address
• The offender's landlord's name
• The number and address of any post office box used by the offender
• All suspect aliases
• Offender's fingerprints
• Employment or enrolment at a public or private tertiary institution

How long are Arizona sexual offense records kept? Convicted sex crimes in Arizona must register on the state's registry. Unless the offender was under 18 when the incident occurred, sex offender registration is permanent.

Does your criminal record negatively impact your life? If so, you may be entitled to have your convictions set aside according to Arizona statute ARS 13-905. A set aside order is the equivalent of expungement in Arizona.

Although a complete expungement procedure is not accessible in Arizona, there are several advantages to removing felony or misdemeanor convictions from your file, including the ability to move on from your criminal record and increased employment opportunities. Plus, it may also reinstate your firearms privileges automatically.

In Arizona, eligibility for a set-aside conviction under ARS 13-905 depends on:

• If your sentence is complete
• Whether your offense is in ARS 13-905 as a disqualified conviction
• Other considerations that a judge must see under the Arizona law

You may petition a set aside order to these offenses—from felonies to misdemeanors—. However, you must hold off on requesting this for two years if you have been convicted of two or more crimes or received a jail term.

It will be helpful if you hire a lawyer first. The procedure might be challenging; therefore, having a skilled criminal attorney on your side is beneficial. You may also visit the Arizona courts assistance webpage. It has information for finding forms, courts, and relevant resources.

Note that certain convictions prohibit the set-aside orders. Listed below are the circumstances in which a set aside may deem impossible:

• Dangerous offenses
• Crimes requiring registration as a sexual offender
• Offenses with a sexual intent
• Crimes whose victim(s) are less than 15 years of age
• Certain traffic violations
• Infractions resulting in significant physical injury
• Driving crimes committed with a revoked or suspended license

Inmate records in Arizona consist of documents, forms, and extensive information regarding those detained in the Arizona correctional system.

The Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry keeps and stores records about people who are in prison. They have a central database that anyone can look through. But prisoners in the system are not permitted to look at the records of other prisoners.

You can also use an Arizona online inmate finding tool. Most of the time, a free inmate search by name will reveal information on those condemned to state prison institutions. Lastly, you may visit the Sheriff's Office website to see the county jail inmates' inmate roster.

Arizona inmate records may contain the following:

• Arrest warrants
• Criminal charges
• Court papers
• Sentencing
• Mug shots
• Inmate prison reports

In an online Arizona inmate record, you will find the following:

• The inmate's name
• Present location and details regarding their crimes
• Mugshot
• Inmate ID
• Date of birth
• Date of admission
• Sex
• Height, weight, eye color, hair color, and race
• Custody class
• Predicted release date
• Sentence
• Parole,
• Participation in labor programs

Arizona arrest records describe apprehensions and detentions of suspected crimes. It does not reflect responsibility or admit to the felonies they depict. They show that the people named were asked questions and possibly held.

A court-issued arrest warrant in Arizona authorizes police to hold a person. Police must show probable cause to Arizona courts (magistrate judges) to get arrest warrants.

A warrant must have the judge's signature to be valid. However, Arizona law enforcement officials can perform warrantless arrests for ongoing crimes they see. Once the arrest occurs, booking begins along with the official police record.

Booking is taking the suspect and inputting his or her personal information into the agency's computers. It is also when evidence gets entered into the system with a connection to the official police record made.

Which state agency maintains the majority of the arrest records? Local law enforcement agencies in Arizona compile arrest records for the courts and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

According to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1750, arrest records are available to the public in the state. So, interested individuals can conduct an arrest search by contacting their local law enforcement agencies. Getting copies of public arrest records may not cost much regarding printing costs.

What is in the arrest record? Arizona arrest records include the following:

• The arrested individual's name, sex, date of birth, and other personal details
• Place and date of arrest
• Arrest-causing crime
• Officer's name
• State or local booking facility

Commonly, a person is interested in getting an Arizona criminal record for job hunting. Before recruiting, many companies and enterprises do comprehensive background checks. As authorized by Arizona law, background checks often include collecting criminal history information.

To have a copy of your official criminal record, you must complete the Record Review Packet from the ADPS, which is possible by contacting the Criminal History Records Section at (602) 223-2222.

You will need to provide personal information about yourself and take your fingerprints at a law enforcement agency to verify your identification. If your packet has all of the essential information, the department will issue you a response within 15 days of receiving it.

In addition, sheriff's agencies and police departments in Arizona have access to local criminal records. You may contact the local law enforcement department to get criminal records in person or via mail.

Also, courts in Arizona offer internet portals with access to criminal case records. The Arizona Judicial Branch offers a case search tool for people who want a free search. However, not every court in the state contributes to this database.