Arrest records in Cochise County, Arizona are considered public documents pursuant to Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. § 39-121). These records are maintained by government agencies including the Cochise County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of the Superior Court as part of their official duties. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:
The Arizona Public Records Law establishes that public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours. This statutory provision applies to arrest records maintained by Cochise County law enforcement agencies, subject only to specific exemptions provided by law.
Cochise County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. The Sheriff's Office Public Information portal maintains current inmate information and mugshots for individuals in custody. Additionally, the Arizona Judicial Branch offers a Public Access Case Lookup system where members of the public may search court cases related to arrests.
Online access to these records is governed by A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1), which requires custodians of public records to:
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office updates their online inmate database regularly, typically within 24-48 hours of booking. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records in accordance with privacy protections under A.R.S. § 39-123 and § 39-124.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Cochise County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
Cochise County Sheriff's Office
205 N Judd Drive
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: (520) 432-9500
Hours: Monday-Tuesday 8am-4pm, Wednesday 8-11:30am
Official Website
Individuals may submit requests in person during regular business hours. The Sheriff's Office maintains a public terminal for record searches, and staff can assist with locating specific arrest information. A valid government-issued photo identification is required for all in-person requests.
Clerk of the Superior Court
100 Quality Hill Road
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: (520) 432-8600
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Official Website
The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Pursuant to Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123, these records are available for public inspection unless sealed by court order.
Online Access Options:
Written Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division of the Cochise County Sheriff's Office. Requests must include:
Fees for copies of arrest records are established pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.03 and are subject to change. As of 2025, standard fees include $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Arrest records maintained by Cochise County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information as required by Arizona Administrative Code R13-1-402:
Certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with A.R.S. § 13-4434 (victim information), § 8-807 (juvenile records), and § 13-4401 (information that might compromise ongoing investigations).
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for a minimum of seven years pursuant to Arizona's records retention schedule. Court records related to arrests are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court and may be retained permanently depending on case type and disposition.
Arizona law provides mechanisms for the sealing and setting aside of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Effective January 1, 2023, A.R.S. § 13-911 established a process for sealing criminal records, replacing the previous "set aside" provision with a more comprehensive remedy.
Individuals seeking to seal arrest records in Cochise County must file a petition with the Superior Court where the case was adjudicated. The petition form must be completed in accordance with A.R.S. § 13-911 requirements.
Eligibility criteria for sealing arrest records include:
The sealing process requires:
If granted, a sealing order prohibits the disclosure of the existence of an arrest, charge, adjudication, conviction, or sentence to anyone for any purpose except as authorized by statute. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records for limited purposes specified in A.R.S. § 13-911(J).
The Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains a Records Request portal for individuals seeking to review their criminal history information prior to filing a sealing petition.