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Phoenix Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Phoenix, Arizona?

Arrest records are public documents in Phoenix, Arizona, pursuant to the Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. § 39-121). This statute establishes that all government records, including arrest documentation, shall be available for inspection by members of the public during regular office hours. The Arizona Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should remain accessible to maintain transparency in law enforcement operations and judicial proceedings.

The Phoenix Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Public access to arrest information serves multiple governmental purposes, including:

Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
Providing transparency in the criminal justice system
Allowing citizens to remain informed about public safety matters
Supporting constitutional rights to information about government activities

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted under specific exemptions outlined in A.R.S. § 39-121.03, particularly when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy rights protected by state or federal law.

How to Access Phoenix Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Phoenix may utilize several official channels established by municipal and state authorities. The Arizona Department of Public Safety serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide, while the Phoenix Police Department maintains jurisdiction-specific arrest data.

Authorized methods for obtaining arrest records include:

Online Public Records Portal: The Phoenix Police Public Records portal provides digital access to arrest reports and related documentation. Requestors must create an account and submit specific information about the desired records.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may appear at the designated records office to submit requests during established business hours.

Phoenix Police Department Public Records and Services Unit
1717 E. Grant Street, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-534-1127
Phoenix Police Public Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Written Correspondence: Standard mail requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the arrest record sought, and applicable processing fees.
Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through:

Phoenix Municipal Court
300 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-262-6421
Phoenix Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.03, agencies may charge reasonable fees for reproduction of records. Current fee schedules are published on the respective agency websites and are subject to periodic revision by administrative action.

Contents of a Phoenix Arrest Record

Official arrest records maintained by Phoenix law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Arizona Administrative Code R13-1-402. These records serve as the official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in custodial arrest. Standard components include:

Full legal name and documented aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Statutory citation and narrative description of the alleged offense(s)
Identifying information of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking details, including unique booking identification number
Biometric data, including fingerprints and booking photographs
Demographic information, including date of birth, physical descriptors, and residential address
Custody status and bail determination
Case disposition information, when available

The Phoenix Police Department maintains these records in accordance with departmental policy 4.6, which establishes retention schedules pursuant to Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records requirements. Records related to felony arrests are maintained for a minimum of 99 years, while misdemeanor arrest records are retained for at least 25 years from the date of arrest.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, Arizona law establishes specific limitations on access and dissemination. The Phoenix Police Department must adhere to these statutory restrictions when processing public records requests.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-4051, certain information may be redacted or withheld, including:

Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Juvenile arrest records, except as specified in A.R.S. § 8-208
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records sealed by court order
Information protected by federal regulations, including HIPAA-protected medical data
Victim information as protected under A.R.S. § 13-4434

Government agencies processing requests for arrest records must balance public access rights against these statutory protections. Requestors may appeal denied requests through administrative procedures established by the respective agency or through judicial review as provided in A.R.S. § 39-121.02.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Phoenix

Arizona law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Effective January 1, 2023, A.R.S. § 13-911 established expanded provisions for sealing criminal records, replacing the previous "set aside" process with a more comprehensive remedy.

Individuals may petition for expungement when:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The conviction was vacated or reversed on appeal
The individual received a full pardon
The conviction qualifies under statutory provisions for expungement based on offense classification and time elapsed

The petition process requires submission of formal documentation to:

Maricopa County Superior Court
201 W. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-506-3204
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Petitioners must provide certified copies of relevant court documents, including disposition records and evidence of completed sentencing requirements. The court conducts a review to determine eligibility under A.R.S. § 13-911 through § 13-914, considering factors including:

Nature and severity of the original offense
Time elapsed since arrest or conviction
Subsequent criminal history
Evidence of rehabilitation
Public safety considerations

When granted, expungement orders direct all relevant agencies to seal records from public access, though certain government entities retain limited access for specified purposes under A.R.S. § 13-911(F).

Consequences of Arrest Records in Phoenix

Arrest records, even without resulting convictions, may have significant implications for individuals. The Phoenix Municipal Court and other judicial entities maintain these records in accordance with statutory requirements, making them potentially accessible to various parties.

Areas potentially affected by arrest record disclosure include:

Employment opportunities, particularly in positions requiring background checks
Housing applications, as landlords may conduct criminal history screening
Professional licensing through regulatory boards
Educational enrollment and financial aid eligibility
Immigration status and proceedings
Firearm purchase eligibility under federal and state regulations
Credit and financial service applications

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) establishes federal limitations on the reporting of arrest records by consumer reporting agencies, generally prohibiting reporting of arrest records older than seven years. However, these restrictions do not apply to certain employment scenarios or to direct public records access.

Arizona's "Ban the Box" Executive Order 2017-07 prohibits state agencies from inquiring about criminal history on initial job applications, though private employers remain unaffected by this directive.