Criminal records in Pima County, Arizona, are accessible through several channels — online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. PimaCourt.us allows quick access to public information on county criminal cases. Additionally, the Arizona Judicial Branch portal, the Pima County Sheriff's Department, and the Clerk of the Board provide additional access points to public records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Pima
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this county. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Through PimaCourt.us
- Go to PimaCourt.us.
- Enter the full name of the person or the case number.
- Review the results — data on charges, case status, and court rulings.
To start a search, usually, the defendant's first and last name is sufficient. The case number or date of birth narrows the results.
Online through Official Portals
- State Portal: Public Access Case Lookup — a free tool from the Arizona Judicial Branch that covers Superior Court and Justice Court cases throughout the state, including Pima County.
- County Page: Superior & Justice Courts of Pima County — here you can find information on 53 judicial officers handling criminal, civil, and family cases.
- Justice Court Case Information: the Case Information page contains links and documents related to Justice Court.
- Inmate Registry: Inmate Lookup by the Sheriff's Department allows checking if a person is in custody at the Pima County Adult Detention Center.
In Person
The Clerk of the Superior Court office in Tucson has public terminals where you can view case materials. You need to present an ID and provide the defendant's name or case number. Justice Court also accepts visitors.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of the Board: submit a public records request through the GovQA system of Pima County.
- State-level Criminal History: The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the central repository. Requests for criminal records are limited — only authorized individuals and agencies have access. For employment checks, the employer submits a request through the DPS portal.
What is needed for the search:
- Full name (First Name, Last Name)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number — the most accurate method
Search Pima Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most reliable identifier in the Arizona court system. It eliminates confusion with namesakes and directly leads to the specific case.
The format of a case number in Arizona Superior Court usually looks like this:
- CR — case type prefix (CR means criminal case; other options: CV — civil, FJ — juvenile)
- Year — two-digit or four-digit year of case opening (e.g., 2024)
- Sequential number — a sequential number assigned by the court clerk's office
Example: CR20240012345 — a criminal case opened in 2024 with sequential number 12345.
In Justice Court, the format may differ slightly: it includes the code of the specific Justice Court precinct. If you do not know the exact number, start the search by name through the Public Access Case Lookup portal — the system will display all related cases, and you can copy the required number for further search.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Pima
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.), e.g., A.R.S. § 13-1203 — assault |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime, classes 1–6), Misdemeanor (offense, classes 1–3), Petty Offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case — new records appear as a separate line |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision yet
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are completed, the case is closed
Hearings
Types of hearings in Pima County criminal cases:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where the defendant hears the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (applies to felony).
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea agreement or prepare for trial.
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea.
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with probation or other obligations.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict (prosecutor withdrew charges or court dismissed the case) |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court or jury decision |
| Pled Guilty / No Contest | The defendant pleaded guilty or did not contest the charges |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Pima
Certified copies of criminal records have the court's official seal and are accepted as legal evidence. A regular printout from an online portal does not have such power.
Where to Apply
- Clerk of the Superior Court, Pima County — issues certified copies of court documents for Superior Court cases.
- Justice Court — for cases heard in Justice Court (misdemeanor, traffic, civil traffic).
- Arizona DPS — to obtain an official state-level criminal history. Access is limited: authorization or fingerprinting is required.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person: visit the Clerk of the Superior Court office. Bring a valid photo ID.
- Online: a public records request can be submitted through the GovQA system of Pima County.
- By Mail: send a written request to the court clerk's office specifying the case number, defendant's name, and document type. Include payment (check or money order).
What is Needed
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Case number or defendant's full name
- Payment of the certification fee
Clerk of the Superior Court — Pima County
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Pima
Fees for copies and certification are set according to Arizona Superior Court rules and may be periodically reviewed. Confirm current amounts with the clerk's office before payment.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 | Standard rate of the Clerk of the Superior Court |
| Document certification | $26.00 | Per document with court seal |
| Criminal history check through DPS (fingerprint-based) | Depends on the type of check | Employers and licensing agencies submit requests through the DPS portal |
Processing Time
- Online Search: results appear instantly via Public Access Case Lookup.
- Certified Copies In Person: usually issued the same day or the next business day.
- Mail Requests: 5 to 15 business days depending on complexity.
- Criminal History through DPS: times vary; fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks.
Payment is accepted by check, money order, or credit card (for in-person requests). Confirm acceptable payment methods for mail requests with the court clerk's office.