What Is a Criminal Record in Arizona?
Criminal records in Arizona are official documents detailing the criminal activities of individuals convicted of crimes within the state. An individual’s criminal records describe the events around their convictions. These include details of their arrests, indictments, dispositions, and convictions. Documents describing these events are available from law enforcement agencies, courts, and detention facilities at all levels in the state. Find out more information about Arizona Criminal Records Check, Arizona Department of Justice, Search, Public Access, and much more.
What Is Contained in an Arizona Criminal Record?
The information providing in an Arizona criminal record include:
- The convict’s full name and known aliases
- Age/Birthdate, sex, race, and other identifying personal information
- The subject’s mugshot and fingerprints
- Past and current criminal offenses and indictments
- Past and outstanding arrest warrants
- Conviction and inmate records
What are Arizona Arrest Records?
In Arizona, arrest records are official law enforcement documents describing the apprehensions and detentions of individuals alleged to commit crimes. Arrest records do not indicate culpability or admission to the felonies and/or misdemeanors they describe. They only provide proof that the named individuals were brought in for questioning and possibly detained afterward. An Arizona arrest record contains the following information:
- The name, sex, date of birth, and other identifying information of the arrested individual
- Where and when the arrest took place
- The offense responsible for the arrest
- Name of the arresting officer
- State or local detention facility where the arrestee was booked
What Is an Arizona Arrest Warrant?
An Arizona arrest warrant is a court-issued document authorizing a law enforcement officer to detain an individual. To obtain arrest warrants, law enforcement officers must demonstrate probable cause before judges (magistrate judges). An arrest warrant must have the signature of the authorizing judge. Note that Arizona law enforcement officers may arrest individuals without warrants for ongoing crimes they witnessed.
The information available in an Arizona arrest warrant include:
- Arrestee’s full name and other identifying personal information
- Alleged offense
- Possible location and time of the arrest
- Date of expiration
- Name of issuer and date of issue
What are Arizona Misdemeanors?
In Arizona, misdemeanors are minor offenses punishable by up to 6 months in a county or local jail. There are three classes of misdemeanors in the state.
- Class 1 misdemeanors are punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500. Prostitution is an example of a Class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona
- Class 2 misdemeanors are punished by up to 4 months in jail and a fine up to $750. An example of a Class 2 misdemeanor is intentionally exposing someone to a sexually transmitted disease
- Class 3 misdemeanors are punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $500. This is the least serious criminal offense in Arizona. Asking an adult to buy, sell, or give you alcohol if you are under the age of 21 is a Class 3 misdemeanor in Arizona.
What are Arizona Felonies?
Arizona classifies crimes punishable by one year or longer in state prisons are felonies. There are six felony classes in the state.
- Class 1 felonies are punishable by 16 years to life in prison. The only Class 1 felonies in Arizona are first- and second-degree murder. Second-degree murder is punishable by up to 16 years in jail while first-degree murder is punishable by death or life imprisonment
- Class 2 felonies are punishable by 5 years (presumptive term) and 12.5 years (aggravated term) in prison. Producing child pornography is a Class 2 felony
- Class 3 felonies are punishable by 3.5 years (presumptive term) and 8.75 years (aggravated term) in prison. An example is growing 4 or more pounds of marijuana
- Class 4 felonies are punishable by 2.5 years (presumptive term) and 3.75 years (aggravated term) in prison. Stealing property valued between $3,000 and $4,000 is Class 4 felony in Arizona
- Class 5 felonies are felonies Arizona lawmakers have not classified. Pimping and pandering are also Class 5 felonies. The presumptive term for a Class 5 felony is 2 years while the aggravated term is 2.5 years
- Class 6 felonies are punishable by 1 year (presumptive term) and 2 years (aggravated term) in prison. In Arizona, judges can re-designated a Class 6 felony conviction as a Class 1 misdemeanor conviction
What is a Serious Traffic Violation?
Speeding, failure to stop for a traffic signal, reckless driving, and driving under the influence (DUI) are examples of serious traffic violations in Arizona. Arizona has civil and criminal traffic violations and each of these add a specific point to the offender’s driving record.
Civil traffic violations in Arizona include:
- Speeding – 3 points
- Failure to stop for a sign or traffic signal – 4 points
- Failure to yield the right of way – 4 points
- Driving over/parking in a gore area – 3 points
- Following another vehicle too closely – 2 points
Examples of criminal traffic violations include:
- DUI – 8 points and immediate license suspension plus jail time of no less than 10 days, community service, and a minimum fine of $1,250
- Extreme DUI – 8 points and immediate license revocation plus jail time of no less than 90 days, community service, and a minimum fine of $3,000
- Reckless driving – 8 points and possible license suspension
- Aggressive driving – 8 points and suspension of license for 30 days
- Hit-and-run – 6 points and immediate license revocation
- Any moving violation resulting in death – 6 points, license revocation for 3 years, and possible jail time
What are Conviction Records?
Arizona courts produce conviction records after trials finding individuals guilty of the charges brought against them. In Arizona, juries and judges render convictions. Conviction records are official court documents that provide details of the indictments, pleas, hearings, and sentencing of individuals involved charged with criminal felonies and misdemeanors.
What is Jail and Inmate Records
Arizona inmate and jail records are official documents providing details of inmates incarcerated in state prisons and county jails in the state. The Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) oversees the operations of 10 state-run prisons and six private prisons. The records of inmates held in these facilities are maintained by the ADC. To find an inmate in an Arizona state or private prison, use the Inmate Datasearch tool provided on the ADC website.