Search Arizona DUI Records
Arizona DUI records are public documents held by state and county courts throughout the state. These records show arrests, charges, and case outcomes for driving under the influence offenses. You can search DUI records in Arizona through court databases, law enforcement agencies, and the Motor Vehicle Division. Most Arizona DUI cases start at the city or justice court level. Felony DUI charges go to Superior Court. The state keeps driving records that show DUI convictions and license suspensions. This guide explains where to find DUI records in Arizona and how to access them.
Arizona DUI Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Arizona DUI Records
DUI records in Arizona exist in several places. The type of record you need determines where to look. Court records show the legal case details. Police records show arrest information. MVD records show license actions. Each source gives you different facts about a DUI case in Arizona.
Arizona courts handle DUI cases at three levels. Municipal courts and justice courts hear misdemeanor DUI cases. These include standard DUI, extreme DUI, and super extreme DUI charges. Superior Courts handle felony aggravated DUI cases. The Arizona Courts Public Access system lets you search case records from courts across the state. You can look up cases by name or case number. The system shows case status, charges, and hearing dates for DUI cases filed in Arizona.
This free tool covers most Arizona courts. It does not include all municipal courts. Some cities run their own court systems with separate databases.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety keeps criminal history records. This includes DUI arrests and convictions. You can request your own record for free through their Public Services Portal. Third parties need written consent to get someone else's record. DPS criminal history checks show arrests, charges, and dispositions across Arizona. This is a good way to see all DUI charges on a person's record in one place.
The DPS portal requires you to make an account. You will need to verify your identity. Once set up, you can run searches and get results online.
Arizona MVD DUI Records
The Motor Vehicle Division handles driver license records in Arizona. DUI convictions appear on your driving record. So do license suspensions from DUI arrests. MVD records are separate from court records. They focus on driving privileges rather than criminal charges. Many employers and insurance companies check MVD records to see DUI history.
You can get your own driving record through AZ MVD Now. The site offers several record types. A basic record costs about three dollars. A certified record costs five dollars. Records show convictions, points, and suspensions for DUI and other traffic offenses in Arizona. The MVD also processes Admin Per Se suspensions when someone fails or refuses a breath test during a DUI stop.
The AZ MVD Now site works for most record requests. You can also visit an MVD office in person or mail a request using Form 46-4416. The form is on the ADOT website. Mail requests take longer but work when you cannot use the online system.
Arizona DUI Laws and Classifications
Arizona has strict DUI laws. The state uses a tiered system based on blood alcohol content. Higher BAC levels mean more severe charges. Arizona also has an "impaired to the slightest degree" standard. This means you can face DUI charges even below 0.08 BAC if the officer believes alcohol affected your driving.
Under A.R.S. Section 28-1381, a standard DUI applies when someone drives with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. It also covers driving while impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol or drugs. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona. Penalties include jail time, fines, license suspension, and ignition interlock requirements. First offense DUI convictions stay on your record and affect future charges.
Extreme DUI applies at higher BAC levels. A.R.S. Section 28-1382 sets two thresholds. Extreme DUI covers BAC from 0.15 to 0.199 percent. Super extreme DUI covers BAC of 0.20 percent or higher. Both are Class 1 misdemeanors but carry harsher penalties than standard DUI. Jail time increases significantly for extreme and super extreme DUI convictions in Arizona.
The minimum jail time for extreme DUI is thirty days. Super extreme DUI requires at least forty-five days in jail. These are mandatory minimums that judges cannot reduce.
Aggravated DUI is a felony charge in Arizona. A.R.S. Section 28-1383 lists several situations that elevate DUI to a felony. These include a third DUI within eighty-four months, driving on a suspended or revoked license, having a child under fifteen in the vehicle, and driving the wrong way on a highway while impaired. Aggravated DUI is either a Class 4, 5, or 6 felony depending on the facts. Felony DUI cases go to Superior Court and result in state prison sentences.
How to Search DUI Court Records in Arizona
The Arizona eAccess system provides online access to court documents. This includes DUI case files from many Arizona courts. You can view filings, court minutes, and case documents through this portal. Some documents require a fee to access. The system covers Superior Courts and some limited jurisdiction courts across Arizona.
To search for DUI records on eAccess, you need basic case information. A name search works if you know who you are looking for. A case number search gives direct access to a specific file. The system shows criminal cases including all DUI charges filed in Arizona courts. Results display the case status and let you view available documents.
Municipal courts in major cities have their own search systems. Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and other large cities run separate court databases. You may need to search each city court separately to find all DUI records for someone who could have cases in multiple places. Check the city court website for the jurisdiction where the arrest happened. Most city courts list their online search tools and record request procedures.
In-person requests work at any courthouse. Go to the clerk's office in the court that handled the case. Bring the defendant's name and approximate date of the DUI charge. Staff can search their system and provide copies of court records. Fees vary by court. Most charge around fifty cents per page for copies.
Arizona DPS Criminal History Records
The Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains criminal history records for the state. DUI arrests and convictions from anywhere in Arizona appear in this database. A criminal history check shows more complete information than searching individual courts.
Getting your own record is free. You request it through the DPS Public Services Portal mentioned earlier. For someone else's record, you need their written consent on a notarized form. Employers often require applicants to get their own records and submit them as part of background checks. DUI convictions show up on these reports and can affect job opportunities.
The report includes arrest dates, charges, and case dispositions for all Arizona DUI incidents. It may also show out-of-state convictions that Arizona received through interstate data sharing. Criminal history records differ from court records because they compile information from multiple sources into one report.
Sealing Arizona DUI Records
Arizona does not expunge criminal records. This means DUI convictions never fully disappear. However, the state now allows record sealing under certain conditions. A.R.S. Section 13-911 took effect on January 1, 2023. It lets people petition to seal eligible criminal records including some DUI convictions.
Sealed records still exist but are hidden from most public searches. Courts, law enforcement, and certain employers can still see sealed records. The general public cannot access them. Sealing a DUI record requires completing all terms of the sentence. This includes jail time, probation, fines, classes, and any other court requirements.
The Arizona Courts Self Service Center has forms and instructions for record sealing. The process involves filing a petition in the court that handled your case. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it. Wait times before you can petition vary based on the offense type. Misdemeanor DUI typically requires waiting two to three years after completing your sentence.
Not all DUI convictions qualify for sealing. Some restrictions apply based on the charge and your criminal history.
Arizona DUI Record Fees
Fees for DUI records vary by source and record type. Court records have different costs than MVD records or police reports. Below are typical fees you may encounter when requesting Arizona DUI records.
Most Arizona courts charge fifty cents per page for copies of court documents. Certified copies cost more. Maricopa County charges thirty-five dollars per document for certification. Other counties have similar fees. Online access through eAccess may have fees to view or download certain documents. The Arizona Courts Public Access system is free to search but some detailed information requires payment.
MVD driving records cost three to five dollars depending on the type. Police reports and incident reports vary by agency. Many police departments charge five to ten dollars per report. Sheriff offices may have different fee structures. Pima County Sheriff charges five dollars base plus twenty-five cents per page over twenty pages. Always check with the specific agency for current fees.
Note: Fees change periodically so confirm current costs before submitting your request.
Key Facts About Arizona DUI Records
Arizona has specific rules that affect how DUI records work. Understanding these helps you know what to expect when searching for or dealing with DUI records in the state.
Arizona uses an eighty-four month lookback period for DUI offenses. This means prior DUI convictions within seven years affect sentencing on new charges. A second DUI within this window brings harsher penalties. A third DUI becomes a felony aggravated DUI charge. Courts check records going back eighty-four months when sentencing DUI cases in Arizona.
Some agencies retain DUI records longer than other crimes. Peoria and Yuma note that records for DUI and domestic violence stay available for eight years after final case resolution. Standard criminal records may only be available for five years. This extended retention means DUI records remain accessible longer than many other offense types.
Arizona's implied consent law affects drivers who refuse testing. Under the Admin Per Se program, refusing a breath or blood test triggers automatic license suspension. First refusal means one year suspension. A second refusal within eighty-four months brings two years. These administrative actions create their own records separate from any criminal DUI case.
DUI accident reports may not be available online in some jurisdictions. Pinal County and Gilbert note that crash reports involving DUI charges must be requested directly rather than downloaded from online portals. These reports need special handling due to the criminal case connection.
Browse Arizona DUI Records by County
Each Arizona county has its own court system and sheriff's office that handle DUI cases. Pick a county below to find local resources for DUI records in that area.
DUI Records in Major Arizona Cities
Residents of major cities can search DUI records through municipal courts and local police departments. Pick a city below to learn about DUI records in that area.