Phoenix DUI Records Search

Phoenix DUI records are kept by two main sources in the city. The Phoenix Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases that start with city police. The Phoenix Police Department holds arrest reports and incident files for every DUI stop they make. As the state capital and largest city in Arizona, Phoenix sees more DUI arrests than any other city. Most cases stay in municipal court unless charges get elevated to felony level. Felony DUI cases go to Maricopa County Superior Court instead of city court. You can search Phoenix DUI records through online portals or by submitting requests directly to each agency.

Phoenix Municipal Court DUI Cases

The Phoenix Municipal Court processes thousands of DUI cases each year. This court handles all misdemeanor charges from Phoenix Police arrests. First and second DUI offenses typically stay here. Extreme DUI charges with blood alcohol between 0.15 and 0.20 also go through municipal court when they remain misdemeanors. The court is located at 300 West Washington Street in downtown Phoenix.

You can learn about court services and locations through the Phoenix Municipal Court main page. The site lists court hours, contact numbers, and basic information about how cases move through the system. Phoenix court staff can answer questions about pending DUI cases by phone at (602) 262-6421 during business hours.

The court building is open Monday through Friday. Arraignments happen daily for new DUI arrests. Most people appear in court within 24 hours of arrest if they do not post bail.

Phoenix Municipal Court does not expunge DUI records. Arizona law does not allow expungement of criminal convictions. However, you may petition to seal certain records under A.R.S. Section 13-911. This became available in late 2022. Sealed records still exist but are hidden from most public searches. The court can explain eligibility requirements for sealing a DUI conviction in Phoenix.

Phoenix Court Self-Service Portal

The Phoenix Court self-service portal lets you look up case information online. This system works around the clock. You can search by name, case number, or citation number to find DUI records. The portal shows case status, scheduled court dates, and basic charge information. Results include both open and closed cases from Phoenix Municipal Court.

The online search is free. It provides more detail than many city court systems in Arizona. You can see fine amounts, payment status, and whether warrants exist on a case. For DUI cases, the portal shows the specific charges filed and any amendments made during prosecution.

Getting full documents requires a formal records request. The online portal shows summaries but not complete case files. If you need copies of police reports, witness statements, or other documents filed in a Phoenix DUI case, you must submit a request to the court clerk. Copies cost fifty cents per page. Certified copies cost seventeen dollars per document. The court processes most requests within five to ten business days depending on the size of the file you need.

Phoenix Police DUI Arrest Records

Phoenix Police maintain separate records from the court. Their files include arrest reports, field sobriety test notes, breath or blood test results, and officer narratives. These records tell the full story of what happened during a DUI stop. Court records often summarize this information, but police files contain the raw data.

The Phoenix Police public records page explains how to request DUI arrest information. The department handles requests through a dedicated records unit. You can reach them at (602) 534-1127 for questions about the process. Staff can tell you what records exist for a specific arrest and estimate how long your request will take.

Police report fees vary based on the size of the file. Most standard DUI reports cost between five and fifteen dollars.

Phoenix Police Records Request Portal

Phoenix offers an online portal for submitting police record requests. The Phoenix Public Safety portal handles requests for both police and fire department records. You create an account, submit your request details, and track progress online. This system works better than mailing forms for most people.

The portal asks for specific information about the records you need. For DUI cases, you should provide the arrest date, location, and names of people involved if you know them. Case numbers help staff find records faster. The more details you give, the quicker your request gets processed. Phoenix Police receive many requests each day, so being specific saves time for everyone.

Response times depend on request volume and complexity. Simple requests for a single DUI report might come back in a few days. Large requests covering multiple incidents take longer. The portal sends email updates when your records are ready. You can download documents directly once they are processed. Payment happens through the portal using a credit card. The system calculates fees based on page counts and any special services you request.

Note: DUI reports involving ongoing investigations may be partially redacted or delayed until the case concludes.

Phoenix DUI Case Classifications

Phoenix police arrest people under several different DUI charges based on circumstances. Standard DUI under A.R.S. Section 28-1381 applies when blood alcohol reaches 0.08 or higher. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Officers can also charge DUI if they believe someone is impaired to the slightest degree, even below 0.08.

Extreme DUI charges apply when blood alcohol reaches 0.15. Super extreme DUI kicks in at 0.20 and above. Both remain misdemeanors but carry heavier penalties than standard DUI. These cases still go through Phoenix Municipal Court for prosecution. The charges appear on public records with their specific classification.

Aggravated DUI becomes a felony. This happens when someone has a third DUI within eighty-four months, drives on a suspended license, has a child under fifteen in the vehicle, or drives the wrong way on a highway. Felony cases leave Phoenix Municipal Court and transfer to Maricopa County Superior Court. Records for those cases appear in the county system rather than city court databases. You would search the Maricopa County criminal case search to find aggravated DUI records that started in Phoenix.

Phoenix DUI Record Access Rights

Arizona public records law gives everyone the right to inspect government documents. A.R.S. Section 39-121 establishes this right. DUI records from Phoenix courts and police fall under this law. You do not need to explain why you want records. The city cannot deny access based on your reasons for asking.

Some information gets redacted from public records. Social security numbers, victim information in certain cases, and details about minors are typically removed. Medical records related to blood draws may have limited availability. The records unit reviews each request and removes protected information before releasing documents.

You can request your own DUI records or records about other people. Background checks often require this type of search. Employers, landlords, and others frequently look up DUI history through these public systems. The records exist permanently unless sealed through the court petition process allowed under Arizona law.

Phoenix DUI Record Copy Fees

Phoenix Municipal Court charges standard fees for record copies:

• Regular copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: $17 per document
• Research fee: $17 if staff must search for records
• Audio recordings: Fees vary by length

Police record fees differ from court fees. Phoenix Police set their own rates for arrest reports and related documents. Most reports cost between five and fifteen dollars. Large files with many pages cost more. The records unit calculates exact fees when they process your request.

Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit cards for most requests. The online portals accept electronic payments only. In-person requests at the court or police department can use any accepted method. Fees must be paid before records are released.

Phoenix and Maricopa County DUI Records

Phoenix sits entirely within Maricopa County. This creates overlap in DUI record keeping. City police make arrests, but the county jail often holds people after booking. Municipal court handles misdemeanors, but Superior Court takes felonies. Understanding which agency has the records you need saves time.

For most first or second DUI offenses in Phoenix, start with city resources. Phoenix Municipal Court and Phoenix Police handle these cases completely. The county becomes involved mainly for jail booking and release processing. Those records appear in the Maricopa County Sheriff inmate system even when Phoenix made the arrest.

Felony DUI cases require county searches. Once charges escalate to aggravated DUI, the case moves to county jurisdiction. Phoenix records will show the initial arrest but not the final case outcome. You need to search Maricopa County Superior Court records to see how felony cases from Phoenix resolved.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Several other large cities surround Phoenix in the metro area. Each has its own municipal court and police department handling DUI cases. If you cannot find records in Phoenix, the arrest may have occurred in a neighboring city jurisdiction.