Find DUI Records in Tempe

DUI records in Tempe are held by the city court and police department. Tempe sits in the heart of the Phoenix metro area and is home to Arizona State University. The city handles thousands of DUI cases each year through its municipal court system. You can search Tempe DUI records online through the court case portal or request arrest records from the police department. Most misdemeanor DUI charges stay in Tempe City Court. Felony DUI cases go to Maricopa County Superior Court. This guide shows you where to find Tempe DUI records and how to get them.

Tempe City Court DUI Records

Tempe City Court handles misdemeanor DUI cases for arrests made within city limits. Standard DUI, extreme DUI, and super extreme DUI charges go through this court. The court is located at 140 East 5th Street in downtown Tempe. You can visit in person or use the online tools to find case information.

The Tempe City Court website has details on court hours, procedures, and contact info. Call (480) 350-8271 to speak with court staff about DUI records or case questions. The clerk's office can help you find cases and request copies of court documents.

For online case searches, Tempe offers a dedicated portal. The Tempe Court Case Information system lets you look up DUI cases by defendant name or case number. This free tool shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes for DUI matters in Tempe City Court.

The case search works for both active and closed cases. You can see the charges filed, any plea agreements, and the final disposition of Tempe DUI cases through this portal.

Tempe DUI Court Process

A DUI arrest in Tempe starts with police. The officer files charges with the court. The defendant gets a citation with a court date or appears for an initial hearing after booking. Tempe City Court then schedules the case through the criminal court process.

DUI cases in Tempe follow Arizona law. Under A.R.S. Section 28-1381, standard DUI applies at 0.08 percent BAC or when impaired to the slightest degree. Extreme DUI under A.R.S. Section 28-1382 covers BAC from 0.15 to 0.199 percent. Super extreme DUI applies at 0.20 percent or higher. All of these misdemeanor charges go through Tempe City Court when the arrest happens in city limits.

Cases that become felonies move to a different court. Aggravated DUI under A.R.S. Section 28-1383 goes to Maricopa County Superior Court. This includes third offense DUI within eighty-four months, DUI with a suspended license, DUI with a child in the vehicle, or wrong-way DUI. If a Tempe DUI case gets elevated to felony status, the records transfer to the county court system.

Tempe Police DUI Arrest Records

The Tempe Police Department makes DUI arrests throughout the city. They maintain records of all arrests, incident reports, and booking information. Police records differ from court records. They show what happened during the arrest rather than the court case outcome.

Tempe uses the JustFOIA system for public records requests. The Tempe Police Records Portal lets you submit requests online for DUI arrest reports, incident records, and other police documents. You create an account, fill out your request, and track its progress through the system.

Request processing takes a few days for simple requests. Complex requests or those needing review may take longer. You can call the police records unit at (480) 350-8588 for questions about your request or fees.

Note: DUI accident reports may need extra processing time due to the criminal case connection.

Tempe DUI Records and ASU

Tempe is home to Arizona State University, one of the largest universities in the country. The student population affects DUI patterns in the city. Many DUI arrests happen near Mill Avenue and other entertainment areas close to campus. ASU has its own police department, but most DUI arrests on city streets go through Tempe Police.

ASU Police handle incidents on university property. Those arrests create separate records in the ASU system. DUI charges still go through Tempe City Court or a county court depending on where the arrest happened and the charge level. If you are looking for a DUI arrest that happened near ASU, check both Tempe Police and ASU Police records to make sure you find the right one.

Young drivers face additional rules in Arizona. Underage DUI has a zero tolerance standard. Any detectable alcohol in a driver under twenty-one can lead to charges. These cases also go through Tempe City Court for arrests within the city.

Tempe DUI Record Fees

Getting copies of DUI records in Tempe costs money. Court records have one set of fees. Police records have different fees. Knowing the costs helps you plan your request.

Court record copies cost fifty cents per page at Tempe City Court. This is the standard rate across Arizona municipal courts. Certified copies cost more, typically seventeen dollars per document. You may need certified copies for legal matters or background checks. Regular copies work fine for personal reference.

Police record fees vary based on the request. Basic reports may cost five to ten dollars. Requests that require research or review of large files may have higher fees. The JustFOIA system will show you the fee estimate before you pay. Payment happens online through the portal.

Sealing Tempe DUI Records

Arizona allows record sealing for some criminal cases. A.R.S. Section 13-911 lets people petition to seal eligible records. This law took effect January 1, 2023. Sealed records still exist but most public searches will not find them.

To seal a Tempe DUI record, you file a petition in the court that handled your case. For misdemeanor DUI, that means Tempe City Court. You must have completed your entire sentence first. This includes jail time, fines, probation, classes, and interlock requirements. Wait times apply based on the charge. Most misdemeanor DUI cases require waiting two to three years after finishing all requirements.

The Arizona Courts Self Service Center has forms and instructions. A judge reviews each petition. Not every case qualifies for sealing. The outcome depends on your specific situation and criminal history.

How to Get Tempe DUI Records

You have several options for getting DUI records in Tempe. Online is the fastest method for most requests. In person works when you need help or want records the same day.

For court records, start with the online case search at courtcaseinfo.tempe.gov. Find the case you need. Note the case number. Then request copies from the court clerk. You can do this by calling (480) 350-8271 or visiting the court at 140 East 5th Street. Bring identification and the case number. Pay the copy fees and get your documents.

For police records, use the JustFOIA portal. Create an account. Submit your request with as much detail as possible. Include names, dates, and any case or incident numbers you have. The more info you give, the faster staff can find your records. You will get an email when your request is ready. Pay online and download your files.

DUI Records in Nearby Cities

Tempe borders several other cities in the Phoenix metro area. DUI arrests near city lines might be handled by a neighboring jurisdiction. If you cannot find records in Tempe, check these nearby cities.

Maricopa County DUI Resources

Tempe is part of Maricopa County. The county handles felony DUI cases from Tempe and provides additional resources for record searches. The Maricopa County Superior Court has its own online docket for criminal cases. The county sheriff maintains jail records for people booked on DUI charges.

If a Tempe DUI case moved to Superior Court, search the Maricopa County criminal case search. You can also check the justice court case search for cases that went through a Maricopa County justice court instead of Tempe City Court.

The Maricopa County Sheriff inmate search shows current and recent bookings. This helps you find someone currently in custody on DUI charges or see recent booking information for a Tempe arrest that resulted in county jail time.