Tucson DUI Records Search

Tucson DUI records come from two main sources in this southern Arizona city. The Tucson City Court handles misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within city limits. The Tucson Police Department keeps arrest reports and incident files for all DUI stops they make. As the second largest city in Arizona, Tucson sees a high volume of DUI cases each year. Most charges stay at the city level unless they involve felony circumstances like a third offense or a crash with serious injuries. This page covers how to search for DUI records in Tucson and what you need to know about getting copies.

Tucson City Court DUI Case Records

The Tucson City Court processes misdemeanor DUI charges for arrests made within city limits. This includes standard DUI under A.R.S. 28-1381 as well as extreme DUI charges under A.R.S. 28-1382. The court sits in downtown Tucson and handles thousands of cases every year. DUI makes up a notable portion of their criminal docket given how common these charges are across Arizona.

You can learn more about the court and their procedures on the Tucson City Court website. The site explains how cases move through the system and what options defendants have. Court staff can answer questions about pending DUI matters over the phone. Call (520) 791-4216 to reach the court clerk. They can help you understand what records exist for a specific case and how to get copies. Hours run during normal business days.

The court charges fees for record copies. Standard copies run about fifty cents per page. Certified copies cost seventeen dollars per document. You need certified copies when using records for legal purposes or presenting them to other courts.

How to Get DUI Court Records in Tucson

Getting DUI records from Tucson City Court works through a few methods. The simplest way is to visit the court in person. Bring what you know about the case. A name and rough date helps staff find files quickly. They can search their system while you wait and tell you what documents are available. You pay for copies on the spot and walk out with the records you need.

Mail requests also work if you cannot make it downtown. Write to the court with your request details. Include the name of the person whose records you want and any case numbers you have. Add a check for the expected fees. Staff will process your request and mail back the documents. This takes longer than going in person, usually a week or two depending on how busy the office is at the time. Phone requests may work for simple questions, but actual copies typically need written requests or in-person visits.

The court keeps DUI records for years after a case closes. Arizona does not expunge criminal records. Even old DUI cases from Tucson remain in the system. You can request records from cases going back decades, though very old files may take longer to locate since they might be stored offsite or in archived formats that need pulling.

Tucson Police DUI Arrest Records

When Tucson Police make a DUI arrest, they create records separate from the court file. The incident report documents what happened during the stop. It includes the officer's observations, field sobriety test results, and reasons for the arrest. This report often matters more than court documents when you want the full story of what went down.

The Tucson Police public records request page explains how to get these reports. You submit a formal request through their system. The police records unit reviews what you need and gathers the documents. They redact certain information before release, like victim details or ongoing investigation material. Most DUI arrest reports come through without too much held back since these cases are straightforward criminal matters rather than sensitive investigations.

Contact the Tucson Police records unit at (520) 791-4462 with questions about requests. Staff can explain what they have available for a particular incident and give you timeline estimates.

Fees for police reports vary based on what you request. Simple incident reports cost less than requests requiring extensive file searches. The department charges per page for copies and may add research fees for complex requests that need staff time to compile.

DUI Case Process in Tucson

Understanding how DUI cases flow in Tucson helps you know where to look for records. The process starts with a traffic stop. An officer suspects impairment and conducts field tests. If they believe you are impaired, they make the arrest. You go to the county jail for booking even though Tucson Police made the arrest. The Pima County jail roster shows current bookings, including DUI arrests from Tucson.

After booking, the case goes to Tucson City Court for misdemeanors. First and second offense DUI charges stay at this level. Standard DUI means a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or above. Extreme DUI starts at 0.15 BAC. Super extreme DUI covers 0.20 and higher. All of these are Class 1 misdemeanors in Arizona, the most serious misdemeanor level. They still stay in city court rather than going up to Superior Court.

Felony charges are different. Third offense DUI within 84 months becomes aggravated DUI under A.R.S. 28-1383. DUI with a suspended license or DUI with a child passenger also count as felonies. These cases transfer to Pima County Superior Court. Records for felony DUI cases involving Tucson residents go through the county system rather than city court.

Related Tucson DUI Records Sources

Several other agencies hold records that connect to Tucson DUI cases. The Motor Vehicle Division tracks license suspensions. When you get a DUI in Tucson, MVD often suspends your license separately from any court action. This administrative suspension happens automatically in many cases. You can check your driving record through AZ MVD Now to see what shows up.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety keeps statewide criminal history records. A DUI conviction in Tucson appears on this record. You can request your own DPS record for free through their public services portal. Employers and landlords sometimes ask for these records during background checks. The DPS file shows all Arizona arrests and convictions, not just Tucson matters.

Court records also appear in the statewide Arizona Courts Public Access system. This database covers many courts across Arizona. Some municipal courts like Tucson City Court do not feed directly into this system, but Superior Court cases from Pima County appear there. Use this resource when searching for felony DUI records or cases from other jurisdictions.

Note: Records from the city court may not appear in statewide databases, so check both local and state level sources for complete results.

Sealing DUI Records in Tucson

Arizona lets people seal certain criminal records now. This changed at the end of 2022 when A.R.S. 13-911 took effect. Some DUI convictions can be sealed after you complete your sentence and wait the required time period. Misdemeanor DUI typically requires waiting two to three years after finishing all court requirements.

To seal a Tucson DUI record, you file a petition with the court that handled your case. For city court cases, that means Tucson City Court. For felony cases that went to Superior Court, you file in Pima County. The judge reviews your petition and decides whether to grant it. Sealed records stay hidden from most public searches and background checks. Law enforcement and certain government agencies can still see sealed records, but employers and landlords cannot.

The Arizona Courts record sealing page has forms and step by step instructions. Completing the packet takes effort. You need to gather case information and fill out multiple documents. Some people hire a lawyer to help. Others do it themselves using the court's self help resources.

Tucson and Pima County DUI Records

Tucson sits within Pima County. This matters for DUI records because the county handles certain cases and jail functions. When Tucson Police arrest someone for DUI, that person goes to the Pima County jail for processing. Jail records and booking information come from the sheriff's office, not Tucson city agencies.

Felony DUI cases bypass city court entirely. They go straight to Pima County Superior Court. The county clerk handles records for these cases. You would use the Pima County justice court search or contact the Superior Court clerk rather than Tucson City Court. Understanding which level handles your particular case helps you find records faster without wasting time asking the wrong office.

Arrest records for DUI incidents in unincorporated areas near Tucson come from the Pima County Sheriff rather than Tucson Police. The sheriff patrols areas outside city limits. Their DUI arrests create separate records through the county system. If you cannot find an arrest in Tucson Police records, check whether the stop happened just outside city boundaries where the sheriff has jurisdiction.