Graham County DUI Case Records

Graham County DUI records are held at the courthouse in Safford. This rural county in southeast Arizona handles DUI cases through its Superior Court and justice court system. You can search for DUI case files at the Clerk of the Superior Court or request arrest records from the Graham County Sheriff's Office. The county seat is Safford, where all court matters take place. Most DUI stops in Graham County happen on US Route 70 or state highways that run through the area. Both state and local law enforcement make DUI arrests here, and those records end up in the county system.

Graham County Clerk of Superior Court DUI Records

The Clerk of the Superior Court is the main source for Graham County DUI court records. This office keeps all case files. They have records of charges, court dates, pleas, and final outcomes. You can visit in person or call to ask about a case. The clerk's office sits in the Graham County Courthouse in downtown Safford.

The Graham County Clerk of the Superior Court handles record requests for all criminal cases including DUI matters. Staff can help you look up case numbers if you know the defendant's name. They can tell you if a case is open or closed. You can also find out the outcome of DUI cases that went through the Graham County court system. Felony DUI cases, such as third offenses within eighty-four months or aggravated DUI charges under A.R.S. 28-1383, are handled at Superior Court level.

The clerk's office can provide copies of court documents. Fees match state standards.

To get copies of Graham County DUI records from the clerk, you will need basic case information. A defendant name works best. A case number is even better if you have it. The office charges fifty cents per page for copies. Certified copies cost thirty-five dollars per document. You may need certified copies if you plan to use the records for legal purposes or in another court. Call ahead to check if your records are ready for pickup. The staff can also mail copies to you if you cannot come to Safford in person. Processing times vary based on how busy the office is.

Graham County Sheriff DUI Arrest Records

The Graham County Sheriff's Office handles DUI arrests in unincorporated areas of the county. Deputies patrol rural roads and highways where DUI stops often occur. When the sheriff makes a DUI arrest, they create an arrest report that goes into the county system. These records are separate from court records but related to them.

You can contact the Graham County Sheriff's Office to request arrest records and incident reports for DUI cases. The sheriff maintains booking records and jail information too. If someone was held at the Graham County jail after a DUI arrest, those records exist in the sheriff's system. Arrest records show the date and time of the stop, what the officer observed, and any test results from the scene. They may include field sobriety test notes and preliminary breath test readings.

Sheriff records tell a different part of the story than court records do. Court records show what happened in legal proceedings. Sheriff records show what happened on the road. Both matter if you want a complete picture of a Graham County DUI case. The Arizona Department of Public Safety also patrols state highways in Graham County. DPS troopers make DUI arrests here too. Those arrest records go through DPS, not the county sheriff. If you cannot find a record with the sheriff, try the state DPS records system.

Arizona DUI Laws in Graham County

Graham County courts follow state DUI laws. Arizona has strict rules on drunk driving. A standard DUI under A.R.S. 28-1381 means having a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more. But Arizona also has an "impaired to the slightest degree" rule. This means you can get a DUI even with a lower BAC if the officer thinks your driving was affected.

Extreme DUI is a step up. Under A.R.S. 28-1382, a BAC of 0.15 or higher counts as extreme DUI in Graham County and all of Arizona. Super extreme DUI applies when BAC reaches 0.20 or above. Penalties get worse at each level. Jail time, fines, and license suspension all increase. Graham County judges have some discretion in sentencing but must follow state minimums for DUI convictions.

First offense DUI is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This is the most serious misdemeanor level in Arizona. Graham County justice court handles most first and second offense DUI cases since they stay at misdemeanor level. The justice court in Safford sees these cases regularly despite the county's smaller population.

How to Access Graham County DUI Case Files

Getting DUI records in Graham County takes a few steps. First, decide what type of record you need. Court records come from the clerk. Arrest records come from the sheriff. Driving records with DUI points come from the Arizona MVD. Each source has its own process.

For court records, start at the Graham County Clerk of Superior Court. You can visit the office at 800 W. Main Street in Safford. The office is open on weekdays during business hours. You can also call ahead to ask about a specific case. If you know the case number, lookup is faster. If you only have a name, staff can search their system. Be ready to pay copy fees if you want documents.

Graham County does not have an online case search portal like larger counties do. You cannot look up DUI cases from home on a county website. This means in-person visits or phone calls are your main options. You can also mail a written request to the clerk's office. Include as much detail as you can about the case you seek. The statewide Arizona Courts Public Access system may have some Graham County case information, but coverage varies for smaller counties.

Note: Arizona law allows sealing of some criminal records under A.R.S. 13-911, which took effect in late 2022.

Graham County DUI Record Fees

Fees for Graham County DUI records follow standard rates across Arizona courts. Copy fees are set by state rules. The clerk charges fifty cents per page for uncertified copies of court documents. If you need a certified copy, add thirty-five dollars per document on top of the page fees. Certified copies have an official seal and signature.

Sheriff record fees vary. Contact the Graham County Sheriff's Office directly to ask about costs for arrest reports and incident records. Most police agencies charge between five and fifteen dollars for standard reports. Complex requests may cost more. Research fees can apply if you ask staff to search without providing specific case details.

Graham County DUI Court Process

A DUI case in Graham County follows a standard path through the court system. After arrest, the defendant gets a court date. Misdemeanor DUI cases go to justice court first. The judge hears the charges and takes a plea. Most DUI cases in Graham County end with plea agreements rather than trials. The record shows what happened at each step along the way, from first appearance through sentencing or dismissal.

Aggravated DUI cases go to Superior Court in Graham County. These are felony charges. Third offense DUI within seven years is one example. DUI with a child in the car is another. Driving drunk on a suspended license also makes it aggravated. These serious cases have more court hearings and longer records. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all filings for these felony DUI matters.

After a case closes, records stay in the system. Arizona does not expunge criminal records. A person convicted of DUI in Graham County can petition for a set-aside order. This does not erase the record. It adds a note that the conviction was set aside. The original DUI record remains visible to anyone who searches for it.

License suspension happens through the Arizona MVD, not the court. Admin per se rules under A.R.S. 28-1385 trigger automatic suspension after a DUI arrest. This is separate from court penalties. The ninety-day suspension starts even before the court case finishes. MVD records track these suspensions. Graham County court records track the criminal side of the case.

Graham County Legal Resources

Finding legal help for DUI matters in Graham County can take some effort. The county has fewer lawyers than urban areas. Most attorneys in Safford handle general criminal defense including DUI cases. The Arizona State Bar has a lawyer referral service that covers Graham County. Legal aid organizations serve the area too, though eligibility rules apply for free help.

The Graham County courts can provide basic information about DUI cases but cannot give legal advice. Court staff can tell you how to file motions or request records. They cannot tell you what to do in your case. For questions about DUI law or how to fight charges, you need a licensed attorney. The Arizona Courts Self Service Center website has forms and guides that apply statewide, including Graham County.

Nearby Arizona Counties

DUI cases near county borders may involve courts in neighboring counties. Graham County sits in southeast Arizona with several neighbors. If you cannot find records in Graham County, check these nearby areas. The arrest location determines which county handles the case.