La Paz County DUI Case Records

La Paz County DUI records are held at the Superior Court in Parker. This is one of the least populated counties in Arizona, with fewer than 20,000 residents spread across a large desert region along the Colorado River. DUI cases here go through the county court system, with the Clerk of the Superior Court keeping all case files. You can search for DUI records by contacting the clerk's office or using the county's online tools. The La Paz County Sheriff's Office also keeps arrest records and booking data for DUI stops made in unincorporated areas of the county. Most DUI cases in La Paz County are misdemeanors, but repeat offenses or crashes that cause harm can lead to felony charges handled at the Superior Court level.

La Paz County Superior Court DUI Records

The Superior Court handles all felony DUI cases in La Paz County. It also takes on misdemeanor appeals. The court sits in Parker and serves the entire county. If someone gets charged with aggravated DUI or has a third offense within seven years, the case goes here. The clerk's office keeps records of all filings, court dates, and case outcomes.

You can find La Paz County Superior Court information and case records through the La Paz Superior Court Clerk website. The site offers contact details and office hours for in-person visits. Staff can help you look up DUI cases by defendant name or case number. The clerk maintains files going back many years, so even old DUI cases can be found with the right search details.

The clerk's office is open on weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome. Bring as much info as you have about the case you want to find. A name and rough date range helps a lot.

La Paz County DUI Public Records Requests

Arizona law gives the public the right to view most government records. This includes DUI case files, arrest reports, and court documents. La Paz County has a portal where you can submit records requests online. You fill out a form, describe what you need, and the county responds within a set time. The La Paz County Public Records Request portal is the place to start for any county records that are not held by the court itself.

For DUI arrest records from the sheriff, use this portal. It covers incident reports, booking records, and other law enforcement documents. Court records are separate. You ask the clerk for those. The county tries to respond to requests quickly, but some requests take longer if they involve a lot of documents or need review for privacy reasons.

Note: Some records may be redacted or withheld if they contain protected information under Arizona law.

Arizona DUI Laws in La Paz County

La Paz County follows the same DUI laws as the rest of Arizona. The state has strict rules for drunk driving. A blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher counts as DUI for most drivers. Commercial drivers face a lower limit of 0.04%. Anyone under 21 cannot have any alcohol in their system while driving.

Standard DUI charges fall under A.R.S. 28-1381, which makes it a crime to drive while impaired to the slightest degree. Even if your blood alcohol is below the legal limit, you can still face charges if an officer thinks alcohol or drugs affected your driving. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona. Extreme DUI charges apply when blood alcohol reaches 0.15% or higher, as defined in A.R.S. 28-1382. Super extreme DUI kicks in at 0.20% or above. These carry stiffer fines and longer jail time.

Aggravated DUI is a felony. Under A.R.S. 28-1383, you face felony charges if you commit DUI while your license is suspended, if you have two prior DUI convictions within 84 months, if a child under 15 is in the car, or if you drive the wrong way on a highway. These cases go to Superior Court in La Paz County rather than justice court.

Sealing La Paz County DUI Records

Arizona now allows some people to seal their criminal records, including DUI convictions. This option became available at the end of 2022 under A.R.S. 13-911. If you qualify, you can petition the La Paz County Superior Court to seal your DUI record. This is not the same as expungement. The record still exists, but it gets hidden from most background checks and public searches.

Not everyone can seal their record. You must wait a set period after your sentence ends. The wait time depends on the type of DUI. Misdemeanor DUI usually has a shorter wait than felony aggravated DUI. You also cannot have any pending charges when you file. The court looks at your case history and decides whether to grant the petition. If approved, your La Paz County DUI record becomes sealed, though law enforcement and some employers can still see it.

La Paz County DUI Record Fees

Getting copies of DUI records in La Paz County costs money. The fees are set by state law and local rules. Court record copies run fifty cents per page. This is standard across Arizona courts.

Certified copies cost more. If you need an official copy with the court seal for legal use, expect to pay around thirty-five dollars per document. This fee applies to each document you need certified. Some people need certified copies for job applications, professional licenses, or other legal matters. The clerk can tell you if a regular copy or certified copy fits your needs.

Sheriff's office records have their own fee schedule. Arrest reports and incident records may cost five to ten dollars. La Paz County uses the NCourt system for online court payments. You can pay fines and fees through this system if you have a case number.

How to Find DUI Records in La Paz County

Start with the court clerk if you know the case went through the court system. Bring the defendant's name, date of birth if you have it, and any case numbers. The clerk can search their database and pull up matching records. This works for both active and closed DUI cases. You can view records at the counter or request copies to take with you.

For arrest records that never went to court, or for police reports about DUI stops, contact the La Paz County Sheriff's Office. They handle DUI enforcement in unincorporated areas. The town of Parker has its own police, so DUI stops in town may have records with that department instead. Always check with the agency that made the arrest to find their records. Arizona's public records law under A.R.S. 39-121 gives you the right to ask for these records.

The statewide Arizona Public Access system at apps.azcourts.gov may also have La Paz County court cases. This free tool lets you search by name or case number. It shows basic case info but not full documents. For detailed records, you still need to go through the local clerk.

La Paz County DUI and Driving Records

DUI convictions show up on your driving record. The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division keeps these records separate from court files. If you get a DUI in La Paz County, it will appear on your MVD record along with any license suspensions or points. Employers and insurance companies often check these records.

The Admin Per Se suspension is automatic. If you fail or refuse a breath test during a DUI stop, the MVD suspends your license. This happens even before your court case is resolved. The suspension lasts ninety days for a first offense test failure or one year for a refusal. You can request a hearing to fight the suspension, but you must act fast. The deadline is usually fifteen days from the date of arrest.

To get your Arizona driving record, go to azmvdnow.gov or submit a request using MVD form 46-4416. The record shows all DUI entries, suspensions, and other driving history. This is useful if you need proof of your record status for court, work, or an attorney.

Nearby Arizona Counties

La Paz County borders several other Arizona counties. DUI cases near county lines may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction. If you cannot find records in La Paz County, check these nearby areas.