Pinal County Public Records /Pinal County Criminal Records

Pinal County Criminal Records

What Is Pinal County Criminal Records

Pinal County criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Pinal County, Arizona. These records are maintained pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, which establishes the framework for public records in the state. Criminal records encompass a comprehensive collection of documentation generated throughout the criminal justice process.

Criminal records in Pinal County typically include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes an individual into custody, including booking information, charges, and mugshots
Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges filed, court appearances, plea agreements, and trial outcomes
Conviction Records: Records of guilty verdicts or plea agreements resulting in criminal convictions
Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in county jail facilities

It is important to distinguish between arrest and conviction records. Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody but do not indicate guilt, while conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.

Criminal records also differentiate between:

Felonies: More serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by minors, which are generally sealed and not accessible to the public

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Pinal County:

Pinal County Sheriff's Office
971 Jason Lopez Circle
Florence, AZ 85132
520-866-5111
Pinal County Sheriff's Office

Pinal County Superior Court
971 Jason Lopez Circle, Building A
Florence, AZ 85132
520-866-5300
Pinal County Superior Court

Arizona Department of Public Safety
2102 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
602-223-2000
Arizona Department of Public Safety

Are Criminal Records Public In Pinal County

Criminal records in Pinal County are generally considered public information under Arizona's Public Records Law, A.R.S. § 39-121, which states: "Public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours." This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are accessible to the public.

The Arizona Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this law to favor disclosure, as noted in their ruling in Carlson v. Pima County, which affirmed that "the officer has the burden of overcoming the legal presumption favoring disclosure."

However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:

Ongoing investigations: Active law enforcement investigations are typically exempt from disclosure until the investigation concludes
Sealed records: Court-ordered sealed records, including those expunged under A.R.S. § 13-911, are removed from public access
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to offenders under 18 years of age are generally confidential per A.R.S. § 8-208
Victim information: Personal identifying information of crime victims may be redacted
Grand jury proceedings: These remain confidential by law

Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and basic arrest information are typically available to the public. The Pinal County Superior Court maintains a public access terminal where members of the public may search court records during regular business hours. Additionally, certain records are accessible through online portals maintained by the county and state agencies.

Law enforcement agencies and courts in Pinal County must balance the public's right to access information with privacy protections established under state and federal law. When requesting criminal records, members of the public may encounter redactions or restrictions based on these legal considerations.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Pinal County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Pinal County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides both in-person and online options for conducting criminal record searches.

For in-person requests at the Pinal County Superior Court:

Visit the Clerk of the Superior Court during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
Present valid government-issued photo identification
Pay applicable search and copy fees
Wait for staff to retrieve the requested records

Pinal County Clerk of the Superior Court
971 Jason Lopez Circle, Building A
Florence, AZ 85132
520-866-5300
Pinal County Clerk of the Superior Court

For criminal history reports from law enforcement:

Visit the Pinal County Sheriff's Office Records Division
Complete a criminal history request form
Provide subject identification information and purpose of request
Present valid identification
Pay the required processing fee
Allow 5-10 business days for processing

Pinal County Sheriff's Office Records Division
971 Jason Lopez Circle
Florence, AZ 85132
520-866-5111
Pinal County Sheriff's Office

For statewide criminal history information:

Submit a request to the Arizona Department of Public Safety
Complete the required application form
Provide fingerprints if requesting a full criminal history check
Pay the applicable fee
Allow 2-3 weeks for processing

Arizona Department of Public Safety Criminal History Records
2102 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
602-223-2222
Arizona Department of Public Safety

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1750, the Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains the central state repository of criminal history information and provides access to authorized entities and individuals.

How To Find Criminal Records in Pinal County Online?

Pinal County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of information may vary by system.

The primary online resources include:

Pinal County Superior Court Public Access
The Superior Court maintains an online case lookup system that allows users to search for criminal cases by name, case number, or filing date. This system includes:

Case information and status
Scheduled hearings
Party information
Case documents (some may require in-person viewing)
Judgment and sentencing information

Access this system through the Pinal County Superior Court Public Access portal.

Pinal County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup
The Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster that provides:

Inmate name and booking photo
Current charges
Booking date
Bond information
Scheduled release date (when applicable)

This information is available through the Pinal County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search.

Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access
The state court system offers a comprehensive case search that includes Pinal County cases:

Criminal and civil case information
Case calendars
Party information
Case documents (some may require fees)

This system can be accessed through the Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access portal.

Arizona Department of Public Safety Records
For statewide criminal history information, the Arizona Department of Public Safety offers an online request system:

Requires registration and account creation
Fees apply for searches
Results include statewide criminal history information

Access this system through the Arizona Department of Public Safety Records Request portal.

When using these online systems, users should note:

Some systems require registration or account creation
Certain detailed records may only be available through in-person requests
Fees may apply for comprehensive searches or document copies
Information is updated according to varying schedules
Not all case documents are available electronically

Can You Search Pinal County Criminal Records for Free?

Pinal County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without charge, though certain limitations apply. Arizona's Public Records Law, A.R.S. § 39-121, establishes the right to inspect public records during regular business hours, though agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies or extensive searches.

Free in-person inspection options include:

Pinal County Superior Court Public Access Terminal
971 Jason Lopez Circle, Building A
Florence, AZ 85132
520-866-5300
Pinal County Superior Court

Available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
No charge for basic case information searches
Copy fees apply ($0.50 per page)
No appointment necessary

Pinal County Justice Courts
Multiple locations throughout the county

Misdemeanor and lower-level criminal cases
Free public terminal access during business hours
Copy fees apply

Free online resources include:

Pinal County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup: Provides current jail population information at no cost
Pinal County Superior Court Case Search: Basic case information available without charge
Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access: Limited information available without registration

While inspection of records is generally free, users should be aware of the following potential costs:

Document copies: $0.50-$1.00 per page
Certification of documents: $30.00 per document
Research fees: May apply for extensive searches requiring staff assistance
Comprehensive background checks: Fees apply for official criminal history reports

The Arizona Department of Public Safety charges fees for official criminal history reports pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1750(G)(1), which authorizes the department to "establish and collect fees for copies of department reports, eight-by-ten-inch black and white photographs or eight-by-ten-inch color photographs of traffic accident scenes."

What's Included in a Pinal County Criminal Record?

Pinal County criminal records typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized pursuant to Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order 2017-15, which establishes uniform court record keeping requirements.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest
Probable cause statement
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility information

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction
Judge assigned
Formal charges filed by prosecutor
Statute citations and offense classifications
Felony or misdemeanor designation
Plea entered
Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
Court appearance dates
Motions filed and rulings

Disposition Information:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment, classes)
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history references

Criminal records maintained by the Pinal County Sheriff's Office may contain additional law enforcement information, while court records focus primarily on case proceedings and outcomes. The level of detail available to the public may vary based on case status, security classifications, and applicable privacy laws.

How Long Does Pinal County Keep Criminal Records?

Pinal County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records division, as mandated by A.R.S. § 41-151.12. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.

The retention periods for various criminal records in Pinal County include:

Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for homicide cases; 75 years from case closure for sexual offenses; 50 years from case closure for other felonies
Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years from case closure for most misdemeanors; 25 years for domestic violence cases
Traffic Violations: 5 years from case closure for criminal traffic; 3 years for civil traffic
Arrest Records: 25 years from date of arrest
Booking Records: 10 years from date of booking
Jail Records: 7 years after inmate release
Investigation Reports: 25 years from case closure for felonies; 7 years for misdemeanors
Criminal History Records: Maintained permanently in the state repository
Juvenile Records: Until age 18 for most offenses; longer for serious offenses
Court Dockets and Indexes: Permanent retention
Probation Records: 5 years after probation completion

These retention periods ensure that records remain available for legitimate public safety, law enforcement, and judicial purposes. The Arizona Judicial Records Retention Schedule provides detailed guidance for court records, while law enforcement agencies follow schedules established by the Arizona State Library.

It is important to note that even after the retention period expires, information about serious offenses may remain in various databases and background check systems. Additionally, news reports and other public information sources may contain information about criminal cases indefinitely.

Individuals seeking to limit access to their criminal records may be eligible for expungement, sealing, or setting aside of convictions under specific circumstances outlined in A.R.S. § 13-911. These processes can restrict public access to certain records but typically require court approval.