Yavapai County Criminal Records
What Is Yavapai County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Yavapai County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-1750, criminal records encompass a comprehensive collection of information related to arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions of criminal cases.
Criminal records in Yavapai County are categorized according to several important distinctions:
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Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense. It is important to note that an arrest does not necessarily result in a conviction.
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Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year.
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Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 years and older are generally accessible to the public, whereas juvenile records (for those under 18) are typically sealed and confidential under Arizona Revised Statutes § 8-208, with limited exceptions.
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Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Yavapai County:
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office
255 E. Gurley Street
Prescott, AZ 86301
(928) 771-3260
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.
Yavapai County Superior Court
120 S. Cortez Street
Prescott, AZ 86303
(928) 771-3312
Yavapai County Superior Court
The Superior Court maintains case files, court proceedings, judgments, and sentencing information.
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2102 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
(602) 223-2000
Arizona Department of Public Safety
The Department serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide.
Criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing decisions, and probation or parole information. These records provide a chronological history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in Yavapai County.
Are Criminal Records Public In Yavapai County
Criminal records in Yavapai County are generally considered public information under Arizona's Public Records Law, specifically Arizona Revised Statutes § 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 the landmark case Carlson v. Pima County (1987), which established that "records are presumed open to the public unless specifically made confidential by statute."
However, important exceptions and limitations to public access exist:
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Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
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Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public. This commonly occurs with certain juvenile records, cases involving vulnerable victims, or records that have been expunged.
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Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 8-208, records involving minors are generally confidential and not available for public inspection, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
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Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted from public records to protect privacy interests, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain medical information.
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Restricted Access Records: Some records may have restricted access based on statutory provisions, such as those related to victims of domestic violence or sexual offenses.
Adult conviction records and court proceedings are typically fully accessible to the public, while pre-conviction records (such as arrest records) may have more limited availability depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and the nature of the information.
The Yavapai County Superior Court and other county agencies maintain public access terminals where members of the public may inspect publicly available criminal records during regular business hours. Additionally, certain records are available through online portals, though these may provide more limited information than what is available through in-person inspection.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Yavapai County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Yavapai County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information and requiring specific procedures.
For in-person requests at the Yavapai 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 public records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay applicable copy fees ($0.50 per page for standard copies).
- Allow time for staff to retrieve the requested records.
Yavapai County Clerk of Superior Court
120 S. Cortez Street
Prescott, AZ 86303
(928) 771-3312
Yavapai County Clerk of Superior Court
For written requests by mail:
- Submit a formal written request to the appropriate agency (Court Clerk, Sheriff's Office, or local police department).
- Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), approximate date of incident or case number.
- Specify the exact records being requested.
- Provide return contact information and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Include payment for applicable fees (contact the specific agency for current fee schedule).
For requests to the Arizona Department of Public Safety:
- Complete the official Criminal History Records Request Form.
- Include a fingerprint card if requesting a comprehensive background check.
- Provide payment of the required fee ($20 for name-based searches, $25 for fingerprint-based searches).
- Submit the completed form and payment to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Criminal History Records Unit
P.O. Box 6638
Phoenix, AZ 85005
(602) 223-2222
Arizona Department of Public Safety
For court case information, requestors may also utilize the Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access to Court Case Information portal, which provides basic case information for Superior Court cases throughout Arizona, including Yavapai County.
Individuals seeking certified copies of court records must make their request in person or by mail to the Clerk of the Superior Court and pay additional certification fees.
How To Find Criminal Records in Yavapai County Online?
Yavapai County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital portals provide convenient access to various types of criminal justice data, though the scope and depth of information may vary by platform.
The primary online resources include:
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Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search: This database allows users to search for current inmates in the Yavapai County Detention Center. The inmate search portal provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and scheduled court dates for individuals currently in custody. Users can search by name or booking number.
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Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access: The Arizona Judicial Branch's case lookup system provides access to Superior Court case information statewide, including Yavapai County cases. This system includes:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Party names and attorney information
- Charges filed
- Hearing schedules
- Case status and disposition information
- Document indexes (though actual documents may require in-person requests)
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Arizona Department of Public Safety Records Portal: The DPS Public Services Portal allows users to request various records, including accident reports and certain criminal history information. Some requests may require verification of identity or legal right to access.
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Yavapai County Justice Courts Online Case Search: Individual Justice Courts within Yavapai County may offer online case search capabilities for misdemeanor cases and citations handled at the Justice Court level.
Important considerations when using online record systems:
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Registration requirements vary by system. Some portals allow anonymous searching, while others require user accounts with verified information.
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The information available online is often limited compared to records available through in-person requests. Court documents, detailed arrest reports, and complete case files typically require in-person requests.
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Online records may not include expunged, sealed, or juvenile records, which are generally not available to the public.
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Information is typically updated on a regular schedule but may not reflect real-time changes to case status.
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Some specialized records, such as detailed criminal history reports for employment background checks, require formal requests through the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Criminal History Records section and cannot be accessed through public online portals.
Users encountering difficulties with online systems may contact the respective agency's records division for assistance with alternative access methods.
Can You Search Yavapai County Criminal Records for Free?
Arizona law provides for public inspection of criminal records at no cost, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121.01(D)(1), "The custodian of such records shall promptly furnish such copies, printouts or photographs and may charge a fee if the facilities for producing such copies, printouts or photographs are available."
Members of the public may inspect criminal records free of charge at the following locations:
Yavapai County Superior Court
120 S. Cortez Street
Prescott, AZ 86303
(928) 771-3312
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office
255 E. Gurley Street
Prescott, AZ 86301
(928) 771-3260
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Several free online resources are available for accessing basic criminal record information:
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Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search: This free database provides information on currently incarcerated individuals, including charges, booking dates, and bond information. No registration or fees are required to access this information.
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Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access: The statewide court case lookup system offers free access to basic case information for Superior Court cases, including criminal matters. This system provides case numbers, party names, charges, hearing dates, and case status information at no cost.
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Yavapai County Justice Court Records: Basic case information for misdemeanor cases handled by Justice Courts may be available through free online portals specific to each Justice Court within the county.
While inspection of records is free, fees apply for copies and certified documents:
- Standard photocopies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $30.00 for first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Criminal history reports from Arizona DPS: $20.00 for name-based searches
Certain specialized searches or comprehensive background checks may incur additional fees, particularly when fingerprint verification is required. Additionally, commercial background check services that aggregate criminal record information typically charge subscription or per-search fees.
What's Included in a Yavapai County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Yavapai County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records varies depending on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case, but generally includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- 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
- Initial charges filed
- Bail/bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
- Arrest narrative (may be redacted in public versions)
Court Case Information:
- Case number and jurisdiction
- Court assignment (Superior Court, Justice Court)
- Filing date
- Formal charges and corresponding statute citations
- Classification of offenses (felony class or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
- Judge assignment
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective orders or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history references
It is important to note that certain information may be redacted from publicly available records to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or vulnerable parties. Additionally, sealed records, expunged cases, and most juvenile records are not included in standard criminal record searches available to the general public.
The level of detail available varies significantly between different access methods. Online portals typically provide basic case information, while complete case files available through in-person requests at the Clerk of Court's office contain more comprehensive documentation, including police reports, witness statements, and court transcripts.
How Long Does Yavapai County Keep Criminal Records?
Yavapai County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records division, as mandated by Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-151.12. These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various types of criminal justice records, though many records are retained permanently due to their historical and legal significance.
The retention periods for common criminal record documents include:
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Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for serious felonies (homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping); 75 years from case closure for other felonies.
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Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years from case closure for standard misdemeanors; 25 years for domestic violence misdemeanors.
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Traffic Violations: 5 years from case closure for standard traffic cases; 10 years for DUI/DWI cases.
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Arrest Records: 25 years from date of arrest for adults; juvenile arrest records typically sealed at age 18 unless involving serious felonies.
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Booking Records and Mugshots: 25 years from date of booking.
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Court Dockets and Indexes: Permanent retention as these serve as finding aids for case files.
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Probation Records: 10 years after discharge from probation for misdemeanors; 25 years for felonies.
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Warrant Records: Active until served or recalled; then retained with the associated case file.
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Grand Jury Proceedings: Permanently sealed unless ordered released by court.
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Evidence Records: Retention varies based on case type - permanent for homicide cases; 55 years for sexual offenses; 7 years after case closure for other felonies; 3 years for misdemeanors.
The Arizona Supreme Court's Record Retention Schedule provides additional guidance for court records, while law enforcement agencies follow schedules established by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
It is important to note that while records may be retained according to these schedules, their accessibility to the public may change over time. Some records may be transferred to archival storage, digitized, or have restricted access as they age. Additionally, court orders for expungement or sealing may remove records from public access regardless of retention schedules.
Records that have been expunged pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-911 are removed from public access, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for specific purposes as permitted by law.
Lookup Criminal Records in Yavapai County
Yavapai County inmate database
Arizona court case information portal
Arizona Department of Public Safety records request system