Cochise County Arrest Records

When a person is arrested in Cochise County, Arizona, they are transported to the county’s detention center and booked. In the process, their personal information, details of the alleged offense, and the circumstances surrounding their arrest are documented. The information compiled in this process constitutes Cochise County arrest records.

In Cochise County, Arizona, arrest records are maintained by local law enforcement agencies, including the county sheriff's office and local police departments. They may also be held as part of Cochise County court records where they are relevant to an ongoing judicial proceeding. Per the Arizona Legislature, law enforcement personnel apprehend and detain persons alleged to be involved in the planning and/or execution of a criminal offense. Arrests may be performed with or without a warrant provided probable cause of the arrestee’s criminal involvement has been established.

Are Arrest Records Public in Cochise County?

In Cochise County, Arizona, arrest records are generally available to the public for inspection, as provided by Arizona’s Public Records Law (AZ Rev Stat § 39-121). Consequently, members of the public may request arrest records from the arresting agency or from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which is responsible for maintaining criminal history records.

However, not all information within an arrest record is freely available. Some types of information are exempt from public disclosure under state statutes. For instance, confidential details—such as sensitive personal information, victim identities in certain cases, and information that may compromise ongoing investigations or state interests—may be redacted or withheld. Additionally, law enforcement agencies may restrict access to certain arrest records to protect public safety or other critical interests.

Typically, restricted arrest information is accessible to certain authorized individuals or entities, such as law enforcement personnel, attorneys involved in the case, or individuals with a legitimate interest, like the subject of the record themselves.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

While not all details of an arrest are considered public, the following categories of information are disclosable to the public:

• Personal Information: Including identifying details such as the subject’s full name, known aliases, gender, date of birth, residential address, and occupation.
• Physical Description: The arrestees physical attributes including their height, weight, eye and hair color, race, and any distinguishing features like marks or tattoos.
• Booking Details: Information related to the booking process, such as the date and time of the arrest, the name of the arresting officer, the facility where the individual was booked, booking reference numbers, mugshots or photographs, fingerprints, the bail amount and type, and any outstanding warrants.
• Offense Classification and Incident Details: Details regarding the nature of the offense (felony, misdemeanor, or minor offense), along with information pertaining to events leading up to the arrest, including victim reports, witness statements, and other relevant information.

Cochise County Crime Rate

According to independent reports published in 2024, Cochise County's property and violent crime rate is lower than the national average. Based on National Incident-Based Reporting System data (which informed the report), the county’s most recent crime evaluation revealed a crime rate of 0.79 incidents per 1000 residents. A breakdown of the crimes reported in the preceding year showed 98 violent crimes, 323 property crimes, and 410 others. There were 7 documented reports of murder, 2 rapes, 75 assaults, 10 kidnappings and 4 robberies.

Find Cochise County Arrest Records

Interested members of the public may find Cochise County arrest records in various ways depending on the agency that made the arrest.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office manages many arrests, but city police departments, like the Sierra Vista Police Department, also handle arrests within their jurisdictions.

If the Cochise County Sheriff's Office arrested a person and they remain in custody, their arrest records may be retrieved by querying the administrative office of the Sheriff’s department at:

205 N Judd Drive
Mile Post 345,
Highway 80
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: (520) 803-3550

Inquirers will typically be required to provide the following information to facilitate the search:

• Detainee’s name
• Birth date
• Date and time of the incident
• Date and time of the arrest
• Booking number (if known)

Free Arrest Record Search in Cochise County

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and local city police departments allow individuals to search for arrest records online or through direct requests at no cost. However, if the inquirer requests physical copies of the record, they may be expected to cover the cost of duplication. Independent databases may also provide access to arrest information for free provided the inquirer does not require a comprehensive report.

Get Cochise County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Cochise County detail an individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, and sentencing information. To obtain a Cochise County criminal record, citizens can contact the County Sheriff's office, the Arizona Department of Public Safety or the FBI.

The Cochise County Sheriff processes criminal record requests through its administrative office. Inquirers may request these records in person or via mail by furnishing the office clerk with information about the record holder. This may also be done using the Public Records Inspection and Copy Request Form.

On the other hand, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state-wide central repository for criminal records and arrest information in Arizona per Arizona Revised Statutes §41-1750. The DPS offers a fingerprint-based criminal record review process. To initiate this process, individuals must submit a completed fingerprint card and Record Review Contact Information Sheet to the DPS. The card can be obtained from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office or any city police department that offers fingerprinting services. DPS-directed queries should be addressed to:

Arizona Department of Public Safety
Criminal History Records Unit
P.O. Box 18450
Phoenix, AZ 85005-8450
Phone: (602) 223-2222

Cochise County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records in Cochise County contain details about a person’s arrest, alleged crime, and arrest outcome. These records do not indicate guilt, as charges may be dismissed or the individual may be acquitted. In contrast, criminal records provide a complete account of a person’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentencing outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Cochise County, arrest records generally remain on an individual’s record indefinitely unless action is taken to modify them. Arizona offers various means to have arrest information removed from a record expungement, setting aside a conviction or sealing records.

Arizona's provisions for the retention of arrest records are governed by state law. Arrests in Cochise County, like in other parts of Arizona, may remain on an individual’s record for up to 99 years. However, the retention period may vary depending on the individual's circumstances, the offense's nature, and the case's outcome.

Other retention periods in Arizona include:

• Juvenile records: Until the offender turns 18.
• Inmate master records: 25 years; 5 years for offenders with shorter sentences or deceased offenders.
• Offenders with lifetime supervision or parole: 5 years.
• Adult booking records: Up to 10 years.

Expunge Cochise County Arrest Records

Following the passage of Proposition 207 and updates to Arizona Revised Statute § 13-907, eligible persons may now expunge their Cochise County arrest records. Expungement is a legal process allowing individuals to have their arrest records removed or erased from public access.

Interested persons may seek the expungement of their Cochise County arrest records under the following conditions:

• No charges were filed.
• The case resulted in a not-guilty verdict or was dismissed.
• The individual completed all requirements of their sentence, including fines and probation.

The process for expunging a record generally varies depending on the situation of the record holder:

• Conviction Set-Aside

Individuals convicted of eligible offenses who have satisfied the terms of their sentence may petition the court where they were convicted to have their conviction set aside.

• Dismissed or Not-Guilty Cases

If charges were dismissed, the conviction was overturned, or the individual was found not guilty, they may file an expungement petition in the court where the original charges were filed.

• No Charges Filed:

If no charges were ever filed after the arrest, individuals may petition the Superior Court in the county where they were arrested to expunge the record.

• Marijuana-Related Offenses:

Under Proposition 207, specific marijuana-related offenses (such as possession of less than 2.5 ounces) can be expunged. To file for expungement under this law, the petitioner must submit a petition to the court, specifying the arrest record and providing detailed information about the offense and the arresting agency.

To begin the process of setting aside or expunging an arrest record, the petitioner must complete a Petition to Seal (AOCCRSL1F Form).

The petitioner will be required to provide their personal information, details of the arrest, arresting agency, and prosecuting agency (if applicable). In addition, the petition will require information relating to the charges filed, case numbers, and the petitioner's compliance with sentence requirements (if applicable).

Cochise County Arrest Warrants

A Cochise County arrest warrant is a formal document authorizing the arrest of an individual suspected of committing a crime. According to A.R.S. § 13-3883, warrants are issued by a judge and executed by law enforcement. They contain the suspect's personal information, the alleged crime, and the conditions of the warrant's execution.

Cochise County Arrest Warrant Search

Residents of Cochise County can check if an arrest warrant has been issued against them or others by contacting local law enforcement agencies, such as the Cochise County Sheriff's Office, or by visiting their official website. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office may periodically release information on fugitives and outstanding warrants in the interest of public safety. However, more extensive inquiries can be made at the Sheriff’s office in person. In this case, however, in-person queries will be made at the risk of immediate arrest if the inquirer has a warrant out for their arrest.

Do Cochise County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Cochise County do not expire. Once issued, a warrant remains active until law enforcement apprehends the individual named in the warrant or until the court takes action to quash or recall the warrant. A judge can only dismiss the warrant if certain legal grounds are met, such as a mistake in identity, an error in the warrant's issuance, or resolution of the underlying charges.

Failure to address an active warrant may result in ongoing legal consequences, such as additional charges for evading law enforcement. Arizona state law, including A.R.S. § 13-2506 (resisting arrest) and related statutes, provides that evading or resisting arrest can lead to more severe penalties for the individual involved.