Glendale Arrest Records

Police officers in Glendale can arrest someone if they witness a crime in progress, have a warrant from a judge, or have good reason to believe the person broke the law. The Glendale Police Department (GPD) is in charge of making these arrests, and after someone is arrested, they are taken to the Glendale City Jail, where officers take their name, photo, and fingerprints. People usually stay there for a short time until they go to court. If the crime is more serious or the person can not pay bail, they are moved to the Maricopa County Jail system, most often the 4th Avenue Jail in Phoenix, run by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Once an arrest happens, the report goes into the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS), which links to national databases like NCIC. From there, the information updates local jail rosters and prosecution dockets. Misdemeanor cases are heard in Glendale City Court, while felony cases go to Maricopa County Superior Court. Anyone wanting to see these records can contact the GPD Records Unit or check the county's public site for Maricopa County Arrest Records.

Are Glendale Arrests Public Record?

Yes, arrest records in Glendale are public per A.R.S. § 39-121, which means anyone can ask to see them. The Glendale Police Department keeps these records and may share them with other law enforcement groups. Still, some parts are kept private. For example, the names of minors are protected (A.R.S. § 8-208), along with information from ongoing investigations, medical or mental health records (A.R.S. § 12-2292), and personal details about victims or police officers (A.R.S. §§ 39-121.04, 39-123). If someone wants to see more private documents, like a full criminal history or police clearance letter, they must prove a direct and clear reason, such as showing a photo ID or providing fingerprints, especially when asking for their own records.

Glendale Crime Rate

Glendale's most recent crime statistics, as reported by the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Crime Overview dashboard, show a positive turn in public safety: in 2023, the total crime rate was 5,257.16 incidents per 100,000 residents, which dropped by 6.3 % to 4,926.15 per 100,000 in 2024. During that period, total reported crimes decreased from 13,341 to 12,501, while the clearance rate—cases officially closed by police—improved from 20.52 % to 27.05 %, and the number of arrests rose from 9,236 to 9,807.

Find Glendale Arrest Records

Glendale arrest records can be accessed through various means: The Glendale Police Department Records Unit accepts in-person public records requests at:

6835
North 57th Drive
Glendale, AZ 85301

where individuals should provide the full name, date of birth, arrest date range, or booking number to assist the search. Arrests that lead to formal charges may be found online through the Glendale City Court or Maricopa County Justice Courts portals. At the same time, felony cases are searchable via the Maricopa County Superior Court or Arizona's Public Access to Court Information system. For individuals transferred to the county jail, booking details are available through the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup. However, the Arizona Department of Corrections does not offer an online inmate locator; anyone requesting prison records must do so formally through their Subpoena & Public Records. Federal arrests can be checked through the PACER system, which requires registration and may include small fees.

Free Arrest Record Search in Glendale

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) provides a free online inmate search tool that makes looking up arrest records for individuals in the county jail system is simple. Users can enter a name, date of birth, or booking number to find booking dates, charges, current custody status, and facility assignment for anyone transferred from Glendale City Jail. Also, the Glendale Police Department maintains daily arrest logs (or "booking logs") on their website under the Crime Statistics and Police Incidents section—these lists provide a snapshot of recent arrests and relevant incident details.

At Maricopa County courthouses, public-access computer terminals allow users to search for criminal cases linked to arrests using names, case numbers, or filing dates at no cost. While some third-party aggregator websites offer search services for Glendale arrests, they often suffer from outdated information and may charge fees for viewing complete reports or mugshots.

Criminal Background Check in Arizona

Arizona's Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal History Records Section serves as the state's central repository under A.R.S. § 41-1750 and processes fingerprint-based background checks through a Record Review Packet requiring an FBI-standard fingerprint card and signed consent form, which individuals use to self-screen their own criminal histories at no charge. Name-based background checks are available only to authorized noncriminal justice agencies—such as employers, licensing boards, or government entities—under A.R.S. § 41-1750(G), and these agencies must submit fingerprints or a name-based request, obtain written consent, and pay processing fees set by DPS to cover state and federal fingerprint processing costs (for example, $67 for a Fingerprint Clearance Card application). Employers investigating job candidates under the Fair Credit Reporting Act must also provide a standalone notice and secure written authorization before pulling a rap sheet, whereas landlords lack direct access to DPS records and typically use third-party screening services that compile public court and repository data for a fee.

Glendale Inmate Search

Individuals who need information on Glendale residents who are serving sentences in Arizona state prisons must turn to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR), which oversees all state incarceration. Although the ADCRR website lists an "Inmate Data Search" function, that tool is restricted and not available for unrestricted public use. Instead, anyone can obtain current custody status, facility assignment, sentence length, and projected release dates only by submitting a formal public records request to ADCRR's Subpoena & Public Records Office. Requests should include the inmate's full name and ADC number (if known) and clearly state the records sought; they may be submitted via mail, fax, or the online form, addressed to the Subpoena & Public Records Office at:

1601
West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
or by calling: (602) 542-5886

Under Arizona's Public Records Law (A.R.S. § 39-121), these records are generally disclosable, though requesters may incur nominal copying or processing fees.

Glendale Police Record Lookup

Anyone who needs a police report from the Glendale Police Department, whether it is an incident report, an arrest affidavit, or a CAD call log, can choose the method that works best for them. They can fill out the online public records portal form, supplying details like the report number, date, names involved, and location. Alternatively, they can download the Public Records Request form and mail it to the record unit, or email it to PDPublicRecords@glendaleaz.com. For those who prefer face-to-face help, the Records counter at the police station welcomes walk-ins during business hours.

Once the request is in, simple reports usually take just a few business days to process, but more complex items such as large CAD logs, body-camera footage, or materials tied to open investigations can take several weeks. Arizona law requires the department to redact certain sensitive details, such as victim or witness names, personal contact information, medical or mental-health data, and anything that might tip off someone in an active case. To help speed things along, requesters should give as much specific information as they can when they submit their form.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Glendale?

A Glendale arrest remains on a person's record permanently unless a court orders it sealed under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 13-911). Eligible individuals may petition for sealing after meeting the required waiting period, though sealed records stay accessible to law enforcement and certain agencies. Third-party mugshot websites and commercial background check services often continue to display these arrest details unless the person actively requests removal, even though Arizona law bans charging fees for that service.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Glendale?

A person in Glendale may be eligible to expunge or seal their record for free if their charges were dismissed, they were found not guilty, or they have completed sentencing for certain offenses—such as first-time misdemeanors—under Arizona's record sealing law (A.R.S. § 13-911). Those seeking expungement can file in propria persona (on their own) by submitting a petition form and a fee-waiver affidavit to avoid filing costs if they show financial hardship. Free help is available through legal aid clinics or local organizations. After the petition is filed, a court hearing is typically set within a few weeks, with most rulings issued within 60 to 90 days.

Glendale Warrant Search

An arrest warrant is a judge-issued order authorizing law enforcement to take someone into custody when there is probable cause that they committed a crime, while a bench warrant is issued for failing to appear in court or comply with a judicial order (e.g., A.R.S. § 13-810). Individuals can check for active warrants by using the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Warrant Lookup tool online—entering a name, date of birth, or warrant number; by calling the Maricopa County Superior Court Criminal Department Information Desk at (602) 506-8575; by searching the Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access to Court Information portal for arrest and bench warrant entries; or by visiting the court clerk's office or Sheriff's Custody Services desk in person with a valid photo ID (note that appearing in person may lead to immediate arrest if a warrant is active).

Do Glendale Warrants Expire?

No. Most warrants issued in Glendale (whether for felonies or misdemeanors) do not expire and remain active until they are served, quashed by a judge, or officially recalled. Minor municipal warrants tied to low-level violations may lapse if the statute of limitations runs out without prosecution. A warrant can also be voided if the defendant dies, prosecutors dismiss the case, or a judge recalls it due to error or lack of evidence. Unless one of these conditions applies, the warrant stays in effect indefinitely.