Scottsdale Arrest Records

Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 13-4401 defines an arrest as the moment someone is physically restrained by the police or agrees to be in custody. In Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Police Department, other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction, and private citizens can make arrests within the city. These arrests happen when officers have probable cause to believe a crime has taken place (ARS § 13-3883), when they carry out an arrest warrant, or when they catch someone committing an offense (ARS §13-3884).

After an arrest, officers take the arrested individual to the City of Scottsdale Jail at 3700 North 75th Street for booking. There, they gather fingerprints, snap photographs, and note the charges. Then, they send this information to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) (ARS § 41-1750 mandates that all Arizona criminal justice agencies report arrest and disposition information to the DPS). Scottsdale arrest information populates various databases, including the Maricopa County arrest records.

Are Scottsdale Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Arizona's Public Records Law (ARS § 39-121) classifies arrest records as public. Members of the public may request these records from local law enforcement agencies and the AZDPS. ARS § 39-123, however, forbids the disclosure of certain information to protect privacy and the integrity of ongoing proceedings. Examples include:

• Juvenile records
• Active investigations data
• Confidential informant identities
• Protected personal information: Home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs of peace officers, judges, and prosecutors, except when the arrestee faces criminal charges or a journalist requests the information for a news story

Scottsdale Crime Rate

According to the data reported by SPD on the AZDPS Crime Statistics Dashboard, Scottsdale's crime numbers have declined significantly in recent years, from an average of 7,557 during the past four years (2020–2023) to 6,631 offenses in 2024, a crime rate of 2721.59 per 100,000 population. This decrease indicates that police efforts and community initiatives are yielding positive results. The data also show 157.6 index violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2024, down 9.4% from 174.0 in 2023, and 2602.6 index property crimes per 100,000 residents in 2024, a 16.5% decrease from the 2023 rate of 3118.1.

Find Scottsdale Arrest Records

Individuals looking for arrest records in Scottsdale may obtain them through the official sources listed below:

• SPD Open Data Portal: They can check the SPD's Open Data portal for arrest reports and incident reports.
• Scottsdale City Court: They can visit the Scottsdale City Court's e-services website to search court records by name, case number, or date, or stop by the courthouse at 3700 North 75th Street in person to ask for records directly.
• AZDPS: For more comprehensive criminal history records, they can contact the AZDPS.

Free Arrest Record Search in Scottsdale

For free arrest record options, interested individuals can leverage the following avenues:

• Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster online.
• Public-access terminals: One can head to public-access terminals at the Scottsdale City Court or Maricopa County Superior Court clerk's offices to search court records, including available arrest information, for free.

Criminal Background Check in Arizona

The AZDPS Central State Repository (CSR) oversees criminal background checks per ARS. § 41-1750. Individuals seeking to review their Arizona criminal record for accuracy can apply online or download and fill out the Record Review Packet, which supports name-based or fingerprint-based checks. The packet includes an FBI blue standard applicant fingerprint card (FD-258), which requires the applicant's name, residence, signature, social security number, descriptive data (height, weight, eye color, etc.), date of birth, place of birth, all 10 rolled fingerprint impressions, plain impressions (including thumbs of both hands), and the law enforcement agency and official's badge/serial number. A Contact Information Sheet must be included for follow-up, and the request costs $5 to $20. The CSR processes requests within 15 days and mails responses without personal identifying information. Fingerprint cards are destroyed post-review for privacy.

Authorized noncriminal justice agencies, per ARS. § 41-1750(G) or Public Law 92-544, may conduct fingerprint-based checks through the Noncriminal Justice Compliance Program. Private employers, except specific non-profits, cannot access these records. Fees vary by agency from $20 to $50. The subject's consent is required via the fingerprint card and Contact Information Sheet. Employers or landlords may require fingerprint clearance cards for specific roles, but private citizens cannot access others' records.

Scottsdale Inmate Search

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) offers an Inmate Data Search tool to look up individuals serving sentences in Arizona state prisons. Users can search by name, ADC number, or case number to obtain details such as sentence length, release date, and facility location. Inmates transfer to state prisons only after sentencing for terms exceeding 12 months, as shorter sentences are typically served in city or county jails.

Scottsdale Police Record Lookup

Citizens can request police records, including incident reports, arrest affidavits, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) logs, from the SPD as follows:

• Online: Individuals submit requests via the City's eServices portal.
• By Mail: Requests are sent to SPD, Records Unit, 8401 East Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, with a notarized identity statement and payment (check or money order).
• In-Person: Individuals can visit the Records Unit during business hours with a government-issued photo ID.
• Fees: The first 15 minutes of search time are free, with additional time billed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee. Copies cost 10 cents per page, $3 for certification, and $5 for mailing.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Scottsdale?

Indefinitely. Arizona law does not specify a retention period for arrest records. Generally, these remain on file indefinitely unless a court orders them to be sealed or set aside (ARS § 13-911, ARS § 13-905). Even dismissed charges or arrests without charges may appear on background checks unless sealed.

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

While Arizona provides no true expungement for most offenses, ARS § 13-911 allows petitioners to seal qualifying cases, thereby restricting public access. Eligible cases include the following:

• Arrests without charges
• Dismissed charges
• Certain completed sentences (including fines and restitution)

Any individual who satisfies the criteria above may take the following steps to seal their records:

• Petition the Court: File a petition in the court where the arrest or conviction occurred (Scottsdale City Court for misdemeanors or Maricopa County Superior Court for felonies).
• Request Fee Waiver: If unable to pay the court's $50 to $100 filing fee, submit a financial hardship affidavit to access a fee waiver.
• Attend Hearing: Attend the scheduled hearing where a judge weighs the petition and its merits.
• Court Decision: If the judge approves the request, the court seals the records within 30 days. The process typically takes 2 to 6 months, depending on court schedules and case complexity.

Scottsdale Warrant Search

An arrest warrant is issued by a judge when there is probable cause to believe an individual committed a crime, allowing for their arrest and detention. A bench warrant is issued for failure to appear in court or comply with court orders, such as a probation violation. To check for active warrants in Scottsdale, interested persons may explore these options:

• Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Warrant Lookup: The online tool provides warrant searches by name or warrant number.
• Scottsdale City Court: Provides misdemeanor warrant search online via its case information portal or in person at 3700 North 75th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
• In-Person Inquiries: Visit the SPD or City Court with a photo ID.

Individuals should be aware that appearing in person to check for the existence of a warrant may lead to an immediate arrest if one exists.

Do Scottsdale Warrants Expire?

No. In Arizona, felony and misdemeanor warrants do not expire and remain active until served by a police officer or recalled by the issuing court.