Tucson Arrest Records

Arrests happen when law enforcement officers, authorized by a warrant or witnessing a crime in progress, detain a suspect. The primary law enforcement agency handling arrests within city limits is the Tucson Police Department. Although during warrant enforcement, the Pima County Sheriff's Department may also make arrests.

After an arrest, suspects are usually held at the Pima County Jail, which serves the city and surrounding areas. The arrestee is booked, and their records are incorporated into Pima County arrest records.

Are Tucson Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Tucson residents can access the city's arrest records under the Arizona Public Records Law, which classifies arrest records as public documents. However, certain confidentiality protections are in place to safeguard privacy and public safety, restricting access to specific records or details. Typically, only individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record may obtain these records. Common protected arrest records in Arizona include:

• Arrest records involving active investigations
• Juvenile information
• Medical and mental health details
• Identifying details of certain victims, and confidential informants or witnesses

Tucson Crime Rate

The Tucson Police Department tracks crime in the city using the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This crime data is compiled and made publicly available on the department's Data & Analysis website. Currently, the published data only includes Part I crimes, a category covering the most serious offenses.

According to data on the site, 12,925 crimes were reported in 2024, a 5.64% increase from the total reported 12,235 incidents in 2023. The Police Department identifies larceny, particularly shoplifting and theft from motor vehicles, as the most frequently reported crime.

Find Tucson Arrest Records

Individuals seeking arrest records in Tucson can contact either the Tucson Police Department or the Pima County Sheriff's Office, as both agencies handle arrests within the city. Requesters may be asked to provide identifying details about the arrestee or the circumstances of the arrest to locate a specific record.

Additionally, arrest records of persons in the county jail can be accessed online through the Pima County Inmate Lookup portal, which allows searches using the inmate's last name.

Free Arrest Record Search in Tucson

The Pima County Inmate Lookup portal is a free resource individuals may use to access arrest records. However, it does not include records for individuals who have been released. For records of persons not presently incarcerated, members of the public must utilize alternative resources. Several third-party services may offer users free access to Tucson arrest information. However, users should note that third-party services may not always have up-to-date information depending on their data collection and update frequency.

Criminal Background Check in Arizona

Criminal background checks in Arizona are administered by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS). Per Arizona law (A.R.S. § 41-1750), the AZDPS cannot perform a criminal background check for immigration, employment, visa, or foreign adoption purposes when these originate outside the state. The AZDPS only conducts fingerprint-based checks. Third-party background services may offer name-based checks, but these are not state-certified.

Individuals can obtain their own criminal record for personal review by submitting a Record Review Packet. The process can be initiated online or by calling the Central State Repository Section at (602) 223-2000. The packet includes instructions, a blank fingerprint card, a contact information sheet, and a pre-addressed return envelope. Once submitted, a copy of the applicant's criminal record will be mailed to them within 15 days.

Noncriminal justice agencies authorized under A.R.S. § 41-1750(G) and Public Law 92-544 may apply for a criminal background check through the Noncriminal Justice (NCJ) Compliance Program. The AZDPS does not process applications made by or release criminal history records to private companies except non-profit organizations for employment purposes.

Tucson Inmate Search

When individuals arrested in Tucson are convicted of their charges, they may be sentenced to serve time in an Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) facility. Following incarceration, these conviction records become part of the public record.

The public can access an inmate's record by searching the Arizona Inmate Data Search portal using the inmate's name or ADC number. Researchers should note that a prisoner is prohibited from accessing the records of another prisoner (A.R.S. section 31-221(E)). Transmitting inmate records to prisoners constitutes a Class 5 felony, which may result in a prison sentence of up to two and a half years.

Tucson Police Record Lookup

Tucson residents can request a variety of public police records, including collision reports, 911 calls, radio traffic, arrest history, and clearance letters through the Tucson Police Department. Requests must be made using the department's Public Records Request form, which can be submitted in person, by mail, or by email. However, arrest history and clearance letters are confidential documents only retrievable by the person or their authorized representative. As such, only in-person or mail-in requests are permissible.
The department's mail address is:

Tucson Police Department
Records Section
270 S Stone Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701-1917

Also, collision reports are available for purchase online through a third-party vendor. The department charges $5 per report for paper copies, with an additional 25 cents per page beyond the first 15 pages. Email copies cost $5 except for digital copies, which cannot be sent via email due to size and instead cost $25.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Tucson?

Indefinitely. A Tucson arrest is permanently imprinted on a person's criminal record unless the court seals it. However, a restriction only makes it invisible to the public eye but does not erase the record. There are no provisions for the automatic removal of an arrest after a period of time. Instead, eligible individuals will have to file a petition with the court to have the record sealed.

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

For Tucson residents seeking a fresh start, Arizona law provides for the sealing of certain arrest records, effectively removing them from public view. The sealing of a record depends on certain eligibility criteria outlined in ARS § 13-911. These include:

• The charges were dismissed, or the person was not found guilty
• The arrest charges were not formally filed
• A conviction occurred, and the terms of the sentence have been fulfilled, and the designated waiting times have passed:
  • Two years for most misdemeanors
  • Three to ten years for eligible felony offenses and an additional five years if a prior felony conviction exists

Eligible persons can file a Petition to Seal Criminal Case Records without the help of an attorney in the court that handled the initial case. Filing a sealing petition typically costs a fee unless the petitioner applies for a fee waiver by submitting the Application for Waiver of Court Fees Form along with the petition.

Once the petition is filed, the court typically forwards it to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. If there are no objections, a ruling is generally issued within a few weeks.

Tucson Warrant Search

The Tucson court system issues three primary types of warrants: arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants. Arrest warrants are obtained by law enforcement when they demonstrate probable cause to a judge. Bench warrants are issued when individuals fail to comply with court orders, such as missing scheduled hearings or violating probation terms.

Generally, when a warrant is issued, the court may send notification to the defendant's current address if available, detailing the warrant and potential resolution options. However, if such notice was not received and the individual believes that they are wanted, they may call Pima County Pretrial Services at (520) 724-3310. The Pretrial Services will run a warrant check for free for the individual (no in-person visit is required). For Felony arrest warrants, the Pretrial Services may also guide the person on how to resolve it, depending on the circumstances.

Alternatively, individuals may contact Tucson City Court directly at (520) 791-4216 or search the Arizona Case Lookup portal online. It's important to note that in-person warrant inquiries at police stations carry the risk of immediate arrest if an active warrant is confirmed

Do Tucson Warrants Expire?

No. Arizona law does not impose an expiration date for outstanding warrants. They remain active indefinitely until the suspect is apprehended or appears before the court. The only exception is if the court cancels it due to the underlying issues being resolved or defects in the warrant. However, a new warrant can always be issued if cancellation was for a warrant defect, provided the underlying issues still exist.

Individuals who believe they have a warrant in their name should seek legal assistance immediately and not wait for the passage of time in hopes that the warrant expires. Tucson has a Warrant Court, which sometimes holds warrant quash events. Individuals can use these opportunities to voluntarily appear in court and have their warrant reviewed or quashed.