Phoenix Criminal Court Records

Phoenix criminal court records are split between two courts. Felony cases go to Maricopa County Superior Court. Misdemeanor charges stay at Phoenix Municipal Court. Traffic violations and DUI cases also get filed at city court. City ordinance violations are processed locally too. Phoenix Municipal Court is Arizona's largest limited jurisdiction court. It processes around 160,000 charges annually. This reflects Phoenix being the state's largest city. You can search for criminal case information through county and city online portals. Visit courthouses in person to inspect records. Staff can help you with file access and copying services.

Felony Criminal Court Records

All felony criminal cases from Phoenix are handled by Maricopa County Superior Court. This applies regardless of where in Phoenix the alleged offense occurred. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains these records. The main courthouse is in downtown Phoenix at 601 West Jackson Street. You can search felony cases online through the Superior Court Docket portal for free. The system operates around the clock. You can search any time day or night from your computer or phone.

The Superior Court Docket lets you search by name or case number. You can also search by business name or date of birth. Results show case numbers and parties. Case types appear in the results. Filing dates help you identify the right case. Docket entries list all court filings. Calendar events show hearing dates. Minute entries document what happened at each hearing. Current case status tells you if the case is open or closed. The system updates in real time. There is up to a 24-hour audit delay for some entries. For felony document copies, use eAccess at ten dollars per document. You can also submit a records request to the Clerk's office in Phoenix for traditional copying services.

Phoenix Municipal Court Records

Phoenix Municipal Court is at 300 West Washington Street in downtown Phoenix. Call 602-262-6421 for general information about case status and court procedures. The court handles misdemeanor criminal charges and traffic violations. DUI cases that are not felonies get processed here. City ordinance violations come through this court. This is the largest limited jurisdiction court in Arizona. It processes around 160,000 charges each year. Hours and services vary. Check the court website for current information about clerk hours and available services.

Municipal Court case searches may be available through the city court website at phoenix.gov/court. Contact the court directly for information. Ask about online case lookup options when you call. Records requests can be submitted through the court's records request process. Each court department may have different procedures. Accessing records in Phoenix may vary by department. Criminal records follow different rules than traffic records in terms of public access and copying fees.

Municipal Court does NOT handle felony cases. Family law matters go elsewhere. Civil cases over certain dollar amounts are not heard here. Probate cases go to Superior Court. Municipal Court jurisdiction covers only misdemeanors and traffic violations. City violations within Phoenix city limits come here. Certain limited civil matters are also heard by this court but most civil disputes go to justice court or superior court depending on the dollar amount at stake.

How to Access Criminal Records

For felony records from Phoenix, go through Maricopa County Superior Court. Use the free online docket search first. Visit 601 West Jackson Street in person if you need certified documents. Call 602-372-5375 for the main Clerk office. Call 602-506-8575 for the Criminal Department if you have specific questions about criminal cases. Email public records requests to PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov with your case details. Copies cost 50 cents per page for plain photocopies. Certified copies are 35 dollars per document plus page fees. Personal checks are NOT accepted for any payment to Maricopa County. Use cash, money orders, or credit and debit cards instead.

For misdemeanor records from Phoenix, contact Phoenix Municipal Court at 300 West Washington Street. Call 602-262-6421 for information about your case. Visit the court in person during business hours for clerk assistance. Check the website for online services that may be available. Request forms and fee schedules are available from the court clerk at the public counter. Processing times vary based on case type. Court workload in Phoenix also affects how quickly staff can process your records request.

Online searches are free for basic case information. Document copies require payment. This applies regardless of search method. Always verify current fees before submitting payment. Fee schedules change periodically in Phoenix. The city council approves fee adjustments from time to time based on budget needs and administrative costs.

Phoenix Police Records

Phoenix Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports. These are separate from court case files. Law enforcement records are not court documents. Court records come from Superior Court or Municipal Court. Police records come from the Police Department. These are two different systems with different access rules. Contact the Phoenix Police Department directly for arrest records. Incident reports are also available from the department. These show police response to calls for service in Phoenix but do not include court case outcomes or dispositions.

Nearby Major Cities

Other large cities in Maricopa County each have their own Municipal Courts for misdemeanors but use the same county Superior Court for felonies.