Find Recent Arrests in Pima County
Pima County recent arrests are handled by the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The department provides detention services for law enforcement agencies across the Tucson metro area and throughout the county. Pima County is the second largest county in Arizona by population. It sits in the southern part of the state near the Mexico border. The sheriff's office runs the main county jail and maintains arrest records for all bookings. You can look up who is in jail right now using the online inmate search tool. The search shows current inmates along with booking details. If you need older arrest records or copies of reports, you can request them through the records division. This page walks you through the ways to find and get Pima County arrest information.
Pima County Quick Facts
Pima County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Pima County Sheriff's Department handles arrests for unincorporated parts of the county. It also runs the jail that holds inmates from all local agencies. When Tucson Police or other local departments make an arrest, the person goes to the Pima County Jail for booking. This means the sheriff has records for most arrests in the area, not just those made by deputies.
The Pima County Inmate Search tool lets you find current inmates online. You can search by name to see if someone is in custody right now. The database updates regularly to show new bookings and releases. Search results include basic booking information. You will see the person's name, date of birth, booking date, and charges. This is free to use and works any time of day.
The sheriff's inmate lookup page provides details on recent Pima County arrests directly from the jail system.
After you search for someone in the jail system, you can see their current status and the charges they face. This helps families track loved ones through the booking process.
Pima County Jail Information
The main jail sits at 1750 E. Benson Highway in Tucson. This is where most people go after arrest in Pima County. Staff book new inmates and process releases around the clock. The facility holds inmates awaiting trial and those serving short sentences.
Visitors need to plan ahead. The jail requires you to schedule visits at least one day in advance. Walk-in visits are not allowed. You can find visiting hours and rules on the sheriff's website. Video visits are also an option for some inmates.
For general jail questions, call (520) 351-8111. This line connects you to jail staff who can help with inmate questions. They can tell you if someone is there and when they might see a judge. The records division handles requests for copies of arrest reports and booking documents.
Note: Visitors must schedule all visits at least 24 hours before they plan to come to the Pima County Jail.
Request Pima County Arrest Records
Arizona public records law gives you the right to get arrest records. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, public records must be open for inspection during office hours. This includes arrest reports, booking records, and related documents from the Pima County Sheriff.
The Pima County Sheriff jail records request page shows you how to ask for copies. You can request in person, by mail, or through their online system. The process takes a few days for most requests. Complex requests or those needing review may take longer. Staff will tell you the cost before they process your request.
The jail records request form helps you submit a formal request for arrest documentation in Pima County.
Once you submit the form, staff will process your request and let you know when documents are ready to pick up or mail out.
Some information gets removed from public copies. The law requires redaction of certain personal details. Dates of birth, social security numbers, and home addresses often get blacked out. This protects privacy while still letting people access basic arrest information under A.R.S. § 41-4172.
Pima County Records Fees
The sheriff charges fees for copies of arrest records. These fees help cover the cost of staff time and materials. Current fees for Pima County Sheriff records are:
- All reports and transcripts: $5.00 each for the first 20 pages
- Additional pages: $0.25 per page after the first 20
- Photographs, video, and audio: $5.00 per DVD
- Clearance letters: $5.00 each
Payment must be made before you get your copies. Check with the records division for accepted payment methods. Fees can change, so ask about current costs when you submit your request.
Arizona law allows victims of certain crimes to get one free copy of their report. Under A.R.S. § 39-127, victims of Part I crimes can request this. Part I crimes include serious offenses like murder, assault, robbery, and burglary. Ask the records staff if this applies to your situation.
Search Pima County Arrests Online
The online inmate search is the fastest way to check recent Pima County arrests. It shows who is in jail right now. You do not need to call or visit in person. Just go to the sheriff's website and use the search tool.
To find someone, enter their name. You will see results that match. Click on a result to get more details about that person's booking. The system shows current charges and bail information when available. Keep in mind that this only shows current inmates. If someone was released, they will not show up.
For arrests that happened in the past, use the records request process. The online search is only for current jail population. It does not keep a history of everyone who has been through the system. Old records require a formal request to the sheriff's office.
Arizona State Arrest Records
Some Pima County arrests end up in state databases. If someone goes to state prison after conviction, their records move to the Arizona Department of Corrections. The Arizona inmate data search covers state prisoners.
The state also runs VINELink for victim notification. If you want to know when an inmate gets released, you can sign up through VINELink. This free service sends alerts when an offender's custody status changes. It works for county jails and state prisons across Arizona.
For criminal history records, the Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the central state repository under A.R.S. § 41-1750. This is where all Arizona criminal records go. Local agencies report arrests and dispositions to this database. You can request your own record through DPS, but getting someone else's requires proper authorization.
Pima County Arrest Record Sealing
Arizona allows people to seal some arrest records. Under A.R.S. § 13-911, you may be able to seal convictions, dismissed charges, or arrests that never led to charges. The rules depend on the type of offense and how long ago it happened.
Waiting periods vary by offense type. Class 2 or 3 felonies have a 10 year wait. Class 4 through 6 felonies require 5 years. Class 1 misdemeanors need 3 years. Class 2 and 3 misdemeanors only need 2 years. These periods start after you complete your sentence, including any probation.
Once sealed, you can legally deny the arrest happened on most job applications and housing forms. This helps people move on from past mistakes. The Pima County Superior Court handles sealing petitions. Contact the court clerk for forms and instructions on how to file.
Cities in Pima County
Pima County includes Tucson, the second largest city in Arizona. Tucson has its own police department that handles arrests within city limits. For Tucson arrests, contact the Tucson Police Department. They have their own records process. Other cities in Pima County include Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita. Each may have its own police force or rely on the sheriff.
No matter which agency makes an arrest, the person usually ends up at the Pima County Jail for booking. So the sheriff's inmate search will show most recent arrests in the county. If you need a copy of the actual arrest report, you may need to contact the specific department that made the arrest.
Contact Pima County Sheriff
The main sheriff's office address is 1750 E. Benson Highway, Tucson, AZ 85714. For general information, call (520) 351-4600. For jail specific questions, the direct line is (520) 351-8111.
Office hours are typical business hours during the week. The jail operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Booking and release happen around the clock. Online inmate search works any time. Records requests get processed during regular hours.
Nearby Arizona Counties
If your search takes you outside Pima County, here are the neighboring counties with links to their arrest records information:
- Pinal County - north of Pima County
- Maricopa County - northwest of Pima County
- Cochise County - east of Pima County
- Santa Cruz County - south of Pima County
Each county has its own jail and records system. You will need to contact them separately for their arrest records. Records do not transfer automatically between counties in Arizona.