Pima County Court Records
According to the Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona, Rule 123, "court records" include all documents, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, film, sound recordings, or other materials created or received per law or in connection with the transaction of any official business by the court.
Court records may be administrative records or case records. A.R.S. Sup. Ct. Rules, Rule 123(b)(16)(B) defines a "case record" as:
- Any record collected, received, or maintained by a court or clerk of court because of a judicial proceeding;
- Any judgment, order, or minute entry related to a judicial proceeding; and
- Any index, docket, calendar, or register of actions associated with a case or maintained in connection with a judicial proceeding.
Pima County court case records exist in physical and electronic formats. These records provide accurate and comprehensive details about cases tried or litigated in the county. As a result, they can be reviewed or requested by parties (attorneys, judges, case parties, the general public) who want to track the progression of lawsuits, file appeals, carry out background checks, or conduct legal research, among other purposes. Court records help ensure transparency and accountability within the justice system.
Pima County's court records custodian is the court clerk (sometimes called the "court administrator"). The court clerk ensures that court records are retained and disseminated as the records are considered part of Pima County Public Records.
Are Court Records Public in Pima County?
Yes. Court records in Pima County are not subject to the Arizona Public Records Law. However, public access to court records is permitted under the Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona, Rule 123. This court rule directs the maintenance and disclosure of judicial records. Under its provisions, members of the public can request and obtain court records from the official custodians (the clerks of courts) during regular office hours.
Interestingly, not all court records are publicly accessible in Pima County. Court officials can restrict access to records or information to secure privacy and governmental interests. A.R.S. Sup. Ct. Rules, Rule 123, also limit certain court records from public view when disclosure will violate a law or rule. Examples include adoption and juvenile court records. A.R.S. Sup. Ct. Rules, Rule 123 (d), has more information on confidential court records.
What Do Pima County Court Records Contain?
Pima County court records comprise the following details:
- Case documents: All documents and papers filed or submitted in a judicial proceeding, including orders and judgments, motions, and pleadings
- The names and addresses of parties to a court case, case status, case number, filing date, and case type
- Exhibits (photographs, videos, audio recordings, expert or witness testimonies, etc.)
- Dockets (inclusive of scheduled court dates and filings)
- Sentencing and dispositions
- Court minutes
- Transcripts
Where to Conduct a Pima County Case Lookup
An individual can conduct a Pima County court case lookup at the following places:
- A Pima County courthouse.
- The Arizona State Archives and Records Management Center (if the record is over 50 years old).
- Online case management portals managed by the county courts.
How to Conduct a Pima County Case Records Search
Members of the public can conduct a Pima County case records search as follows:
At the Pima County Courthouses
Interested parties can visit a local courthouse to review or copy Pima County case records. This could be the Pima County Superior Court, the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, or a city/municipal court. However, this must be the courthouse that heard the case of interest. One way to find the presiding court is to search case management portals maintained by the courts.
Via Online Case Search Portals
To look up cases filed in the Pima County Superior Court, requesters may access the court's Record Search website using a case number or case party's name (last or business name). On the other hand, persons who want to search for a Pima County Justice Court case online should use the court's Case Search portal. Users can search justice court cases with a case number, case party's name (last or business name), or complaint number.
At the State Archives and Records Management Center (ARC)
Only case records originating from the superior courts and filed before 1950 are accessible at the Arizona State Archives. These include criminal felony, divorce records, probate, juvenile, civil, and family law case records. To access such records, individuals may visit the Archives and Records Management Center during working hours at the following address:
Polly Rosenbaum State Archives and History Building
1901 W. Madison Street
Phoenix AZ 85009
Individuals can search and view images of case records for free at the Archives facility. For additional information, one may contact the state archives at (602) 926-3720 or (602) 256-7982 (fax).
Pima County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court case records contain details about non-criminal disputes filed or resolved in a civil court. In Pima County, the justice courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear all civil matters when the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less. They also hear small claims cases ($3,500 or less in dispute). Meanwhile, the superior court presides over civil cases worth $10,000 or higher in damages. The superior court also hears other cases, including probate (estates, wills) and marriage dissolution or annulment (divorces) cases.
To obtain a civil case record tried in Pima County, inquirers should visit the courthouse that received the case filing, or they may access the online case search portal of the respective court (see above). One may also check with the state archives for superior court civil case records filed 50 years ago or earlier.
Pima County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records refer to the documents and information generated from criminal cases (e.g., homicide, sexual crimes, theft, aggravated assault) tried in criminal court. Pima County criminal court cases are heard in the superior and justice courts. The justice courts handle all misdemeanor crimes occurring in the county. Meanwhile, the superior court hears felony cases and misdemeanor cases outside the justice courts' jurisdiction.
As explained earlier, one may contact/visit the relevant court (where a case was filed) to access criminal court case records or access the presiding court's online case management system.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Members of the public can look up civil and criminal case records for free via search portals provided by the Pima County superior and justice courts. However, when a person submits a records request for physical or electronic copies, the individual will most likely pay a fee (consolidated justice court fees; superior court fees) for the clerk's office to reproduce the record(s) of interest.
In some instances, inquirers may find free court records on non-government-run or third-party websites. However, the requester may need to subscribe or pay a fee to obtain comprehensive court records from an independent provider.
Courts in Pima County, Arizona
Pima County has superior and justice courts. Whereas the superior court has only one branch, the justice courts have nine precincts in Pima County, seven of which are located at the Pima County Consolidated Justice Courthouse. Below is a list of courthouse locations, including contact numbers, in Pima County:
Arizona Superior Court, Pima County
110 West Congress Street
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 724-4200
Pima County Consolidated Justice Court (Precincts #1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10)
240 North Stone Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 724-3171
Ajo Justice Court (Precinct #3)
111 W La Mina Avenue
Ajo, AZ 85321-2716
Phone: (520) 387-7684
Green Valley Justice Court (Precinct #7)
601 N La Cañada Drive
Green Valley, AZ 85614
Phone: (520) 222-0200
Fax: (520) 648-2235
Pima County Juvenile Court
2225 East Ajo Way
Tucson, AZ 85713
Phone: (520) 724-2000
