What Do Criminal Records Consist of in Arizona?
There is plenty of information in Arizona criminal records. This includes details about a person’s convictions, dispositions, indictments, and arrests. More specifically, criminal records in Arizona contain information like the person’s name and known aliases, past and outstanding arrest warrants, and past and current criminal offenses and indictments. Other info in these criminal records includes:
Mugshot and fingerprints
Conviction and inmate records
Race
Sex
Age/Birth Date
Other identifying personal information
Arrest records are similar to this. Arrest records are official law enforcement documents describing the apprehensions and detentions of people who allegedly committed crimes. However, arrest records do not mean that the person arrested is actually guilty of or pleaded guilty to their alleged crimes.
How Can Someone Use Criminal Records?
One of the primary uses of criminal records is employers accessing said records as part of a pre-employment background check. However, only non-profit organizations can get Arizona state criminal history information for employment purposes. No other private companies can access this information for those purposes. It is important to note that in the state of Arizona, if a potential employer asks to hear about any prior convictions you may have, they must include a statement that a prior conviction will not completely bar you from employment. Additionally, courts may use criminal records to determine sentences for crimes that the same person commits at a later time.
Can Someone Else Access Your Criminal Records?
In the state of Arizona, you are the only person that can request your criminal records aside from law enforcement agencies. The Criminal History Records Section is the central repository for all criminal records in the state of Arizona. In many states, other people can request copies of your criminal records if they have acceptable reasons for doing so. However, in Arizona, only authorized individuals or agencies can request copies of your criminal records.
How Can You Request A Criminal Record?
If you want to request a criminal record, you start off by requesting a Record Review Packet from the Criminal History Records Section. You can call them at 602-223-2222 to do so. In the Record Review Packet, you get the following:
Instructions
Blank applicant fingerprint card
Contact information sheet
Pre-addressed return envelope
You will get a mailed response to your request within 15 days of the receipt of the completed Record Review Packet. This response will not include any personal information about you. You can find the Record Review Packet Instructions here.