Yes, many DUI-related records are public in Arizona. However, what someone can actually see depends on the type of record. An arrest record, a court case, a police report, and an Arizona MVD driving record are all handled differently.
If you were recently arrested for or convicted of a DUI, it’s natural to worry about your job, housing, background checks, or whether the record will follow you indefinitely. But having a DUI record does not mean every detail of your case is automatically available to everyone.
Let’s talk about public DUI records in Arizona, where they’re kept, and who may be able to access them.
Not sure what DUI requirements come next?
Yes, DUI Records Are Public in Arizona. What Does This Mean for You?
DUI arrest records being accessible in public does not mean “anyone can see everything instantly.”
Arizona courts, law enforcement agencies, and the Arizona MVD maintain different records connected to a DUI. What someone can access depends on:
- The type of DUI record
- Whether charges were filed and how the case was resolved
- Arizona record-access rules
- Who is requesting the information
For example, let’s say you’re from Phoenix and your case was dismissed.
The DUI arrest record may still exist in law enforcement files, while the related court record may show that the charges were dismissed. What another person or organization can see depends on the type of record being searched, the system being used, applicable Arizona access rules, and the purpose of the request.
A dismissal does not necessarily make every record connected to the arrest disappear, which is why it is important to understand the difference between arrest records, court records, police reports, and MVD driving records.
Different Types of Arizona DUI Court Records and What Information Is Accessible
As mentioned, a DUI can create records with several Arizona agencies, but the public does not have the same level of access to each one. Some court information can be searched online, while police reports require a records request. MVD driving records have additional privacy restrictions.
Here’s what someone may be able to find from each type of record:
1. DUI Arrest Record
A DUI arrest record is created the moment you’re arrested. Even if the case is later dismissed, the record may still exist.
Depending on the agency and the records available, someone may be able to find:
- Your name
- Date and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency
- Alleged offense or charges
- Basic booking or arrest information
However, an arrest record only shows that an arrest occurred. It does not mean you were convicted of DUI. If charges were filed, the outcome of the case is generally found in the court record instead.
Expert Note: Arizona law provides public access to many government records, but certain law enforcement information may be withheld or redacted when required by law.
2. Police and DUI Arrest Reports
These are the detailed reports officers write about the incident. They often include field sobriety test results, breath or blood alcohol readings, officer observations, and notes about the arrest.
Depending on what the agency can release, a police report may include:
- The officer’s description of the traffic stop
- Observations about driving behavior or signs of impairment
- Statements made during the investigation
- Field sobriety test information
- Breath or blood testing information
- Details about the arrest
DUI police reports are NOT included in Arizona’s online court case lookup. To obtain a specific police report, someone needs to request it from the law enforcement agency that created or maintains the report.
3. DUI Court Records
Once DUI charges are filed in an Arizona court, information about the case and its outcome becomes part of the court record. Depending on the court and case, publicly accessible information may include the charges, case activity, disposition, and certain court documents.
Depending on the court and case, someone searching Arizona DUI court records may be able to find:
- Your name
- Case number
- Court handling the case
- Charges filed against you
- Case status
- Hearing or case activity
- Disposition or outcome of the case
- Certain publicly available court documents or minute entries
The Arizona Judicial Branch provides online public access to case information from participating courts. Its eAccess system also provides access to qualifying Superior Court civil and criminal case records filed on or after July 1, 2010.
Sealed, confidential, and otherwise restricted records are not available to the public through these systems.
4. Driving Records (DMV or MVD)
Separate from criminal court records, your driving record tracks license suspensions, points, and DUI-related administrative actions. Insurance companies rely heavily on this information to set rates.
An Arizona Motor Vehicle Record may contain information such as:
- Traffic violations or convictions recorded on your driving history
- Points
- Driver’s license status
- License suspensions or other MVD actions
ADOT states that requests for MVD records containing personal identifying information are subject to the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and the requester must have a permissible use for obtaining that information.
Expert Note: You can obtain your own Motor Vehicle Record through Arizona MVD if you want to see what is currently listed on your driving history.
Who Can See My Arizona DUI Court Records?
Who can access information about a DUI depends on the type of record involved. Court records, police reports, arrest records, and Arizona MVD driving records are maintained separately and have different access rules.
Law enforcement: May access arrest records, police reports, court records, and other information when authorized for official purposes.
Courts: Maintain records related to charges, case activity, dispositions, and other filings.
Employers and background screening companies: What appears depends on the type of background check, the records searched, applicable laws, and how the DUI case was resolved.
Landlords and rental screening companies: May obtain certain information through background screening services, depending on the records searched and applicable rules.
Insurance companies: May obtain qualifying information from driving records when determining rates or coverage.
Members of the public: Certain Arizona court information may be publicly searchable, but police reports, MVD records, sealed records, confidential information, and other restricted records are handled differently.
The important distinction is that a DUI does not create one single record that everyone can access in the same way. Different agencies maintain different information, and access depends on the type of record and the person requesting it.
How to Find a DUI Record in Arizona
Start with the court system that handled the case. Arizona offers a statewide case lookup, while Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties also provide their own court-record tools.
Expert Note: Not every DUI is handled in Superior Court. Many misdemeanor DUI cases are filed in municipal or justice courts. Always search where the case was filed.
Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access
The Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access to Court Case Information system is a good starting point if you are not sure which court handled the DUI.
The database includes case information from most Arizona courts and allows users to search by name or case number. Depending on the case, you may be able to find information such as:
- The court handling the case
- Case number
- Charges
- Case status
- Disposition or outcome
Disclaimer: Not every Arizona court participates, and sealed or otherwise restricted cases will not appear. The Judicial Branch also notes that the online database is not the official court record.
Maricopa County Superior Court Records
If the DUI was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, you can search the court’s Criminal Court Case Information system.
Searches can be made using:
- Name
- Initials and date of birth
- Case number
The system provides access to criminal case information and may also include court calendars and minute entries. If the DUI was handled by a Maricopa County Justice Court, use the separate case search instead.
Pima County Superior Court Records
For a DUI filed in Pima County Superior Court, use the Pima County Superior Court record search provided through the Clerk of the Court. The court directs users to its online record-search system for Superior Court case information and documents.
If your DUI was filed in Tucson City Court or another limited-jurisdiction court, you will need to search that court’s records instead. Pima County’s court resources provide separate links for these systems.
Pinal County Superior Court Records
If your case was filed in Pinal County Superior Court, you can search qualifying criminal court records through Arizona’s eAccess system. Pinal County directs users looking for Superior Court criminal and civil documents to that portal.
For DUI cases handled in a Pinal County Justice Court, use the county’s separate Justice Court Case Lookup. Justice Courts handle misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases.
Arizona MVD Driving Records
If you want to see what appears on your Arizona driving record rather than your court record, request your Motor Vehicle Record through the Arizona MVD.
Eligible Arizona residents can obtain and print their own MVR online through AZ MVD Now. You can also request a copy using the Motor Vehicle Record Request form. ADOT currently offers both three-year uncertified and five-year certified driving records.
Are DUI Arrest Records Public in Arizona Even Without a Conviction?
Yes, a DUI arrest record can still exist in Arizona even if you were never convicted. An arrest does not automatically disappear just because charges were dismissed, you were found not guilty, or the case did not lead to a conviction.
This is why people sometimes say, “I beat the case, but it still shows up.” They’re not wrong.
Does an Arizona DUI Show Up on a Background Check?
Yes, an Arizona DUI can show up on a background check. What appears depends on the type of background check, the records searched, and how the DUI case was resolved.
A background check may find the charges and case outcome. A dismissed case may also remain in court records unless it has been sealed.
How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Arizona?
There is no single timeline for how long a DUI remains visible because an Arizona DUI can create several different types of records.
Court records
A criminal DUI case can remain part of the court record even after the sentence and other requirements have been completed. The record may show the charges, disposition, and other publicly available case information unless access is later restricted under Arizona law.
Arizona MVD records
Your driving record is maintained separately from your criminal court record. It may include traffic convictions, points, license suspensions, and other MVD actions. What appears depends on the type of Motor Vehicle Record requested and the information maintained by Arizona MVD.
Background checks
What appears on a background check depends on the records searched, the screening provider, applicable laws, and how the DUI case was resolved.
Insurance records
Insurance companies may consider DUI-related information found in qualifying driving records when determining rates or coverage. How long that information affects your insurance can vary by insurer and individual circumstances.
Because these records are maintained separately, it helps to check both your court record and your Arizona MVD driving record if you want to understand what information is currently associated with your DUI.
Can an Arizona DUI Record Be Set Aside?
Yes. An eligible Arizona DUI conviction may be set aside after the required conditions of the sentence have been completed. But a set-aside does not erase the DUI from the record.
What Does a Set-Aside Mean in Arizona?
A set-aside is a form of post-conviction relief that may be available after a person completes the sentence and other required conditions.
A set-aside does not erase the DUI or make it as though the case never happened. Instead, the court record can reflect that the judgment was set aside after the required obligations were completed.
Eligibility and the effect of a set-aside depend on the circumstances of the case, so speak with an Arizona attorney if you want to know whether this option may apply to you.
Can an Arizona DUI Record Be Sealed?
Arizona law may allow certain criminal case records to be sealed in qualifying circumstances. Eligibility depends on factors such as how the case was resolved and whether the requirements for sealing have been met.
Sealing is different from completing DUI screening, education, or treatment. Stonewall DUI Services helps clients complete required Arizona DUI services online but does not provide legal advice or determine whether someone qualifies for a set-aside or record sealing.
If you have questions about changing access to your DUI record, speak with an Arizona attorney about the options that may apply to your case.
| Read Next: Can I Be Successful After a DUI? An Expert Guide to DUI Expungement in Arizona |
What You Can Do After an Arizona DUI
Start by finding out exactly what is on your record and whether you still have any court or MVD requirements to complete. Avoid making decisions based on assumptions about what an employer, landlord, or someone else may see.
Above anything else, stay informed:
- Review your Arizona DUI court records and confirm how the case is listed.
- Check your Arizona MVD driving record if you need to understand your driving history or license-related actions.
- Make sure you have completed any required DUI screening, education, treatment, or other court and MVD requirements.
- Keep copies of your completion documents and other important records.
- Speak with an Arizona attorney if you have questions about setting aside or sealing your record.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a dismissed DUI still appear in Arizona court records?
It can. A dismissal does not automatically erase the court record. However, the record can also show that the charges were dismissed.
Is an Arizona DUI record the same as a criminal record?
Not exactly. If criminal DUI charges are filed, the court creates a criminal case record showing information such as the charges and case outcome. But the arresting law enforcement agency may maintain separate arrest and police records, while Arizona MVD maintains a separate driving record.
Can a DUI record affect professional licensing in Arizona?
It can, but a DUI does not automatically disqualify you from every professional license in Arizona. The effect depends on the licensing agency, the profession, the nature of the conviction, and the rules that apply to that license. Read more about managing DUIs as a professional here.
Will an Arizona DUI affect car insurance?
Yes, because insurers can obtain driving-record information that includes qualifying recent convictions. How much a DUI affects your premium or coverage will depend on the insurer and your individual driving history.
Can someone see whether I completed DUI classes or treatment?
Stonewall DUI Services handles client information confidentially. When reporting or documentation is required, completion information may be provided to the appropriate court, Arizona MVD, probation department, screening provider, or other authorized party involved in the compliance process.
Your DUI education or treatment records are handled separately from publicly searchable court case information.
Does completing DUI classes remove the DUI from my record?
No. Stonewall DUI Services handles client information confidentially. When reporting is required, completion information may be provided to the appropriate court, MVD, probation department, screening provider, or other required party.
Know What Comes Next After a DUI in Arizona With Stonewall DUI Services
Not every DUI arrest record is accessed in the same way. Court records, arrest records, police reports, and Arizona MVD driving records are maintained separately, and different access rules may apply to each one.
What you can control is making sure your required next steps are completed correctly.
If your court or Arizona MVD requirements include DUI screening, education, or treatment, Stonewall DUI Services can help you complete those requirements online through an Arizona-focused, professional, and confidential process.
We help you understand what is required, complete the appropriate DUI services, and provide required completion documentation to the appropriate parties when applicable.
Clear next steps can make the process easier to manage and help you move forward with confidence.
Knowledge is power, but action is what changes outcomes.
