Mohave County Criminal Records
What Is Mohave County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Mohave County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, which establishes the framework for public records in the state.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions and arrests made by the Mohave County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, including booking information and initial charges
- Court Records: Case files maintained by the Mohave County Courts detailing arraignments, hearings, pleas, trials, and case dispositions
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas, including sentencing information
- Incarceration Records: Details about periods of confinement in the Mohave County Jail or state correctional facilities
It is important to distinguish between different types of criminal records:
- Arrest vs. Conviction Records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody but does not indicate guilt. Conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea.
- Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration.
- Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (under 18) are typically sealed and confidential under Arizona Revised Statutes § 8-208.
- Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Mohave County:
Mohave County Sheriff's Office
700 W. Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
(928) 753-0753
Mohave County Sheriff's Office
Clerk of the Superior Court
401 E. Spring Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
(928) 753-0713
Clerk of Superior Court
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2102 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
(602) 223-2000
Arizona Department of Public Safety
A comprehensive criminal record typically includes documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole information.
Are Criminal Records Public In Mohave County
Criminal records in Mohave County are generally considered public documents under Arizona law. The Arizona Public Records Law establishes that "Public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours." This statutory provision creates a presumption of openness for government records, including most criminal records.
The Arizona Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access government records, including criminal justice information, as demonstrated in the landmark case Carlson v. Pima County, which affirmed that public records laws should be interpreted broadly in favor of disclosure.
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Several important exceptions exist:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
- Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not available to the public
- Juvenile Records: Records involving minors are generally confidential under Arizona Revised Statutes § 8-208, with limited exceptions
- Expunged Records: Criminal records that have been expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access
- Victim Information: Certain victim information may be redacted to protect privacy
The following criminal records are typically available for public inspection:
- Adult arrest records
- Court case information for adult defendants
- Conviction records
- Incarceration records
- Active warrants (with some exceptions)
- Sex offender registry information
The Mohave County public records request process provides the mechanism through which members of the public may access these records, subject to applicable fees and processing times. Requests must be reasonably specific and may require proper identification, particularly for sensitive information.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Mohave County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Mohave County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county currently maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches:
Online Search Options:
- Access the Mohave County Courts case search portal to search for court cases by name, case number, or other identifiers.
- Visit the Mohave County Sheriff's inmate search database to locate current detention information.
- Check the active warrants database maintained by the Mohave County Courts.
In-Person Record Requests:
For comprehensive criminal history information or records not available online, individuals may submit requests in person at:
Mohave County Sheriff's Office Records Division
700 W. Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(928) 753-0753
Clerk of the Superior Court
401 E. Spring Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(928) 753-0713
When requesting criminal records in person, requestors should:
- Complete the official public records request form
- Provide specific information about the records sought (full name, date of birth, case numbers if known)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (currently $5-$25 depending on record type and certification requirements)
- Allow processing time as specified by the agency (typically 5-10 business days)
For statewide criminal history information, the Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains the central repository and provides record checks for authorized purposes.
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121.03, agencies may require requestors to certify that the records will not be used for commercial purposes, as different fee structures apply to commercial use.
How To Find Criminal Records in Mohave County Online?
Mohave County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer convenient access to various components of the criminal justice system:
Court Case Information: The Mohave County Courts online portal serves as the primary resource for accessing court case information. Users can search by:
- Defendant name (last name, first name)
- Case number
- Citation number
- Date range of filing
This database includes information on criminal cases filed in Superior Court and Justice Courts within Mohave County. Search results typically display:
- Case number and filing date
- Charges filed
- Case status (active/closed)
- Scheduled hearings
- Case disposition
- Sentencing information (when applicable)
No registration is required for basic searches, though some detailed document access may require creation of a user account.
Inmate and Custody Information: The Mohave County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides real-time information about individuals currently detained in county facilities. This searchable database includes:
- Inmate name and booking photo
- Booking date
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled court dates
Warrant Information: Active warrants can be verified through the Mohave County Courts warrant search. This database allows users to search for outstanding warrants by name. The system displays:
- Warrant type
- Issuing court
- Case number
- Issue date
Sex Offender Registry: The Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains the Arizona Sex Offender Information Center, which includes registrants in Mohave County. This database allows searches by:
- Name
- Address/zip code
- City/county
Limitations of Online Records: While online resources provide significant access, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Historical records (older than 10-15 years) may not be digitized
- Sealed or expunged records are not accessible
- Juvenile records are generally not available online
- Detailed case documents often require in-person requests
- Some information may be redacted for privacy or security reasons
For comprehensive criminal history reports, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Records Request portal remains the authoritative source, though access is restricted to authorized purposes under state law.
Can You Search Mohave County Criminal Records for Free?
Mohave County provides several options for free access to criminal records, consistent with Arizona's public records laws. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, public records must be available for inspection during regular office hours at no charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents.
Free In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect criminal records at no cost at the following locations:
Mohave County Superior Court Clerk's Office
401 E. Spring Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(928) 753-0713
Mohave County Sheriff's Office Records Division
700 W. Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(928) 753-0753
When conducting free in-person inspections, visitors should:
- Bring valid government-issued photo identification
- Be prepared to complete a records request form
- Specify the records being sought with reasonable particularity
- Note that while inspection is free, copying fees will apply if printed documents are needed
Free Online Resources: Several online databases provide free access to criminal record information:
-
The Mohave County Courts case search offers free basic searches of court cases without registration requirements.
-
The Mohave County Sheriff's Office inmate search provides free access to current detention information.
-
The active warrants database allows free searches for outstanding warrants in Mohave County.
Fee-Based Services: While inspection is free, the following services typically incur fees:
- Printed copies of records ($0.50 per page is the standard fee)
- Certified copies of court documents ($17.00 per document)
- Background checks through the Arizona Department of Public Safety ($20-$25)
- Expedited processing
- Commercial use of public records
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121.03, agencies may charge additional fees when records are requested for commercial purposes, requiring a certified statement regarding intended use.
What's Included in a Mohave County Criminal Record?
A comprehensive criminal record in Mohave County typically contains multiple categories of information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content may vary based on the case complexity and the maintaining agency, but generally includes:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed
- Probable cause statement
- Bail or bond information
- Pre-trial detention status
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Superior Court, Justice Court)
- Charging documents
- Statutory citations for alleged offenses
- Classification of charges (felony class or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment programs
- Post-conviction relief filings
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective orders or injunctions
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history summary
The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official court records, while arrest and booking information is maintained by the Mohave County Sheriff's Office. The Arizona Department of Public Safety serves as the central repository for comprehensive criminal history information statewide.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account information
- Victim identifying information in certain cases
- Medical and mental health information
- Information related to minors
How Long Does Mohave County Keep Criminal Records?
Mohave County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-151.12, which authorizes the Director of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records to establish retention periods for government documents. These schedules vary by record type and severity of offense.
Court Records Retention:
- Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained for serious felonies (homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping); 75 years for other felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case disposition
- Traffic Violations: 5 years after case disposition
- Domestic Violence Cases: 25 years after case disposition
- Court Dockets and Indexes: Permanently maintained
- Grand Jury Records: Permanently maintained
Law Enforcement Records Retention:
- Arrest Reports: 25 years for felonies; 7 years for misdemeanors
- Investigation Reports: 25 years for felonies; 7 years for misdemeanors; permanently for homicide and sex crimes
- Booking Records: 7 years after release from custody
- Fingerprint Cards: Permanently maintained
- Mugshot Photographs: 25 years for felonies; 7 years for misdemeanors
- Incident Reports: 5 years after creation
Corrections Records Retention:
- Inmate Files: 10 years after release from custody
- Jail Logs: 7 years after creation
- Visitation Records: 3 years after creation
Special Circumstances:
- Juvenile Records: Generally sealed when the individual turns 18, with exceptions for serious offenses
- Expunged Records: Removed from public access pursuant to court order, though some agencies may retain sealed versions for limited purposes
- Capital Cases: All records permanently maintained
- Sex Offenses: Records typically maintained for extended periods (75 years to permanent)
The Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains criminal history information in the central repository indefinitely, unless a court orders expungement.
Digital conversion efforts are currently underway to preserve older paper records, but some historical records may only be available in physical format at the Mohave County Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Lookup Criminal Records in Mohave County
Mohave County Sheriff's Office
Mohave County Courts Case Information
Clerk of Superior Court Records
Arizona Department of Public Safety Records