Tempe City, Arizona Criminal Records
In the City and Municipality of Tempe, criminal records are generally collected by various institutions, such as the courts and the police. Such records consist of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, formal criminal charges, and any dispositions arising from those charges, including acquittals, sentencing, correctional supervision, or release.
The Tempe Municipal Court has limited jurisdiction over criminal cases. It typically handles lower-level criminal offenses carrying a maximum jail term of up to six months. Common examples of these types of offenses include first-offense Driving Under the Influence (DUI), domestic violence, petty theft, shoplifting, and disorderly crimes. The court also handles traffic violation cases, such as civil traffic tickets and criminal traffic offenses, reckless driving, or criminal speeding.
What are Tempe Public Records?
Arizona Public Records law requires all officers and public bodies to maintain records reasonably necessary to provide an accurate accounting of their official activities and of any other activities funded by government funds.
These bodies include the state, counties, cities, towns, school districts, political subdivisions, or special taxing districts, and any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council, or committee thereof. Examples of public records and other matters include calendars, reports, legal memoranda, policies and procedures, accident reports, training videos and materials, tape recordings of meetings without written minutes, personnel records, case files, and databases.
It is best to request public records from the agency that owns or created the record. It is also advised to keep the scope of your request as narrow and specific as possible. Doing so will save time and expense for all parties.
Tempe Crime Statistics
As one of the 24 major cities in Maricopa County, Arizona, Tempe city is a bustling urban hub in the Phoenix metropolitan area and is home to the Arizona State University (ASU), one of the largest public universities in the United States.
According to Arizona Crime Statistics, the number of crimes in the city of Tempe in the state of Arizona at the end of 2025 was 9,086. Tempe has a population of 191,348 and the crime rate per every 100,000 of the city's population is 4748.42.
Are Tempe Criminal Records Public?
Most criminal records are generally public, subject to statutory exemptions identified under Arizona law. The state, county, or city officers are required to open records in their possession for inspection by any person during normal office hours. Consequently, criminal-related records such as arrest logs, initial charges, court dockets, final dispositions, and sentencing details are typically made available to the public for inspection and copying.
While criminal records are generally public, certain records may be exempt under state law. Common examples of these records include juvenile records, records related to ongoing investigations, and cases that have been officially sealed or expunged under Arizona law. These records are typically kept confidential, and their dissemination is restricted to authorized entities or fingerprint-based background requests.
Depending on the type of action and the classification of the crime, the Tempe Municipal Court may be able to provide charges, court dockets, final dispositions, and sentencing details for some of these offenses. Common examples include lower-level criminal offenses carrying a maximum jail term of up to six months, as well as first-offense Driving Under the Influence (DUI), domestic violence, petty theft, shoplifting, and disorderly crimes.
City of Tempe
City Hall, 31 E. 5th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: 480-350-4311
How to Obtain Tempe Police Reports and Arrest Records
To submit a request for Tempe police reports and arrest records, visit the City of Tempe, AZ Records Request Portal.
- On the portal, select the New Request button→when prompted.
- Select the Tempe Police Public Records Request form
- Complete the form and:
- Drop off or mail to the address below
- Email to PD_RecordsRequests@tempe.gov
Mailing / Drop-Off Address
Tempe Police Department – Records
120 E. 5th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
Lobby Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Contact Information
Phone: 480-350-8588 (7 days a week, 5 a.m.–midnight)
Email: PD_RecordsRequests@tempe.gov
Commonly requested records include:
- Police or Traffic Accident Reports
- Arrest Reports/Citations
- Street Check / CAD Reports
- Audio (radio traffic, 911 calls, interviews)
- Images/Video (photos, body-worn camera, booking photos)
- Fingerprint cards
- Premise History / Name Search
The Tempe Police Department charges $5.00 for each police report and arrest reports/citations. Payment can be made securely through JustFOIA. Individuals can also pay a Personal Check or Money Order payable to the City of Tempe.
In Person (Records Section): Cash, Money Order, Personal Check, Visa, MasterCard, and Apple Pay.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Tempe
Individuals can use the online Arizona Department of Public Safety OffenderWatch Program or by checking the Arizona Sex Offender Compliance page. Individuals can use any of these resources to view The Sex Offender Registry and seek all published offenders within a specified radius of your home, business, school or other desired address.
What Happens if My Request for Criminal Records is Denied in Tempe?
If a request for a criminal record is denied and the requester is confident that the record does not fall under one of the exceptions specified for non-disclosure by law. State law allows citizens to complain to the office of the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide regarding the actions of the agency. The ombudsman typically investigates such situations and can recommend a suggestion to the office of the governor, the legislature, or the appropriate prosecutor. Public agencies can be persuaded by these recommendations and may release the requested record.
Alternatively, if a person has been denied access to a public record, they can appeal the denial through a special action in the appropriate Arizona Superior Court.
How to Expunge or Seal Tempe Criminal Records
Tempe City follows the Arizona criminal records clearing system, which offers 3 different remedies depending on the case and its outcome.
Record Sealing
Under A.R.S §13-911, courts may seal records of criminal convictions if the offender has served the corresponding sentence period, the required waiting period has elapsed, and a petition has been filed at the court that gave the sentence. The waiting period ranges from ten years for Class 2 and 3 felonies, to five years for Class 4, 5 and 6 felonies, and two to three years for Class 1 or lower grade misdemeanors.
Local case petitions can be filed in the Tempe Municipal Court for city misdemeanor cases or the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County for felony cases).
Sex crimes, violent crimes, and other dangerous offenses are generally not eligible for expungement under A.R.S §13-3821. Once granted, the record is removed from public view. It is important to note that sealing is not tantamount to erasure. The record is only hidden from the public’s view. The courts and criminal justice agencies still may have access to the record should the individual be tried for a subsequent offense.
Set - Aside
When a judge grants a set aside order, the judgement surrounding guilt is officially uprooted, the charging document is dismissed, and the individual is released from most penalties and disabilities which occurred from the conviction as provided under A.R.S §13-905. Conclusively, records remain visible even when set aside.
Expungement
True expungement is available where record is physically destroyed as if the event never took place is strictly limited to specific marijuana offenses under Proposition 207 (A.R.S §36-2862) and when granted, it is eligible for full erasure available in Arizona.