Criminal records in Navajo County, Arizona, are available through several channels. NavajoCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court system, county law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff's office, and through the Clerk of the Court. Below are practical instructions on how to search, understand, and obtain criminal records in Navajo County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Navajo
There are several ways to find criminal records in Navajo County. Each is suitable for different situations—from a quick online check to an official written request.
What You Need to Start the Search
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number, if you have it
Online Search
- NavajoCourt.us — start here for a quick search of publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- Public Access Case Lookup — Arizona's judicial branch portal covering cases from 153 of the state's 180 courts, including Navajo County courts. Search is possible by name or case number.
- Inmate Housing Report — the sheriff's office publishes a list of individuals currently held in the Navajo County Detention Center. It includes booking number, name, and date.
- Detention Division — additional information about inmates, including jail search and general inmate information.
In-Person Visit
For Superior Court cases, contact the Clerk of the Court — the official keeper of court records. The four divisions of the Superior Court are located in the Navajo County Complex in Holbrook. Justice Courts handle their own cases — for records, contact the specific Justice Court that handled the case.
Mail or Written Request
- Court Records: for Superior Court records, call the Clerk of Superior Court at 928-524-4188 or use the Public Records Request page.
- State-Level Criminal History: The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the central repository for the state's criminal records. Copies are limited to authorized persons and agencies. Details are on the DPS Criminal History Records page.
Note: Part of Navajo County overlaps with Navajo Nation lands. Records related to tribal jurisdiction are kept separately in the Navajo Nation Police Information Management Section.
Search Navajo Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, the search is significantly simplified. In Arizona, case numbers typically have the following structure:
- Court Prefix — a code identifying the specific court (e.g., Superior Court or Justice Court)
- Case Type — a letter designation of the category: CR means criminal case, TR means traffic violation
- Year — a two or four-digit number indicating the year the case was filed
- Sequential Number — a unique sequential number within the year
Example: S0100CR202300123, where S0100 is the court code, CR is the criminal case, 2023 is the year, 00123 is the sequential number. Enter this number into the Public Access Case Lookup portal for instant access to case details. The exact format may vary slightly between Superior Court and Justice Courts.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Navajo
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.), for example, A.R.S. § 13-1203 for assault |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime, classes 1–6), Misdemeanor (offense, classes 1–3), Petty Offense (minor violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case — this is reflected in the record as an amended charge |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — the case is actively being reviewed by the court
- Disposed — the court has issued a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are complete, the case is closed
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant is read the charges and states whether they plead guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (for felony)
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss procedural issues before the trial
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — issuing a sentence after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after review |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — the prosecutor dropped the charges or the court dismissed the case |
| Acquitted | Acquitted — the court or jury found the defendant not guilty |
| Pled Guilty | The defendant pleaded guilty with or without an agreement |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Navajo
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration. Here's where to go.
Clerk of the Superior Court
The Clerk of the Superior Court is the official keeper of Superior Court records, including felony-level criminal cases.
For Justice Court records, contact the respective Justice Court directly. Contact information can be found on the county's Public Records Request page.
General County Public Records Request
Navajo County accepts public records requests through a contact person:
Arizona Department of Public Safety (for state-level criminal history)
DPS maintains a centralized Criminal History Record repository. Access to these records is limited — copies are issued only to authorized persons and agencies in accordance with A.R.S. § 41-1750. Employers and state licensing agencies submit requests through the DPS portal.
What You Need to Submit a Request
- Completed request form (depends on the institution)
- Valid photo ID
- Fingerprints — for criminal history check through DPS
- Payment of the applicable fee
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Navajo
Fees depend on the type of request and the institution. Exact amounts should be confirmed directly with the office, as they may change.
| Service | Estimated Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 per page | Clerk of the Superior Court (standard Arizona courts rate) |
| Document certification | $26.00 per document | Clerk of the Superior Court (according to A.R.S. § 12-284) |
| Criminal history check through DPS (fingerprint-based) | $22.00+ | Arizona DPS; may include additional fingerprint processing fee |
| County public records request | A copying fee may be charged | Navajo County — confirm when submitting the request |
Processing Time
- Online search through court portal — results are instant
- Copies from the Clerk of the Court — usually from a few business days to two weeks, depending on the volume of the request
- Criminal history through DPS — processing can take from a few days to several weeks
- Written requests by mail — add time for mail delivery
For current fees and processing times, contact the Clerk of the Court or the Superior Court directly.