Search Yuma Felony Records

Yuma felony records are held by two main sources in this part of Arizona. The Yuma Police Department keeps arrest data, incident reports, and case files at their records unit on South First Avenue. All felony court cases go through Yuma County Superior Court since the city does not have its own felony court. The Yuma Municipal Court only deals with misdemeanor charges and local code violations. When you need to look up a felony case from Yuma, you should start with the county court system or ask the police for arrest records. Lots of people search for these records when they want to check on old cases, run background checks, or get proof of their own criminal history in Yuma.

Yuma Police Department Records Unit

The Yuma Police Department runs its own records unit for local arrest data and incident files. This is where you go to get police reports, case files, and background letters. The unit is at 1500 S First Avenue in Yuma. You can call them at (928) 373-4700 for questions about records. Email is also an option if you send your request to YPDRecAssist@yumaaz.gov. Staff can help you figure out what records exist and how to get them.

Yuma PD uses an online portal for records requests. The Yuma Police Records Portal lets you ask for reports without going to the station in person. You fill out a form with the details of what you need. Staff will review it and get back to you with the cost and wait time. This works well if you cannot make it to the records unit during normal hours. Online requests still need payment before you get the files.

The records unit keeps track of all arrests made by Yuma PD. But keep in mind that this is just one piece of the puzzle. If the case went to court, those files are at the county level. The police can give you the arrest report, but the court holds the charging docs, plea, and sentence. For a full look at any felony case, you may need records from both places.

Yuma Police Records Fees

The Yuma Police Department has set fees for different types of records. A case report costs $10 plus a $9 processing fee. Background checks also run $10 plus the $9 fee. These charges cover the staff time needed to pull and review the files. Payment is due when you pick up the records or before they send them to you. The department takes credit cards, money orders, and cashier's checks.

Digital media requests cost more because of the time needed to review video files. The fee is $46 per hour for body camera footage or other digital media. This covers the time staff spend going through the video to redact faces and other private info that should not be public. If your request involves a lot of footage, the cost can add up fast. Call ahead to get an estimate before you ask for video files.

Note: Fees can change. Call (928) 373-4700 to confirm current rates before you send payment.

Yuma Felonies Go to Yuma County Court

All felony cases in Yuma are handled by the Yuma County Superior Court. The city does not have a felony court. When someone faces charges for a serious crime like robbery, assault with a weapon, or drug trafficking, the case goes to Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 250 W. 2nd Street in Yuma. That is where felony trials take place. The Clerk of Superior Court holds all the case files from these matters.

You can reach the Yuma County Clerk of Superior Court at (928) 817-4210. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. They can tell you the status of a case and whether files are open to the public. If you need copies of documents, the clerk's office will print them for a fee. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $30 to $35 per document on top of the page fee. Research fees may apply if you need staff to dig through older records.

The Yuma County felony records page has more info on the county court system. It covers the clerk's office, sheriff records, and online search tools. If you were arrested for a felony in Yuma city, that page will help you find your case files at the county level.

Search Yuma Felony Cases Online

Arizona has statewide tools that let you search Yuma cases from home. The Arizona Public Access Case Lookup covers courts across the state. It is free to use. You type in a name or case number and see what comes up. The results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and the assigned judge. This is a good first step when you need to find a Yuma felony case.

This portal is free and works on any device.

For full documents, Arizona runs the eAccess portal. This system shows the actual filings from court cases, not just a list of dates and charges. You can preview the first page of any document for free. To see all pages, you pay $10 per document. Attorneys and background check firms often get monthly subscriptions. Casual users pay per document when they need one. If you want to see the charging docs or sentencing order from a Yuma felony case, eAccess is the way to get them.

The Arizona DPS portal handles statewide criminal history requests. This is separate from court records but shows arrests and dispositions from across the state.

Arizona Felony Laws in Yuma

Arizona law shapes how felony records work in Yuma. The state uses a class system for felonies. Class 1 is the most serious, like first degree murder. Class 6 is the least serious, like some drug possession charges. Each class carries different sentencing ranges. The sentence also affects how long you must wait if you want to seal your record later on.

A.R.S. Section 41-1750 sets up the Central State Repository at the Arizona Department of Public Safety. This is the statewide database for criminal records. All arrests and case outcomes in Arizona get reported there, including arrests made by Yuma PD. However, DPS cannot run background checks for private employers or regular citizens. You must use court records or a third party service for that purpose. The law limits access to the state repository to authorized agencies only.

If you have a felony conviction from a Yuma case, you may be able to seal your record under A.R.S. Section 13-911. Arizona passed this law in 2022. It lets people petition to seal their record after they finish their sentence and wait the required time. For Class 2 or 3 felonies, the wait is 10 years. Class 4, 5, or 6 felonies require 5 years. Some offenses cannot be sealed at all. These include dangerous crimes against children, sex trafficking, and certain violent felonies.

How to Get Yuma Felony Records

Getting felony records from Yuma depends on what type of file you need. For arrest records and police reports, contact the Yuma Police Department Records Unit. You can visit in person at 1500 S First Avenue. Call ahead at (928) 373-4700 to make sure they have what you need. You can also submit a request through the online portal or send an email to YPDRecAssist@yumaaz.gov. The staff will tell you the cost and how long it will take.

For court records from a felony case, you need to go through Yuma County. The Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of case files. You can search cases online for free using the Arizona Public Access tool. If you need copies of documents, request them from the clerk's office at 250 W. 2nd Street in Yuma. Fees run $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $30 to $35 per document plus the page fee. The clerk takes cash, money orders, and credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted at most Arizona court offices.

The Yuma County Sheriff's Office holds booking records and jail data. Their records unit is at 160 S. 3rd Avenue, Suite B. Call (928) 783-4427 for info. The sheriff can give you arrest reports and booking info. But for court documents, you must go to the Superior Court. Each office has its own fees and wait times. Plan ahead if you need records by a certain date.

Sealing Yuma Felony Records

Arizona now lets people seal certain felony records. This option was not around until the state passed a new law in 2022. The process works through the court that handled your case. For Yuma felonies, that means filing a petition with Yuma County Superior Court. The petition asks the court to seal all records tied to your case. If granted, the public can no longer see those files.

To qualify, you must have finished your full sentence. This includes prison time, probation, parole, and any fines or restitution. After that, you wait the required period based on your felony class. Class 2 and 3 felonies have a 10 year wait. Class 4, 5, and 6 felonies have a 5 year wait. Once you meet these conditions, you can file the petition. The court will review it and make a decision.

Some crimes cannot be sealed no matter how much time has passed. Dangerous offenses, crimes against children, and certain violent felonies fall into this category. Sex crimes and human trafficking are also off the table. If your offense is on the exclusion list, you cannot seal that record in Arizona. Talk to a lawyer if you are not sure whether your case qualifies for sealing.

Yuma Municipal Court Records

The Yuma Municipal Court does not hear felony cases. It only has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and city code violations. Misdemeanors are crimes with a max jail time of six months. Examples include minor theft, first offense DUI, and disorderly conduct. If you are looking for a felony case, the Municipal Court will not have it. You need to go to Yuma County Superior Court instead.

That said, the Municipal Court can be useful in some cases. Sometimes a charge starts as a felony and gets reduced to a misdemeanor through a plea deal. In those situations, the final record may end up at the city court level. If you are not sure where a case wound up, check both the city and county court systems to be safe. The Yuma Municipal Court is part of the city government. Contact them for info on misdemeanor cases and traffic tickets handled by city police.

Legal Help in Yuma

If you need legal help with a felony case in Yuma, there are resources to consider. The Yuma County Public Defender handles cases for people who cannot afford a private attorney. You can ask the court to appoint a public defender if you qualify based on income. This only applies to criminal cases where you face jail time. Civil matters like sealing your record may not be covered.

Southern Arizona Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low income residents. They can help with some criminal record matters like sealing petitions. Call their office to see if they can take your case. Private attorneys in Yuma also handle felony cases and record sealing. Check the State Bar of Arizona website for a list of licensed attorneys in the Yuma area. Many offer free consultations to discuss your situation.

The Yuma County Law Library has forms and guides for people who want to handle their own legal matters. You can find petition forms for sealing records and instructions on how to file them. The library is at the courthouse in Yuma. Staff can point you to the right forms but cannot give legal advice.

Felony Records in Other Arizona Cities

Yuma sits in the southwest corner of Arizona, far from the main metro areas. If you need felony records from other parts of the state, each city has its own police department with separate arrest files. Click on a city below to learn more about local records access in that area.

All felony cases in Arizona cities go to the county Superior Court. For arrest records, contact each city's police department directly.

Yuma County Felony Record Resources

For detailed info on the county court system that handles Yuma felonies, visit the Yuma County felony records page. It covers the Superior Court Clerk, Clerk of Court fees, and sheriff's office records. You will also find links to online case search tools and document request info. The county page has all the details on how to get certified copies and what to expect when you ask for files.

The county page also covers the inmate search tool run by the Yuma County Sheriff. This free tool shows who is currently in the county jail. If you want to know if someone is being held in Yuma County right now, that is the place to look. The search updates regularly so results stay current. For past booking history, you need to contact the sheriff records unit directly.