Search Graham County Felony Records

Graham County felony records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Safford, the county seat. This rural county in southeastern Arizona handles fewer cases than urban areas, but the process for getting criminal case files works the same as anywhere in the state. The Superior Court is the only court that hears felony charges. When you need to find a criminal case from Graham County, the clerk office is your main source. The sheriff also holds arrest records and runs the county jail. Both offices can help you piece together the full story of a felony matter. Searching here takes patience but the records are available to the public under Arizona law.

Graham County Clerk of Superior Court

The Graham County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all felony case files in the county. When prosecutors file charges, when defense lawyers file motions, and when judges issue orders, all these documents go into the case file. The clerk stores these records and makes them available to the public. Criminal cases from arraignment through sentencing create a paper trail that lives in this office for years.

You can find the clerk at 800 West Main Street in Safford, Arizona 85546. The phone number is 928-428-3100. Staff can answer questions about specific cases or explain the request process. If you need to send documents, the fax number is 928-428-0061. Safford is about a three hour drive from Tucson and over four hours from Phoenix. Most people handle requests by mail or online rather than driving out to this remote part of the state for Graham County felony records.

The Graham County Clerk of the Superior Court website has details on services and contact information.

The clerk office staff can help you figure out what records exist and guide you through the process of getting copies. Call before visiting to confirm hours.

Graham County Felony Record Fees

Getting felony records from Graham County costs money. The fee schedule follows what most Arizona courts charge, with a few local details. Search fees run $30 if you need staff to look up a case. This covers the time spent going through indexes when you do not have a case number. If you know the exact case, you can skip this fee and just pay for copies.

Paper copies cost $0.50 per page. This is the standard rate across Arizona courts. A 20 page case file would run $10 in copy fees. Digital copies offer another option at $7 flat. This works well if you want electronic files instead of paper. Certified copies with the court seal cost more, typically $30 per document plus page fees. Employers and government agencies often need certified versions to prove the documents are genuine. The total adds up quick on longer case files from Graham County felony matters.

Graham County accepts online payments through azcourtpay.com, the statewide court payment site. You can use a credit card or debit card. This makes it easy to pay from anywhere without mailing a check or money order. For in person visits, bring cash or a money order. Personal checks may or may not be accepted, so call ahead to confirm payment methods at the Graham County clerk office.

Note: Fees can change, so always verify current rates with the clerk before sending payment.

How to Get Graham County Felony Records

There are a few ways to request felony records from the Graham County Clerk of Superior Court. You can visit in person, send a written request by mail, or use online court portals for some documents. Each method has pros and cons. Picking the right one depends on what you need and where you live. Most people outside the area use mail or online options because Safford sits far from major cities.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the full name of the person whose record you want. Add any case numbers you have. Describe what documents you need from the felony case file. Include your contact information and a return address. Send payment for the expected cost. The clerk will process your request and mail copies back. This takes time but works well for simple requests. Complex searches may require follow up calls to clarify what you need from Graham County court files.

In person visits work best if you have time and want to see the full case file. You can review documents at the clerk office and pick which pages to copy. Bring photo ID. Staff will help you find the records and explain what is in the file. The office follows standard business hours on weekdays. The drive to Safford takes several hours from most parts of Arizona, so plan accordingly before making the trip for Graham County felony records.

Graham County Sheriff Felony Records

The Graham County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records separate from what the court holds. When deputies arrest someone on a felony charge, they create an arrest report. This document goes into the sheriff's files. The case then moves to the county attorney for prosecution and on to court. But the original arrest data stays with the sheriff. Both sources hold pieces of the puzzle when you research a criminal matter in Graham County.

The sheriff's main office sits at 600 W. Graham Canal Road in Safford. You can call them at 928-428-3141. The detention facility has a separate number at 928-428-2455. If you need to know whether someone is currently in jail, call the detention line. For records requests about past arrests, start with the main office. They can tell you what they have and how to get copies of Graham County felony arrest records.

Visit the Graham County Sheriff's Office website for more information about their services and contact options.

Sheriff records show what happened at arrest. Court records show what came after. Together they give a fuller picture of any felony case in Graham County.

Searching Graham County Cases Online

Arizona provides online tools for looking up court cases statewide. The Public Access Case Lookup covers courts across Arizona. You can search by name or case number. Graham County Superior Court cases appear in this system. The search costs nothing. It shows basic details like charges, hearing dates, and case status. This works well for a quick check on whether someone has a felony case in Graham County.

For the actual documents, use the Arizona eAccess portal. You can view and download court filings through this system. The first page of any document is free to preview. Viewing all pages costs $10 per document. Monthly subscriptions range from $80 to $10,000 for heavy users. Most casual users pay per document when they need something specific. This lets you get Graham County felony case documents without driving to Safford.

Online access has limits. Not every old case has been added to the digital system. Older Graham County felony files may only exist on paper at the clerk office. If you cannot find what you need online, contact the clerk directly. They can tell you if a record exists and how to get a copy.

Arizona State Criminal Record Resources

State agencies also hold felony information from Graham County. The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the Central State Repository. Under A.R.S. Section 41-1750, DPS collects arrest and disposition data from all criminal justice agencies in Arizona. Graham County sends its data to this state database. A felony arrest in Graham County creates records both locally and at the state level in Phoenix.

You can review your own Arizona criminal record for free through DPS. Fill out a Record Review Packet and submit your fingerprints on an FBI FD-258 card. DPS mails back a copy of your state record within about 15 days. This helps you check for errors or see what employers might find. The DPS Criminal History Records page explains the full process. You can also submit requests and pay through the Public Services Portal online.

Private employers cannot use DPS directly for background checks. Arizona law blocks the Central State Repository from running checks for private companies or out of state requests. Employers must search court records themselves or hire a service that pulls from court files. The DPS record review is for individuals checking their own history, not for employers screening job applicants.

Sealing Graham County Felony Records

Arizona allows certain felony records to be sealed. This option started at the end of 2022. A.R.S. Section 13-911 sets the rules. If you have a Graham County felony conviction, you might qualify for sealing after completing your sentence and waiting the required period. Sealed records no longer appear in most background checks. This helps people move on from past mistakes.

The wait times depend on what class of felony you have. Class 2 and 3 felonies need 10 years after you finish your sentence. Class 4, 5, and 6 felonies need 5 years. These are long waits but they do eventually end. Some crimes can never be sealed. Dangerous offenses, crimes against children, violent felonies, and sex trafficking convictions stay on your record permanently. The list of excluded offenses is specific, so check the statute carefully.

You file a petition to seal with the Graham County Superior Court where your case was heard. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it. Sealing is not automatic. You must ask for it. If you think you qualify, consider talking to a lawyer about how to file the petition correctly. Getting your Graham County felony record sealed can make a real difference for jobs, housing, and your future.

Graham County Location and Population

Graham County sits in southeastern Arizona. The county seat is Safford. It is a rural area with wide open spaces and a small population compared to places like Phoenix or Tucson. The Gila River runs through the county. Mount Graham rises in the Pinaleño Mountains. The area has farms, ranches, and outdoor recreation. Crime rates are lower than in big cities, which means fewer felony cases each year than you would find in urban courts.

The low case volume makes searching Graham County felony records a bit different from larger counties. Files may be easier to find because there are fewer of them. But the remote location means online and mail options make more sense than driving out for an in person visit. Most people in the county live in or near Safford, Thatcher, or Pima, Arizona. These small towns rely on the county court and sheriff for law enforcement and criminal justice matters.

Understanding the geography helps when you search for records. Someone arrested in Graham County will have their case heard at the Superior Court in Safford. The records stay local. If the person also has cases in other counties, those would be separate files in those court systems.

Note: Graham County has no cities over the 50,000 population threshold, so all felony matters go through the county level offices.

Nearby County Felony Records

Graham County shares borders with several other Arizona counties. To the east lies Greenlee County, one of the smallest in the state. To the north sits Navajo County. West of Graham you find Pinal County and Gila County. The southern border touches Cochise County.

People in southeastern Arizona move between these areas for work and family. Someone living in Graham County might get arrested in a neighboring county. When you search for a complete criminal history, check multiple court systems. Each county has its own clerk with its own records. The state DPS database combines arrest data from all counties, but court files stay local. A thorough search of someone with ties to this region should cover Graham County and its neighbors.

If you cannot find a felony record in Graham County, consider whether the case might have been filed in an adjacent county. Jurisdiction depends on where the crime happened, not where the person lives. Check the courts in neighboring counties to make sure you have found all relevant Graham County and surrounding area felony records.