Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
Independent records-search resource. This website is not a government agency, police department, sheriff's office, jail, prison or courthouse. Search coverage varies by source and jurisdiction. Some links may lead to third-party services, and compensation may be received when a partner service is used.
Find a Phoenix Inmate in the Maricopa County Jail System
If someone was arrested in Phoenix and remained in custody, start with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Inmate Information system. Phoenix is located in Maricopa County, and there is no Arizona county officially named “Phoenix County.” The City of Phoenix directs jail-location questions to MCSO, while Phoenix Police reports and Phoenix Municipal Court records are handled separately.
A practical Phoenix jail inmate search therefore uses MCSO for current jail custody, the appropriate court for the criminal case, and Phoenix Police only when you need the police report or arrest-agency record.
Which Phoenix Inmate or Arrest Search Do You Actually Need?
Different agencies answer different questions. Using the correct system first is usually faster than searching the same name across several commercial databases.
| You need to know | Best source | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Whether someone is currently in a Phoenix-area county jail | MCSO Inmate Information | MCSO operates the Maricopa County jail system used for people kept in custody after many Phoenix arrests. |
| Current booking number or housing facility | MCSO inmate record | The booking record is the most useful identifier for jail services. |
| Phoenix city misdemeanor case | Phoenix Municipal Court | The city court handles adult misdemeanor and other limited-jurisdiction matters arising in Phoenix. |
| Felony criminal case | Maricopa County Superior Court | Felony cases are handled outside Phoenix Municipal Court. |
| Phoenix Police report, 911 record or body-camera record | Phoenix Police Public Records | Police records are separate from the jail custody record. |
| Arizona state-prison inmate | Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry | ADCRR covers state-prison custody, not current county-jail bookings. |
| Federal inmate | Federal Bureau of Prisons | Federal custody is separate from MCSO. |
The City of Phoenix specifically directs people looking for someone held in a Maricopa County jail to the MCSO inmate-information system.
How to Use the Official Phoenix Jail Inmate Search
Use the official Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office custody page rather than an unofficial name directory.
A current booking number is normally the fastest way to distinguish the correct person from someone with a similar name.
Use the person’s legal first and last name. MCSO’s name search also uses date-of-birth information.
Compare the available birth date, booking date, booking number and other identifiers. Do not rely on a name alone.
You may need it when asking MCSO a question, arranging communication, sending mail or funding an inmate account.
Housing assignments can change after intake. Use the current facility shown by MCSO before visiting or sending anything.
The jail record answers custody questions. Court records are better for filed charges, hearings, case status and final disposition.
What a Phoenix Jail Roster Result Can Help You Confirm
| Record item | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Booking number | Use it to distinguish the current custody event and for many jail-service questions. |
| Booking information | Helps confirm that the record relates to the arrest you are researching. |
| Custody or housing location | Shows which MCSO facility currently holds the person when that field is available. |
| Listed charges | Shows allegations associated with the booking; it is not proof of guilt. |
| Bond information | May help determine whether a financial release condition is involved. |
| Court or case information | Can help connect the jail booking to the appropriate court record. |
| Release information | May indicate a custody change, but live release processing should be confirmed directly. |
If the Phoenix Inmate Search Shows No Result
A blank search does not automatically mean the person was never arrested or is already free. Work through these checks in order:
- Allow for intake processing. A very recent arrest may still be moving through identification, medical screening and booking.
- Retry the legal name. Check spelling, hyphenated surnames, suffixes and former legal names.
- Verify the date of birth. An incorrect DOB can prevent a valid match.
- Call MCSO at 602-876-0322. This is especially useful when the arrest occurred recently.
- Check the court. A criminal case may remain searchable after a person leaves the active jail roster.
- Check Arizona state custody. Someone transferred after sentencing may appear in ADCRR instead of MCSO.
- Check federal custody when appropriate. Federal cases use different detention systems.
- Confirm the county. An arrest outside Maricopa County will usually require that county’s sheriff or detention search.
For statewide custody routing, use our Arizona Jail Inmate Search guide. For the full county system, see our Maricopa County Jail Inmate Search.
Maricopa County Jail Facilities in Phoenix
MCSO operates several detention facilities in Phoenix. An inmate can be moved after booking, so do not assume the booking location is still the current housing location.
| Facility | Address | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Avenue Jail | 201 S. 4th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Downtown jail facility and the current MCSO Bond and Fine Room location. |
| Intake, Transfer and Release (ITR) | 2670 S. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85009 | Central booking, transfer and release-processing hub. |
| 512 Facility | 2670 S. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85009 | Part of the MCSO detention campus near ITR. |
| Watkins Jail | 2680 S. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85009 | MCSO inmate housing facility. |
| Estrella Jail | 2939 W. Durango Road, Phoenix, AZ 85009 | MCSO detention housing. |
| Towers Jail | 3127 W. Gibson Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85009 | MCSO housing facility; the Sheriff’s published facility information identifies it as a male general-population location. |
| Lower Buckeye Jail | 3250 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85009 | Large detention facility and the address used in current MCSO guidance for routine incoming inmate correspondence. |
General MCSO jail information: 602-876-0322. For the current facility list, use the official MCSO jail finder.
What Happens After Someone Is Arrested in Phoenix?
1. Arresting agency
Phoenix Police or another law-enforcement agency makes the arrest. A police arrest record and an MCSO jail record are not the same document.
2. County booking
If the person remains in custody, booking enters the person into the Maricopa County jail system. Phoenix Police describes an adult misdemeanor booking as an arrest where the person is taken to the Maricopa County jail system.
3. Court review
A court determines release conditions and handles the criminal case. Which court you need depends on whether the matter is a Phoenix municipal misdemeanor, felony or another type of case.
4. Housing or release
The person may be released, remain in custody, or move between MCSO facilities. ITR is the central release-processing location for the county jail system.
Bond and Release: What Phoenix Families Need to Know
For Maricopa County criminal cases, the court sets release conditions. If a bond must be posted, current Superior Court instructions direct payment in person with MCSO at:
Fourth Avenue Jail – Bond and Fine Room201 S. 4th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Northwest corner of the building
After a bond is properly posted, the Superior Court says release processing may take up to 24 hours. Another case, warrant, hold or release condition can also affect timing.
Check current Maricopa County bond instructions.
Where is a Phoenix inmate released?
MCSO uses the Intake, Transfer and Release facility (ITR), 2670 S. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85009, for release processing. Do not drive there solely because a bond was paid or a judge ordered release. Confirm that jail processing is complete first.
How to Find a Phoenix Inmate’s Court Date and Case
The correct court depends on the case. The City of Phoenix explains that Phoenix Municipal Court handles adult criminal misdemeanor matters arising within the city, while felony criminal cases are handled through Maricopa County.
| Case type | Where to look | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix city misdemeanor | Phoenix Municipal Court | 602-262-6421 |
| Felony criminal case | Maricopa County Superior Court Criminal Department | 602-506-8575 |
| Current jail custody | MCSO Inmate Information | 602-876-0322 |
For a Phoenix Municipal Court case
- Open the Phoenix Municipal Court website.
- Use the court’s available case or records route.
- Compare the defendant’s name and case information with the jail booking.
- If online information is unclear, call 602-262-6421.
300 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., excluding City holidays
For a felony case
- Open the Maricopa County Superior Court Criminal Department.
- Use the criminal case-information search.
- Search by the defendant information or case number available to you.
- Compare the court case with the current MCSO booking before assuming they are the same event.
Visitation, Phone Calls and Tablets
First locate the inmate and save the current booking number. MCSO uses correctional communication systems for telephone calls, video visits, messaging and tablet services. Provider rules, rates and visit availability can change, so confirm the current service through MCSO before purchasing anything.
- Confirm the inmate is still in MCSO custody.
- Record the booking number and current facility.
- From the MCSO website, open Custody Bureau Information and choose the current visitation, telephone or tablet page.
- Create the required provider account when instructed.
- Verify the inmate before adding funds or scheduling a remote visit.
- Check identification, dress and scheduling rules before an onsite visit.
MCSO’s recent family guidance has used ViaPath/GettingOut-related services for video and tablet communication. Because vendors and pricing can change, use the Sheriff’s current page for the final transaction rather than an old provider bookmark.
How to Put Money on a Phoenix Jail Inmate Account
MCSO currently identifies TouchPay for inmate-account deposits. Fees may apply.
- Find the inmate in MCSO and confirm the current booking number.
- Go to the MCSO website and open Inmate Account Deposits.
- Choose one of the deposit methods currently offered by MCSO and TouchPay.
- Enter the inmate information carefully.
- Check the name and booking identifier before paying.
- Review the service fee and keep the confirmation or receipt.
MCSO’s indexed deposit instructions have listed TouchPay telephone deposits at 1-866-355-9593. Verify the number and current options on MCSO immediately before sending money.
How to Send Mail to a Maricopa County Jail Inmate
Current MCSO family guidance routes ordinary inmate correspondence through Lower Buckeye Jail. Before mailing, verify that the person is still in MCSO custody and copy the current booking number.
General inmate correspondence formatInmate’s Full Booking Name + Booking Number
Lower Buckeye Jail
3250 W. Lower Buckeye Road
Phoenix, AZ 85009
MCSO has used specific rules for ordinary correspondence, photographs, legal mail and publisher-sent materials. Do not assume that a package, envelope, book or photograph that was accepted in the past is still permitted. Check the current MCSO family/mail rules immediately before mailing anything.
Phoenix Police Reports, Mugshots and Older Records
Need the Phoenix Police report?
A jail roster is not the same as a police incident report. Phoenix Police Public Records handles police reports, 911 recordings/calls for service, body-camera material, photographs and other qualifying department records.
Phoenix Police Public Records and Services Unit100 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-534-1127
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., except holidays
Open Phoenix Police public-record instructions.
Need a mugshot?
MCSO maintains a public mugshot-lookup route, but photograph availability can depend on current policy and the record. If your real question is whether someone is currently in jail, use the inmate-information page first rather than treating a booking photo as a custody record.
Need an older arrest or case?
A person who was released may no longer appear in a live custody search. For an older Phoenix arrest, use the court case, the responsible law-enforcement records process, or another official record source depending on what you need.
County Jail, State Prison or Federal Custody?
| Situation | Correct search |
|---|---|
| Recently arrested in Phoenix and still in county custody | MCSO Inmate Information |
| Transferred to Arizona state prison after sentencing | ADCRR Inmate Data Search |
| Federal prisoner in BOP custody | Federal BOP Inmate Locator |
| Need the criminal case rather than custody status | Phoenix Municipal Court or Maricopa County Superior Court |
If federal custody may be involved, our Federal Jail Inmate Search guide explains why a recently arrested federal defendant may not immediately appear in the BOP locator. If the arrest may have occurred southeast of Maricopa County, see our Pinal County Jail Inmate Search.
Important Phone Numbers and Addresses
| Agency or facility | Phone / address | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| MCSO Jail Information | 602-876-0322 | Current booking, housing, release and general jail questions. |
| MCSO Headquarters | 550 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003 602-876-1000 | General Sheriff’s Office contact. |
| 4th Avenue Jail | 201 S. 4th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Downtown jail; Bond and Fine Room. |
| ITR | 2670 S. 28th Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85009 | Booking, transfers and release processing. |
| Phoenix Municipal Court | 300 W. Washington St. 602-262-6421 | Phoenix misdemeanor court matters and court records. |
| Maricopa Superior Court Criminal Information | 602-506-8575 | Felony criminal case information and bond verification. |
| Phoenix Police Public Records | 100 W. Washington St. 602-534-1127 | Police reports and related public records. |
Related Inmate Search Guides
Maricopa County Jail Inmate Search & Roster — full county jail and facility guideArizona Jail Inmate Search — choose the correct county or state systemFederal Jail Inmate Search — BOP, federal court and U.S. Marshals custodyPinal County Jail Inmate Search — useful when the arrest occurred southeast of Maricopa CountyPhoenix Jail Inmate Search FAQs
1. Is there a Phoenix County Jail in Arizona?
No. Phoenix is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona. For people held in county jail after a Phoenix arrest, the correct public custody system is generally the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office inmate-information search.
2. What is the official Phoenix jail inmate search?
Use the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Information page. Search with the current booking number when available, or use the person’s legal name and date of birth.
3. Does Phoenix Police have a separate public city jail roster?
For people kept in jail after a Phoenix arrest, the City of Phoenix directs jail-location questions to MCSO. Phoenix Police records are separate and are useful when you need an incident report, 911 record, photograph or another police record.
4. Why is someone arrested in Phoenix not showing in MCSO?
The booking may still be processing, the legal name or date of birth may be entered differently, the person may have been released or transferred, or the arrest may fall under another custody system. For a recent arrest, call MCSO at 602-876-0322.
5. What is the Phoenix-area jail information phone number?
The main MCSO jail-information number is 602-876-0322. Have the person’s full legal name, date of birth and booking number if known.
6. Where do I post bond for a Maricopa County inmate?
Current Superior Court guidance directs criminal bond payments to the Fourth Avenue Jail Bond and Fine Room, 201 S. 4th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Bonds are posted in person with MCSO.
7. Where are Maricopa County jail inmates released?
Release processing is handled through the Intake, Transfer and Release facility at 2670 S. 28th Drive in Phoenix. Confirm that release processing is complete before traveling to pick someone up.
8. How do I find a Phoenix inmate’s court date?
First identify the criminal case. Phoenix Municipal Court handles qualifying city misdemeanor matters, while Maricopa County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases. Use the appropriate court’s case-information system and compare the case with the MCSO booking.
9. How do I send money to someone in a Phoenix jail?
MCSO currently directs inmate-account deposits through TouchPay. Find the inmate and copy the booking number first, then use the current MCSO inmate-account instructions and verify all details before paying.
10. What if the person was transferred from a Phoenix jail to state prison?
Use the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Inmate Data Search. MCSO is for county-jail custody; ADCRR is the correct system after transfer into Arizona state-prison custody.
Best Order to Find Someone Arrested in Phoenix
Start with MCSO and confirm the current booking. Save the booking number and jail location. Next, use Phoenix Municipal Court or Maricopa County Superior Court if you need the criminal case. Only after you know the correct inmate and case should you arrange a visit, deposit money, mail correspondence or act on a bond.
For a live custody, bond or release decision, use the official agency for the final check because inmate housing and legal status can change during the day.
CountyJailInmateSearch.org is an independent informational resource and is not the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, City of Phoenix, a court or another government agency. An arrest, booking, charge or mugshot does not establish guilt or a criminal conviction.