How to Get a Scottsdale Police Report or Court Record
Need a Scottsdale police report or court record? Reports come from the SPD Records Unit — crime victims get one free copy under A.R.S. 39-127 — crash reports through CrashDocs.org, and case files from Scottsdale City Court. Here is each path and how long it takes.
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Three Records People Confuse
To get a Scottsdale police report, request it from the Scottsdale Police Department Records Unit — online, in person, by phone, or by email. Crash reports come separately from CrashDocs.org, and court case files come from Scottsdale City Court. Under Arizona’s public records law, these are open to the public.
“How do I get my report?” is one of the most common questions we hear, and the honest answer is: it depends which report you mean. In Scottsdale, three completely different documents get lumped together under that phrase, and each is held by a different office with its own request process. Send your request to the wrong place and you can lose weeks waiting on something that office does not even have.
This guide covers all three — a police incident report, a traffic crash report, and a court case record — so you can send the right request the first time. If your reason for wanting the record is a criminal case you are facing, read the last section first: there is usually a faster path than a public-records request. For what happens after an arrest, see our overview of what happens when you are arrested in Scottsdale.
Before you request anything, figure out which of these you actually need. They are not interchangeable, and no single office holds all three.
Which Scottsdale Record Do You Need?
Three separate custodians · three separate requests
How to Get a Scottsdale Police Report
A Scottsdale police report is held by the Scottsdale Police Department Records Unit, and there are four ways to request one. Pick whichever is easiest for you:
- Online — submit a request through the SPD records portal at eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/pdrecordsrequest.
- In person — at the Police/Fire Headquarters (Lou Witzeman Public Safety Building), 8401 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. The records lobby is open Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- By phone — call the Records Unit at 480-312-1999, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- By email — write to spdrecords@scottsdaleaz.gov.
It helps to have as much identifying information as possible ready: the report or departmental report (DR) number if you have it, the date and location of the incident, and the names of the people involved. A fee schedule applies to copies for most requesters; the department publishes current amounts on its records page, so confirm the cost there before you submit. If you are not sure which report number you need, the Records Unit can often locate it from the date and address.
Are You the Victim? One Copy Is Free
If you are the victim of a crime, Arizona law gives you a free copy. Under A.R.S. 39-127, a crime victim is entitled to one free copy of the police report and one free copy of any on-body camera (body-worn camera) recording connected to the offense. Tell the Records Unit you are the victim when you make the request. The department also gives priority to victims and to government entities, so identifying yourself as a victim can move your request forward faster than a general public request.
How Long Does a Scottsdale Police Report Take?
Longer than most people expect, so set your timeline accordingly. According to the department, general document requests currently face an 8 to 10 month backlog, and on-body camera footage runs a 12 to 14 month backlog. Requests are processed in the order they are received. Victims and government entities get priority, but even then the volume of requests is heavy.
That long wait is exactly why the timing of your request matters. If you need the report for a court deadline, an insurance claim, or a criminal case, do not assume it will arrive in a few days. Put the request in as early as possible — and if a criminal charge is involved, read the section below on discovery, because your attorney can usually obtain the same materials far faster.
How to Get a Scottsdale Crash or Accident Report
A car-crash report is not requested from the Records Unit — it comes from a separate online service. Scottsdale Police Department collision and accident reports are available through CARFAX at CrashDocs.org. To pull your report you will need:
- The last name of one of the involved parties;
- The date of the collision;
- The departmental report number (DR#) assigned to the crash; and
- A credit card for the copy fee.
One important caveat: CrashDocs delivers the crash report itself, but photos, 911 audio recordings, and any related incident reports are not on that site. Those are requested separately through the Scottsdale Police Department Records Unit using the same four methods described above. So a serious collision can involve two requests — the report from CrashDocs, and the extras from Records.
How to Get a Scottsdale City Court Record
Court records are held by the court, not the police, and Scottsdale City Court handles its own case files. If your case — a misdemeanor, a traffic matter, a city ordinance charge — was heard in Scottsdale, this is where the court’s record lives. There are two things you might want: to look up a case, or to get copies of documents from it.
Look up a case online
To check case status, charges, hearing dates, or dispositions, use the court’s online case lookup at the Scottsdale City Court eServices case lookup. This is the quickest way to see what is on the docket. For more on how the court works, see our page on Scottsdale City Court.
Request copies of court records
To obtain actual copies of documents from a case file, submit a records request online or complete the court’s records request form and deliver it in person (there is a lobby drop-box), by mail, by email, or by fax. The court does not accept records requests by phone. Standard processing is five to seven business days. A records request fee and a per-page copy fee apply; the court publishes current amounts on its records page, so check there before submitting. The court’s general phone number is 480-312-2442, though remember it cannot take the request itself over the phone.
The Free Statewide Case Lookup
If you are not certain which court handled a case, or you want a no-cost way to search, Arizona offers a free statewide tool. The Public Access to Court Case Information lookup, run by the Arizona Judicial Branch, covers most courts across the state. It will not always give you the full document images, but it is an excellent free starting point to confirm a case number, the court of record, and the current status before you pay for copies from Scottsdale City Court.
Your Rights Under Arizona’s Public Records Law
Arizona treats government records as presumptively public. Under A.R.S. 39-121, public records and other matters in the custody of any officer are open to inspection by any person during office hours. That is the legal backbone behind every request above: you do not need to be a party, a lawyer, or a journalist to ask for a public record.
There are limits. Parts of a report can be redacted or withheld — for example, an ongoing investigation, a juvenile’s information, victim identifiers, or other material protected by law. That is one reason a report can come back with sections blacked out, and why the release of records tied to an open case is sometimes delayed until the investigation closes. If a request touches an active criminal matter, expect that the public-records copy may be incomplete compared to what is later produced in discovery.
How an Attorney Gets Your Reports Faster
Here is the part that surprises most people who have been charged: if you are a defendant in a criminal case, you usually do not have to wait in the public-records line at all. Once a case is filed, Arizona’s criminal discovery rules require the prosecution to turn over the police reports, body-camera footage, lab results, and witness statements to the defense. Your attorney requests these through the court case — a completely separate channel from the Records Unit’s months-long backlog — and it is the route that actually gets you the complete, unredacted materials you need to fight the charge.
This is why, if you are facing charges, the smartest first move is often not a records request but a call to a lawyer. We obtain discovery as part of representing you, review it for problems with the stop, the search, or the evidence, and use it to build your defense — while a public request would still be sitting in the queue. If you think there may be an outstanding warrant tied to your case, start with our Scottsdale warrant search guide, then talk to a Scottsdale criminal defense lawyer about your options.
Award-Winning Criminal Defense Law Firm
When you are looking for the best Phoenix criminal defense lawyers, these are the independently verified credentials that matter, earned by Founding Attorney Michael Tamou and a full team of attorneys, including former prosecutors, public defenders, and law enforcement.
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Why Tamou Law Group for Criminal Defense
Every criminal case in Arizona is decided by what the State can prove, and the State proves less when the defense starts early. We get into cases before charges are filed whenever we can, and we build them on evidence rather than argument.
Results across the spectrum
Our published results include armed robbery and sexual assault cases dismissed, reckless driving dismissed, diversion on drug and theft charges, probation with no jail on aggravated DUI, and a second-degree murder charge reduced. Every case is different, and these show how we fight.
Former prosecutors and law enforcement officers
Our team includes former prosecutors and law enforcement officers, so we know how the State builds a case and where it breaks down. Michael Tamou handled roughly 500 cases a year at the public defender’s office before founding the firm.
Recognized, and available
Michael Tamou is recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40, Super Lawyers Southwest and Elite Lawyer 2026. We answer 24/7 from our Phoenix and Scottsdale offices, and we appear in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal County courts.
Published results in this area
| Case | Charges | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| State v. D.O. | Armed robbery and aggravated assault (A.R.S. 13-1904, 13-1204) | Dismissed |
| State v. W.N. | Sexual assault and sexual abuse (13-1406, 13-1404) | Case dismissed |
| State v. C.K. | Reckless driving and racing (28-693, 28-708) | Case dismissed |
| State v. N.K. | Possession of narcotic drugs (13-3408, 13-3415) | Diversion |
| State v. L.S. | Aggravated DUI (28-1383) | Probation, no jail |
| State v. F.N. | Second-degree murder (13-1104) | Reduced charge |
Anonymized outcomes from our case results page. Every case is different; past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a copy of a Scottsdale police report?
Request it from the Scottsdale Police Department Records Unit. You can submit online through the SPD records portal, go in person to 8401 E. Indian School Road, call 480-312-1999, or email spdrecords@scottsdaleaz.gov. Have the report number, date, location, and names involved ready to speed things up.
Is a Scottsdale police report free?
Only for crime victims. Under A.R.S. 39-127, the victim of a crime gets one free copy of the police report and one free copy of any body-camera recording. For everyone else, the department charges a copy fee under its published fee schedule — check the SPD records page for current amounts.
How long does it take to get a Scottsdale police report?
According to the department, general document requests currently have an 8 to 10 month backlog, and on-body camera footage has a 12 to 14 month backlog. Requests are handled in the order received, with priority given to victims and government entities. Plan for a long wait and request early.
How do I get a Scottsdale car accident report?
Scottsdale crash reports are on CrashDocs.org, not through the Records Unit. You will need the last name of an involved party, the collision date, the departmental report number (DR#), and a credit card. Photos, 911 audio, and related incident reports must be requested separately through the SPD Records Unit.
How do I look up a Scottsdale City Court case?
Use the Scottsdale City Court eServices case lookup online to check charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. For a broader search, the state’s free Public Access to Court Case Information tool at azcourts.gov covers most Arizona courts and helps confirm the case number and court of record.
How do I get copies of Scottsdale court records?
Submit a records request online, or complete the court’s records request form and deliver it in person, by mail, email, or fax. The court does not take requests by phone. Standard processing is five to seven business days, and a records request fee plus a per-page copy fee apply.
Can anyone request a Scottsdale police report?
Generally yes. Under A.R.S. 39-121, public records in the custody of a public officer are open to inspection by any person during office hours. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some material may be redacted or withheld, such as information tied to an ongoing investigation.
Can my attorney get the police report faster than I can?
Usually, yes. If you have been charged, Arizona’s criminal discovery rules require the prosecution to provide reports, body-camera footage, and evidence to the defense through the court case — a separate channel from the Records Unit’s backlog. That is often the fastest way to get the complete, unredacted file.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
Our Scottsdale office on Shea Boulevard serves Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the surrounding East Valley, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings by appointment. We also meet clients at our Phoenix office.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.