Ariz. R. Sup. Ct. 123

As amended through August 22, 2024

Rule 123 - Access to the Judicial Records of the State of Arizona

(a)Authority and Scope of Rule. Pursuant to the administrative powers vested in the supreme court by Article VI, Section 3, of the Arizona Constitution, and the court's inherent power to administer and supervise court operations, this rule is adopted to govern public access to the records of all courts and administrative offices of the judicial department of the State of Arizona.

(b)Definitions.

(1)Bulk Data. As used in this rule "Bulk Data" means all, or a significant subset, of the non-confidential case data maintained in a court case management system, either with or without modification or customized compilation.

(2)Closed or Confidential (Records). "Closed" or "Confidential," when used in this rule in reference to records, means that members of the public may not inspect, obtain copies of, or otherwise have access to such records unless authorized by law.

(3)Commercial Purpose. As used in this rule "Commercial Purpose" means the use of a public record for the purpose of sale or resale or for the purpose of producing a document containing all or part of the copy, printout or photograph for sale or the obtaining of names and addresses from such public records for the purpose of solicitation or the sale of such names and addresses to another for the purpose of solicitation or for any purpose in which the purchaser can reasonably anticipate the receipt of monetary gain from direct or indirect use of such public records. "Commercial Purpose" does not mean the use of a public record as evidence or as research for evidence in an action in a judicial or quasi-judicial body of this state or a political subdivision of this state.

(4)Court. "Court" means the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, Superior Court, Justice Courts, Municipal Courts and all judges of those courts.

(5)Court Administrator or Clerk of the Court. "Court Administrator" or "Clerk of the Court" means a person employed, appointed or elected for the purpose of administering the operations of any court or court system.

(6)Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). "Criminal History Record Information" means only those records of arrests, convictions, sentences, dismissals and other dispositions of charges against individuals that have been provided to the court by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Arizona Crime Information Center (ACIC), or any other criminal justice agency for use in juvenile and adult criminal justice cases, employment, licensing or other authorized investigations.

(7)Custodian. "Custodian" is the person responsible for the safekeeping of any records held by any court, administrative office, clerk of court's office or that person's designee who also shall be responsible for processing public requests for access to records.

(8)Custodian of Bulk Data. In a superior court or appellate court, "Custodian of Bulk Data" means, depending on local practice, either the clerk of court or the presiding judge. In a justice of the peace or municipal court, the custodian is the sitting justice of the peace and the presiding judge of the municipal court, respectively.

(9)Dissemination Contract and Disclaimer. "Dissemination Contract and Disclaimer" means a contract between a custodian of court records and a person or entity requesting bulk data.

(10)High-Level Administrative Positions. In the superior, justice, and municipal courts, "high-level administrative positions" means court administrators, chief probation officers, and juvenile court directors. In the appellate courts, it means the clerks of the court and the administrative director.

(11)Information. "Information" is any recognizable alpha/numerical data that constitutes a record or any part thereof.

(12)Judge. "Judge" means any justice, judge, judicial officer, referee, commissioner, court-appointed arbitrator or other person exercising adjudicatory powers in the judicial branch.

(13)Law. "Law" means statute, rule, administrative order, court order or case law.

(14) Mental Health Proceeding. "Mental health proceeding" means a proceeding brought under ARS Title 36, Chapter 5, Article 4 or 5.

(15)Presiding Judge. "Presiding Judge" means the presiding judge of the superior court for each county, or the chief judge for each division of the court of appeals or the chief justice of the supreme court. For municipal and justice courts "Presiding Judge" means the presiding judge of the superior court.

(16)Private Organization Serving a Public Purpose. "Private Organization Serving a Public Purpose" means a private organization, the objective of which is to serve a public purpose, such as criminal justice, child welfare, licensing, mental health treatment, or research for scholarly or governmental purposes.

(17)Public. "Public" means all users of court records, including Arizona judicial officers and employees, employees of government agencies and private organizations.

(18)Record. "Record" means all existing documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings or other materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or in connection with the transaction of any official business by the court, and preserved or appropriate for preservation by the court as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decision, procedures, operations or other governmental activities.

(A) Administrative Record. "Administrative record" means any record pertaining to the administration of the courts, court systems or any non-adjudicatory records.

(B) Case Record. "Case Record" means:

(1) any record that is collected, received, or maintained by a court or clerk of court in connection with a judicial proceeding;

(2) any order, judgment, or minute entry that is related to a judicial proceeding; and

(3) any index, calendar, docket, or register of actions associated with a case or in connection with a judicial proceeding.

(19)Records Maintained for Human Resources Purposes. "Records maintained for human resources purposes" means records relating to employees and volunteers such as the official personnel file, and records of employee benefits, investigations, EEOC complaints, reclassifications, supervisors' working files, employee relations guidance, counseling notes, and similar matters.

(20)Remote Electronic Access. "Remote Electronic Access" means access by electronic means that permits the viewer to search, inspect, or copy a record without the need to physically visit a court facility.

(21)Sensitive Data. "Sensitive Data" means social security number, bank account number, credit card number, and any other financial account number.

(c)General Provisions.

(1)Open Records Policy. Historically, this state has always favored open government and an informed citizenry. In the tradition, the records in all courts and administrative offices of the Judicial Department of the State of Arizona are presumed to be open to any member of the public for inspection or to obtain copies at all times during regular office hours at the office having custody of the records. However, in view of the possible countervailing interests of confidentiality, privacy or the best interests of the state public access to some court records may be restricted or expanded in accordance with the provision of this rule, or other provisions of law.

(2)Creation, Production and Management of Records.

(A) Court personnel, who generate or receive paper or electronic records known or marked as containing confidential information, shall identify and segregate the confidential information from the record whenever practicable.

(B) The custodian shall utilize reasonable records management practices and procedures to assure that all closed records are properly identified as "confidential" and maintained segregated or apart from records open to the public. Whenever possible, records containing both public and confidential information shall be identified as "containing both public and confidential information."

(C) Upon request, the custodian shall reproduce any record containing public information that would otherwise be closed, by redacting all confidential information from the record unless release of the entire record is prohibited by law. Records that are reproduced after redaction shall contain a disclosure that they were redacted, unless such disclosure would defeat the purpose of the redaction. Identification of redacted records shall include a description of the nature and length of the matters contained therein, unless the description, if given, constitutes a disclosure of confidential information. Upon request, the custodian shall identify the legal authority for the redaction.

(3)Confidential and Personal Financial Records. Documents containing social security, credit card, debit card, or financial account numbers or credit reports of an individual, when collected by the court for administrative purposes, are closed unless made public in a court proceeding or upon court order.

(4)New Records. The court is not required to index, compile, re-compile, re-format, program or otherwise reorganize existing information to create new records not maintained in the ordinary course of business. Removing, deleting or redacting confidential information from a record, or reproducing a record in non-original format, is not deemed to be creating a new record as defined herein.

(5)Judicial Officers and Employees. Arizona judicial officers, clerks, administrators, professionals or other staff employed by or working under the supervision of the court shall have such access as needed to carry out their assigned duties and as directed by their supervisor.

(6)Employees of Government Agencies and Private Organizations Serving a Public Purpose. Employees of federal, state, tribal, and local government agencies and political subdivisions, and private organizations serving a public purpose may be granted such access to court records as required to serve that purpose according to this rule or as provided by any supplemental supreme court policies or court order.

(7)Access To Bulk Data. Persons who execute a dissemination contract and disclaimer containing provisions specified by the supreme court may have such access as permitted by paragraph (j) of this rule.

(d)Access to Case Records. All case records are open to the public except as may be closed by law or as provided in this rule. The court must state the reason for closing any record and include a reference to any statute, case, rule or administrative order on which the court relied.

(1)Juvenile Records.

(A) Records of all juvenile delinquency and incorrigibility proceedings are open to the public to the extent provided for in the Rules of Procedure for the Juvenile Court or by law.

(B) All records of proceedings under Rule 327, Rules of Procedure for the Juvenile Court, dependency, guardianship under ARS §§ 8-871 through 8-874, termination of parental rights, adoption, and other related proceedings are confidential and must be withheld from public inspection unless authorized by law, rule, or court order.

(C) All information and records obtained in the course of evaluation, examination or treatment of juveniles who have been referred to a treatment program funded by the juvenile probation fund (pursuant to ARS § 8-321) or the family counseling fund (ARS § 8-261 et seq.) are confidential and shall not be released unless authorized by rule or court order. These records include, but are not limited to, clinical records, medical reports, laboratory statements and reports, or any report relating to diagnostic findings and treatment of juveniles, or any information by which the juvenile or his family may be identified, wherever such records are maintained by the court.

(2)Adult Criminal Records.

(A) Criminal History Records, diagnostic evaluations, psychiatric and psychological reports, medical reports, alcohol screening and treatment reports, social studies, probation supervision histories and any other records maintained as the work product of pretrial services staff, probation officers and other staff for use by the court are closed and shall be withheld from public inspection, including such records associated with the interstate compact pursuant to ARS § 31-461. However, the bail determination report, any related pretrial service records, the presentence report, and any related probation office records are open to the public when:

(i) ordered by the court,

(ii) filed with the clerk of court or attached to any filed document and not segregated and identified as being closed or confidential, or

(iii) considered or used for any purpose in open court proceedings unless restricted by law or sealed by the court.

(B) In adult criminal cases the pretrial services unit, probation department, limited jurisdiction court, or other primary user shall separate and identify as "confidential" all records defined herein as "criminal history record information," and those records identified in paragraph (d)(2)(A). Such records shall be closed and placed in an envelope marked "confidential", or otherwise stored as a confidential record, and shall only be disclosed as authorized by ARS § 41-1750et seq. or by court order.

(C) All other information in the adult criminal case files maintained by the clerk of the court is open to the public, unless prohibited by law or sealed by court order.

(3)Protective Orders. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the custodian shall not make publicly available any information regarding the filing of or contents of a petition for or issuance of a protective order until proof of service of the protective order has been filed with the court. The custodian may permit law enforcement agencies to access these records when necessary to carry out their official responsibilities. Protective order" as used in this section means an order of protection, an emergency order of protection, an injunction against harassment, or an injunction against workplace harassment.

(4)Judicial Work Product and Drafts. Notes, memoranda or drafts thereof prepared by a judge or other court personnel at the direction of a judge and used in the process of preparing a final decision or order are closed.

(5)Unofficial Verbatim Recordings of Proceedings. Electronic verbatim recordings made by a courtroom clerk or at the direction of the clerk and used in preparing minute entries are closed.

(6) Mental Health Case Records.

(A) Except as otherwise provided by this rule or law, the case records and information of mental health proceedings are closed to public access or inspection.

(B) Case records and information are open to the following:

(i) a superior court judicial officer, court administrator, clerk of court, and staff;

(ii) a current attorney of record in the mental health proceeding and any attorney in that office who is assigned to the case;

(iii) the subject person's current attorney of record in any other Arizona court proceeding;

(iv) the subject person's court-appointed guardian or conservator and that guardian's or conservator's current attorney of record in any Arizona court proceeding related to the subject person;

(v) an investigator, appointed under ARS Title 14, Chapter 5 in a pending guardianship, conservatorship, or other protective proceeding for the subject person;

(vi) a medical professional as defined in Rule 2, Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure, appointed under ARS Title 14, Chapter 5 in a pending guardianship, conservatorship, or other protective proceeding for the subject person;

(vii) the subject person's representative appointed under ARS § 14-10302 or guardian ad litem, and their respective attorneys;

(viii) a lawful representative of a regional behavioral health authority, health care institution as defined in ARS § 36-401 that provides services subject to the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or health care provider as defined in ARS § 36-501 and their respective attorneys through an electronic system as established by the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts; and

(ix) the Arizona Department of Corrections if the subject person is confined to a state prison and is a patient in the Arizona State Hospital on an authorized transfer either by voluntary admission or by court order.

(C) Limited release of case record and information.

(i) The Arizona Department of Public Safety may be provided the information described in ARS § 36-540(O) and a certified copy of the court's order or minute entry requiring the subject person to undergo mental health treatment.

(ii) A law enforcement or prosecuting agency that is investigating or prosecuting a prohibited possessor as defined in ARS § 13-3101 may be provided with a certified copy of the court's order or minute entry requiring the subject person to undergo mental health treatment and a certified copy of any order or minute entry renewing or terminating such treatment.

(iii) A federal law enforcement agency that is investigating or prosecuting a violation of 18 USC § 922(g) may be provided with a certified copy of any detention orders entered with respect to the subject person, a certified copy of the court's order or minute entry requiring the subject person to undergo mental health treatment, and a certified copy of any order or minute entry renewing or terminating such treatment.

(D) A request for case records or information relating to a mental health proceeding must be referred to a judicial officer if the clerk cannot determine whether the requestor is an individual listed in (d)(6)(B) or an agency listed in (d)(6)(C).

(E) Upon a written request and after the subject person has had an opportunity to respond, the judicial officer assigned to the proceeding, for good cause shown, may authorize the release of case records and information in a mental health proceeding to an individual not listed in (d)(6)(B) or (C). The court's finding of good cause must be in the order authorizing the release.

(F) This section does not include opinions or memorandum decisions issued by the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, but does include appellate briefs, the record on appeal, and appellate case records.

(7) Sexually Violent Person or Dangerous and Incompetent Person Case Records.

(A) Except as otherwise provided by this rule or law, in cases filed under ARS Title 36, Chapters 37 or 40, any document that is closed under (d)(2)(A) or is listed in ARS §§ 36-3702(D)(2)(a), (b), (D)(3) through (D)(9), or 36-4002 is closed to the public.

(B) Documents described in 7(A) that are filed in an ARS Title 36, Chapter 37 or 40 case are open to the following:

(i) the county attorney who is entitled to initiate the case under ARS § 36-3704(A) or is representing the state in an ARS Title 36, Chapter 40 proceeding and any deputy county attorney in that office who is assigned to the case;

(ii) the Arizona attorney general and any assistant attorney general who is assigned to represent the Arizona state hospital or a licensed facility under the supervision of the superintendent of the Arizona state hospital that provides treatment under ARS Title 36, Chapter 37 or the secure state mental health facility where the defendant is committed;

(iii) the respondent or the committed defendant;

(iv) the respondent's or the committed defendant's attorney;

(v) a lawful representative of the Arizona state hospital or of a licensed facility under the supervision of the superintendent of the Arizona state hospital that provides treatment under ARS Title 36, Chapter 37 or the secure state mental health facility where the defendant is committed;

(vi) a lawful representative of a service provider designated by the court to provide inpatient or outpatient treatment or to monitor or supervise any other terms and conditions of a person's placement in a less restrictive alternative under ARS §§ 36-3710 or 36-4005;

(vii) a retained or appointed competent professional under ARS § 36-4002; and

(viii) upon a showing of good cause and after notice to the parties to the case, any other person the judge presiding over the case has authorized to access the document.

(C) A party filing a paper document that is closed under this section must identify the document as confidential by placing it in an envelope or box marked with the case name, the case number, the name of the document being filed, the name of the party filing the document, and the words "Confidential Document." A confidential document referenced in a pleading or motion as an exhibit, attachment, or appendix must state on the envelope or box the title of that pleading or motion and identify the exhibit, attachment, or appendix number. A party must place all confidential documents in one or more envelopes or boxes that conceal the contents.

(D) The clerk is not required to review a document to determine whether it is a confidential document. The responsibility for identifying confidential documents, including for electronic filings, rests solely with the person filing a document.

(E) All other documents in ARS Title 36, Chapters 37 and 40 case files maintained by the clerk of the court are open to the public, unless prohibited by law or sealed by court order.

(e)Access to Administrative Records. All administrative records are open to the public except as provided herein:

(1)Employee Records. Records maintained for human resources purposes concerning individuals who are employees or who perform volunteer services are closed except for the following information:

(A) full name of individual;

(B) date of employment;

(C) current and previous job titles and descriptions, and effective dates of employment;

(D) name, location and phone number of court and/or office to which the individual has been assigned;

(E) current and previous salaries and dates of each change;

(F) name of current or last known supervisor;

(G) information authorized to be released by the individual to the public unless prohibited by law.

(H) records concerning employee misconduct or discipline, but only on a showing of good cause for release of a record as determined in the process provided in paragraph (f)(5) of this rule; such records may be accessed by court personnel for official purposes and by an employee who is the subject of the discipline, to the extent such access is permitted or required by applicable personnel policies.

(2)Applicant Records. Unless otherwise provided by law, the names and resumes of final candidates for high-level administrative positions shall be open to the public, after the home addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact information have been redacted. All other records concerning applicants for employment or volunteer services are closed.

(3)Judicial Case Assignments. Records regarding the identity of any appellate judge or justice assigned to prepare a written decision or opinion until the same is filed are closed.

(4)Security Records. All security plans, codes and other records that provide for the security of information, individuals, or property in the possession or custody of the courts against theft, tampering, improper use, illegal releases, trespass, or physical abuse or violence, are closed.

(5)Procurement Records. Procurement and bid records are open to the public except as provided herein:

(A) Sealed Bids. Sealed bid records are closed to the public prior to opening the bids at the time specified in the bid request.

(B) Invitation for Bid. Bid records submitted under section (H) of ACJA § 1-402: Procurement Code for the Judicial Branch or equivalent rules shall remain closed to the public after opening until a contract is signed, except that the amount of each bid and the name of each bidder shall be recorded and available for public inspection.

(C) Competitive Sealed Proposals and Requests for Qualifications. Records containing competitive sealed proposals and requests for qualification submissions under section (I) or (J) of ACJA § 1-402: Procurement Code for the Judicial Branch or equivalent rules, shall remain closed to the public after opening until a contract is signed, except that the name of each bidder shall be publicly read and recorded.

(D) Trade Secrets. Bid records designated by the bidder as containing trade secrets or other proprietary data shall remain closed to the public only when the judicial branch unit concurs in the designation.

(6)Preliminary and Draft Reports Concerning Court Operations; Pre-decisional Documents. Final administrative documents and reports concerning the operation of the court system are open for public inspection and copying by the custodian on court premises. Preliminary drafts of such reports, and pre-decisional documents relating to court operations, shall be open once such draft reports and such pre-decisional documents are circulated to any court policy advisory committee or the public for comment.

(7)Patron Records. Records maintained in any court law library, clerk's office or court that link a patron's name with materials requested or borrowed by the patron, or that link a patron's name with a specific subject about which the patron has requested information or materials are closed. This provision shall not preclude a library, clerk's office or court from requiring that the request specify any commercial use intended for the records as provided in paragraph (f) of this rule.

(8)Remote Electronic Access User Records. Data or information that would disclose that a user of a remote electronic access system has accessed a particular court record is closed. Record access information shall be accessible by the public only on a showing of good cause pursuant to the process set forth in paragraph (f) of this rule.

(9)Attorney and Judicial Work Product.

(A) The legal work product and other records of any attorney or law clerk employed by or representing the judicial branch, that are produced in the regular course of business or representation of the judicial branch are closed unless disclosed by the court.

(B) All notes, memoranda or drafts thereof prepared by a judge or other court personnel at the direction of a judge and used in the course of deliberations on rule or administrative matters are closed.

(10)Juror Records. The dates of birth, email addresses, home and work telephone numbers and addresses of jurors, and all other information obtained by special screening questionnaires or in voir dire proceedings that personally identifies jurors summoned for service, except the names of jurors on the master jury list, are confidential, unless disclosed in open court or otherwise opened by order of the court.

(11)Proprietary and Licensed Material. Computer programs or other records that are subject to proprietary rights or licensing agreements shall only be disclosed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable agreements and licenses, or by court order. No records shall be closed to the public solely because access is provided by programs or applications subject to licensing agreements, or because they are subject to proprietary rights.

(12)Copyrighted Documents and Materials. Documents and materials produced and copyrighted by the court are open to public inspection but may not be re-published without proper authorization from the court.

(13)Judicial Branch Training Materials and Records. Evaluation materials and records generated by participants in judicial education programs such as test scores, educational assessments, practical exercise worksheets, and similar materials are closed.

(14)Certification Records. Proprietary materials required to be submitted to the Supreme Court by applicants for certification or licensing are closed. Applicants for certification or licensure shall be responsible for clearly identifying any material they consider to be proprietary at the time the material is submitted.

(f)Access to Records in Paper Medium.

(1)Filing a Request. A request to inspect or obtain copies of records that are open to the public shall be made orally or in a written format acceptable to the custodian. The request shall specify any commercial use intended for the records. All requests for copies must include sufficient information to reasonably identify what is being sought. The applicant shall not be required to have detailed knowledge of the court's filing system or procedures.

(2)Timely Response. Upon receiving a request to inspect or obtain copies of records, the custodian shall promptly respond orally or in writing concerning the availability of the records, and provide the records in a reasonable time based upon the following factors:

(A) Immediate availability of the requested records;

(B) Specificity of the request and need for clarification;

(C) Amount of equipment, materials, staff time and other resources required to satisfy the request; or

(D) Whether the requested records are located at the court or in off-site storage.

(3)Cost; Non-Commercial and Commercial Purposes.

(A) Applicants who request records for non-commercial purposes shall not be charged any fee for the cost of searching for a record or redacting confidential information from a record, except as provided by statute, nor shall they be required to disclose the intended purpose or use of the records. If no fee is prescribed by statute, the custodian shall collect a per page fee based upon the reasonable cost of reproduction.

(B) An applicant requesting copies, printouts or photographs of records for a commercial purpose shall provide a verified or acknowledged statement to the custodian setting forth the commercial purpose and specific use intended for the records. If the custodian has reason to believe an applicant has failed to adequately disclose the commercial purpose or use of the requested records, the custodian may require additional information regarding the intended use of the records. The custodian shall collect a fee for the cost of:

(i) obtaining the original or copies of the records and all redaction costs; and

(ii) the time, equipment and staff used in producing such reproduction.

Notwithstanding the above provision, the Clerks of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals shall distribute copies of opinions to authorized publishers free of charge for publication pursuant to law and Ariz.Const. Art. 6, § 8.

(C) The custodian may make billing or payment arrangements with the applicant before satisfying the request, and is authorized to receive and hold deposits for estimated costs until costs are finally determined.

(4)Delay or Denial; Explanation.

(A) The custodian is required to comply with any request for records, except requests that are determined:

(i) to create an undue financial burden on court operations because of the amount of equipment, materials, staff time and other resources required to satisfy the request;

(ii) to substantially interfere with the constitutionally or statutorily mandated functions of the court or the office of the custodian;

(iii) to be filed for the purpose of harassing or substantially interfering with the routine operations of the court; or

(iv) to be submitted within one month following the date of a prior request, that is substantially identical to one received from the same source or applicant and previously denied, unless applicable rules, law or circumstances restricting access have changed.

(B)

(i) If a request cannot be granted within a reasonable time or at all, the custodian shall inform the applicant in writing of the nature of any problem delaying or preventing access, and if applicable, the specific federal or state statute, law, court or administrative rule or order that is the basis of the delay or denial. If access to any record is denied for any reason, the custodian shall explore in good faith with the applicant alternatives to allow access to the requested records, including redaction of confidential information.

(ii) If unsuccessful, the custodian shall meet with the judge having immediate, supervisory responsibility for the daily operations of the respective court, to determine if an alternative means of access to the records may be provided for the applicant. Thereafter, as soon as practicable, the judge shall inform the applicant if the denial is affirmed. Reviews of the foregoing denial and all other denials shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (f)(5) below.

(5)Review of Denials to Access Records.

(A) Any applicant who is denied access to or copies of any record, bulk data, or compiled data pursuant to this rule, shall be entitled to an administrative review of that decision by the presiding judge. The request for review must be filed in writing with the custodian who denied the request within 10 business days of a denial made under paragraph (f)(4) above. The custodian shall forward the request for review, a statement of the reason for denial, and all relevant documentation to the presiding judge or a designee within 5 business days of receipt of the request for review. The presiding judge or designee shall issue a decision as soon as practicable considering the nature of the request and the needs of the applicant, but not more than 10 business days from the date the written request for review was received.

(B) Any party aggrieved by the decision of the presiding judge or designee may seek review by filing a special action pursuant to the Rules of Procedure for Special Actions. If the decision challenged by the special action was issued by a judge of the superior court or court of appeals, the special action shall be filed in the court of appeals. If the decision was issued by a supreme court justice, the special action shall be filed in the supreme court.

(g)Remote Electronic Access to Case Records.

(1) A court may provide remote electronic access to case records as follows:

(A) Parties, Attorneys, and Arbitrators. Parties, attorneys, and arbitrators may be provided remote electronic access, upon registering, to case records that are not sealed in all case types in which the person is an attorney of record, arbitrator, or named party, including an individual, partnership, corporation, association, or public or private organization. An attorney of record on the staff of a public or private law firm may extend access to any other attorney or person working for or on behalf of that public or private law firm, upon the other attorney's or person's registration If the court provides access privileges to attorneys, the privileges also must be provided to self-represented litigants, although the privileges may be limited to records in the self-represented litigant's own case.

(B) Members of the State Bar of Arizona. In addition to access provided by paragraph (g)(1)(A), attorneys who are active members of the State Bar of Arizona may be provided remote electronic access to all case records that are not sealed or confidential by law, as authorized by the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA).

(C) Governmental Entities and Private Organizations Serving a Public Purpose. Any federal, state, tribal or local governmental entity or private organization serving a public purpose may be provided remote electronic access to any case records necessary to carry out a particular governmental or public purpose responsibility. The terms of such access shall be set forth in a memorandum of understanding between the entity or organization and the custodian that includes provisions for safeguarding the confidentiality of any closed records. The director of the Administrative Office of the Courts may enter into a memorandum of understanding with a governmental entity as authorized by the ACJA.

(D) General Public, Registered Users.

(i) Members of the public may be provided remote electronic access pursuant to ACJA § 1-604 to all of the following categories of case records unless sealed or otherwise made confidential by rule or law:

(a) Civil case records in any action brought to enforce, redress, or protect a private or civil right but not:

Juvenile dependency and delinquency or other matters brought under ARS Title 8; Family law, paternity, or other matters arising out of ARS Title 25; Orders of protection, injunctions against harassment and all proceedings, judgments or decrees related to the establishment, modification or enforcement of such orders, including contempt; or Probate proceedings brought under ARS Titles 14; or. mental health proceedings as defined in (d)(6)(A) of this rule.

(b) Civil traffic case records in any action brought as such under ARS Titles 28 or 41 or a matter expressly designated as a civil traffic violation by a traffic ordinance of a city or town, and any boating violation punishable by a civil sanction under ARS Title 5, chapter 3, articles 1 through 11, or a non-traffic ordinance expressly designated a civil violation or a boating ordinance by a city or town.

(c) Criminal case records in any action instituted by the government to punish offenses classified as a misdemeanor or felony brought pursuant to ARS Titles 4, 13, 28, or local ordinance and case records in any action instituted to punish petty offenses classified by ARS § 13-601.

(d) Case records in any action instituted by a county to enforce an ordinance that provides for criminal and civil penalties pursuant to ARS §§ 11-251 and 11-808.

(ii) The following documents shall not be accessible by remote electronic access to users registered under paragraph (g)(1)(D) due to the inability to protect sensitive data that is likely to be contained within these documents:

(a) booking-related documents;

(b) warrants, including search warrants, confidential wiretaps, pen registers, handwriting exemplars, trap and trace, and bench warrants;

(c) charging documents, including criminal and civil traffic charging documents;

(d) pre-sentence reports;

(e) defendant's financial statement;

(f) disposition report;

(g) transcripts; and

(h) all documents in criminal cases in which a defendant is charged with any offense listed in A.R.S. Title 13, chapters 14, 32, 35 or 35.1 or in which the victim was a juvenile at the time of the offense. The prosecuting agency, upon filing a charging document described in this paragraph, shall advise the clerk that the case is subject to this provision.

Upon motion by a party, by any person, or upon the court's own motion, and for good cause shown, the court in which such action is pending may issue an order to allow remote electronic access to members of the public, as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(D), to any case in which a defendant is charged with an offense listed in A.R.S. Title 13, chapters 14, 32, 35 or 35.1 or in which the victim was a juvenile at the time of the offense as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(D)(ii)(h). The order may include any appropriate provision required to protect the juvenile or other victim from embarrassment or oppression. The burden of showing good cause for an order shall remain with the person seeking remote electronic access to the case record. Irrespective of an order limiting electronic access under this paragraph, the clerk shall provide non-registered users remote electronic access as set forth in paragraph (E)(ii) herein when the court generally provides such non-registered user access in other cases.

(E) General Public, Non-Registered Users. Unless otherwise provided by rule or law, members of the public may be provided remote electronic access, without registering, to:

(i) the following data elements in juvenile delinquency, probate, and criminal cases in which a defendant is charged with an offense listed in A.R.S. Title 13, chapters 14, 32, 35 or 35.1 or in which the victim was a juvenile at the time of the offense as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(D)(ii)(h) above:

party names, case number, judicial assignment, attorney names, and in the above-described criminal cases only, the docket or register of actions, but not remote electronic access to other documents, so long as the names of victims do not appear in the docket or the register of actions.

(ii) except as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(D)(ii)(h) above, individual case information extracted from a case management system in all civil except mental health proceedings, criminal, and civil traffic cases identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(D)(i)(a) through (d). Case information includes a list of documents filed, events, dates, calendars, party names, month and year of birth, residential city, state and zip code, case number, judicial assignment, attorneys, charges filed or claims made, interim rulings, and case outcomes, including sentence, fines, payment history, minute entries, and notices. Case information does not include any information regarding the registration, filing of a petition for, or issuance of an order of protection or an injunction against harassment, if such publication would be likely to reveal to the general public the identity or location of the party protected under such order.

(iii) Case information may be provided for family law matters, with minute entries limited only to those issued during hearings conducted in open court or in chambers when one or more parties or their counsel are present. For purposes of this subsection, case information includes a list of documents filed, events, dates, calendars, party names, month and year of birth, residential city, state and zip code, case number, judicial assignment, attorneys, payment history, minute entries, and notices. Case information does not include any information regarding the registration, filing of a petition for, or issuance of an order of protection or an injunction against harassment, if such publication would be likely to reveal to the general public the identity or location of the party protected under such order.

(iv) court of appeals and supreme court opinions and decisions in all case types, except that any appendix in criminal cases in which a defendant is charged with any offense listed in A.R.S. Title 13, chapters 14, 32, 35 or 35.1 or in which the victim was a juvenile at the time of the offense as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(D)(ii)(h) above, shall not be provided by remote electronic access.

(2)Registration and fees. The registration process and fees for remote electronic access to case records shall be established by the Supreme Court upon the recommendation of the Arizona Judicial Council, and shall be an amount as reasonable as possible to develop, implement, maintain, and enhance the remote electronic access to case records system. All information provided by a potential user for registration purposes shall be closed. Remote access provided pursuant to paragraph (g)(1)(C) shall not require registration or payment of any fees.

(3) Courts and clerks of court shall not display case records online except:

A. minute entries, as provided by ARS §§ 12-283(I);

B. case records, as ordered by the court in a particular high profile case that creates great public or media interest to which the court can more timely and efficiently respond by displaying records of the case online;

C. audio or video of any case, as authorized by the presiding judge of the court, the chief judge of the court of appeals, or the chief justice of the supreme court; or

D. as otherwise provided in this rule.

Any remote electronic access shall be conditioned upon the user's agreement to access the information only as instructed by the court, not to attempt any unauthorized access, and to consent to monitoring by the court of all use of the system. The court will also notify users that it will not be liable for inaccurate or untimely information, or for misinterpretation or misuse of the data. Such agreement and notices shall be provided to the users in any manner the court deems appropriate. The court may deny access to users for failure to comply with such requirements. The court or clerk of court that establishes remote electronic access to case records may also establish limitations on remote electronic access based on the needs of the court, limitations on technology and equipment, staff resources and funding.

(4) Courts and clerks of court must clearly and prominently display current charge dispositions for any case that the court or clerk of court makes publicly available online.

(5) Courts or clerks of court must post a prominent disclosure on the court's public access website stating that the availability of case management system data and case records is subject to the court's records retention schedule.

(6) Courts or clerks of court must remove case management system data and case records from online display according to the applicable records retention schedule provided in Ariz. Code Jud. Admin. § 3-402 or § 4-302.

(7) The clerk of the court, court, court agency, or their employees shall be immune from suit for any conduct relating to the electronic posting of case documents in accordance with this rule.

(8) Data or information that would disclose that a user of a remote electronic access system has accessed a particular court record is closed. Record access information shall be accessible by the public only on a showing of good cause pursuant to the process set forth in paragraph (f) of this rule.

(9) This paragraph (g) shall not limit the public's right of access to records, whether in paper or electronic format, at a court-designated facility.

(h)Access to Audiotape, Videotape, Microfilm, Computer or Electronic Based Records.

(1)Scope. This section applies to all requests to access or obtain copies of any audiotape, videotape, microfilm, computer or electronic based records maintained by the court, except for requests initiated by judges, court administrators, or clerks of the court for use in the administration or internal business of the court.

(2)Authority; Procedures.

(A) Except by court order, only the custodian or designee is authorized by this rule to provide access to or copies of computer or electronic based records.

(B) All the requirements set forth in paragraph (f), except subparagraph (3) thereof, are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to requests for records submitted pursuant to this section.

(3)Cost to Obtain Copies.

(A) The custodian shall first meet with the applicant to understand the scope of the request so it can be defined as precisely as possible. The cost to obtain copies of information held electronically, which requires no programming or translation, shall be limited to the cost of materials. If a request requires programming or translation, the applicant shall bear the actual cost incurred by the court to comply with the request for copies of records. If no fee is prescribed by law, the custodian shall collect a fee covering the cost of producing the requested records, including staff time, computer time, programming costs, equipment, materials and supplies.

(B) Unless otherwise prescribed by law relating to the collection and deposit of fees by the custodian, the custodian may retain the fees collected pursuant to paragraph (h)(3)(A) to compensate for the expenses related to reproduction of electronic records.

(4)Databases, Operating Systems and Network Programs.

(A) Databases and electronic records containing case and administrative records are open to the public. However, databases and electronic records containing confidential information that may not be entirely redacted, or records or information that is not subject to public inspection under law, rule, or court order, may be closed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (f)(4).

(B) Documentation and other records that describe the technical location, design, function, operation, or access control features of any court computer network, automated data processing or telecommunications systems, are closed to the public.

(C) Consistent with the court's obligation to provide public access to its records, and subject to resource limitations, the design and operation of all future automated record management systems shall incorporate processing features and procedures that maximize the availability of court records maintained in electronic medium. Automated systems development policy shall require the identification and segregation of confidential data elements from data base sections that are accessible to the public. Whenever feasible, any major enhancement or upgrade to existing systems shall include modifications that segregate confidential information from publicly accessed data bases.

(5)Correcting Data Errors; Administrative Review.

(A) Data entry inaccuracies in court calendars, case indexes, or case dockets in a court's case management system may be corrected at any time by the custodian of the record on the custodian's own initiative or on request of an individual as provided in paragraph (h)(5). Clerical errors in judgments, orders, or other parts of the record may be corrected as provided by the applicable rules of procedure.

(B) An individual seeking to correct a data error or omission in an electronic case record shall be entitled to apply for relief with the court in which the original record was filed. The individual shall submit the request to correct the error to the clerk of the court, if any, or to the justice of the peace or municipal court judge. If the custodian to whom the request was submitted determines that the data entry is inaccurate, the custodian shall correct the error as soon as practicable.

(C) If the request is denied by the clerk of an appellate court, the individual may apply for administrative review of the denial by the designated appellate judge or justice. If the request is denied by the clerk of a superior court or by a justice of the peace or municipal court judge, the individual may apply for administrative review of the denial by the presiding superior court judge. The request for administrative review must be filed in writing with the custodian who denied the request within 10 business days of issuance of a denial. The custodian shall forward the request for review, a statement of the reason for denial and all relevant documentation to the presiding or designated judge or justice within 5 business days of the request for review. The presiding or designated judge or justice shall issue a decision as soon as practicable considering the nature of the request and the needs of the applicant, but not later than 10 business days from the date the written request for review was received by the custodian. If the decision of the presiding or designated judge or justice is that the data entry is inaccurate, the custodian shall correct the error as soon as practicable.

(D) Any party aggrieved by the decision of the judge or justice may seek review by filing a special action pursuant to the Rules of Procedure for Special Actions. If the decision challenged by the special action was issued by a judge of the superior court or court of appeals, the special action shall be filed in the court of appeals. If the decision was issued by a supreme court justice, the special action shall be filed in the supreme court.

(i)Inspection and Photocopying.

(1)Access to Original Records. During regular business hours a person shall be allowed to inspect or obtain copies of original versions of records that are open to the public in the office where such records are normally kept. If access to original records would result in disclosure of information which is not permitted, redacted copies of the closed records may be produced. If access to the original records would jeopardize the integrity of the records, or is otherwise impracticable, a copy of the complete records in other appropriate formats may be produced for inspection. Unless expressly authorized by the custodian or court order, records shall not be removed from the office where they are normally kept.

(2)Access to Certain Evidence. Documents and physical objects admitted into evidence shall be available for public inspection under such condition as the responsible custodian may deem appropriate to protect the security of the evidence.

(j)Bulk or Compiled Data Dissemination in Bulk.

(1)Requests for bulk or compiled court data.

(A) A custodian may release bulk data to an individual, a private company, or a public organization under this policy. Before releasing bulk data, a custodian shall require the recipient to execute a dissemination contract and disclaimer containing provisions specified by the supreme court.

(B) A custodian may contract with a private company or public organization to provide specialized reports to those requesting them.

(2)Denying requests for bulk data. The custodian may deny a request for bulk data in compliance with paragraphs (c), (f)(4), and (h)(4)(A).

(3)Personal identifiers available in bulk court data. The custodian of bulk data may release data that contains the following personal identifying information about a petitioner, plaintiff, respondent, or defendant other than a petitioner seeking an order of protection or the subject person in a mental health proceeding:

(A) name,

(B) address,

(C) date of birth, and

(D) last four digits of the social security or driver license number.

(4) Dissemination of bulk or compiled data is not permitted except as provided in this rule or as permitted by court order.

Ariz. R. Sup. Ct. 123

Added Oct. 9, 1997, effective 12/1/1997. Amended Sept. 24, 1999, effective 12/1/1999; 9/18/2006, effective 1/1/2007; 9/3/2009, effective 1/1/2010; 11/10/2009, effective 1/1/2010; 8/30/2012, effective 1/1/2013; 12/10/2012, effective 9/1/2013; 8/28/2013, effective 1/1/2014; 8/27/2015, effective 1/1/2016; 9/2/2016, effective 1/1/2017; amended effective 1/1/2019; amended effective 1/1/2020; amended Aug. 29, 2022, effective 9/24/2022; amended Dec. 8, 2022, effective 1/1/2023; amended Aug. 24, 2023, effective 10/30/2023; amended Aug. 24, 2023, effective 1/1/2024; amended December 6, 2023, effective 12/6/2023 immediately; amended December 6, 2023, effective 1/1/2024; amended August 22, 2024, effective 8/22/2024; amended August 22, 2024, effective 9/14/2024.

COURT COMMENTS [1997]

Paragraph (c)(2). This provision mandates the producer and custodian of records to identifiably segregate from the public case records, all administrative documents containing confidential information to avoid inadvertent disclosures. After confidential documents have been removed or information has been redacted from a record, a description of the excised data shall be placed therein, unless the description itself constitutes a violation of confidentiality.

Paragraph (d)(1)(A). Following passage of the Stop Juvenile Crime Initiative (Proposition 102) in November 1996, the legislature made substantial revisions to juvenile delinquency proceedings that included opening juvenile court records to the public. See ARS § 8-208, amended effective July 21, 1997.

Paragraph (d)(2)(A). The intent of this subsection is to eliminate uncertainty among users regarding who has the primary responsibility to identify and segregate the criminal history record information (CHRI) under section (9) of Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 94-16 (Victims' Rights Implementation Procedures), or other mandates. The probation department or other units that initially obtain or produce the CHRI have the primary responsibility to identify and segregate the CHRI from the open portions of the records. The clerk's office has continuing responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of the CHRI that has been marked confidential by the primary user.

Paragraph (e)(2). This section does not apply to the records of applicants for judicial appointments or membership on appellate and trial court commissions. Disclosure of information relating to applicants for judicial and commission appointments are subject to the Uniform Rules of Procedure for Commissions on Appellate and Trial Court Appointments.

Paragraph (e)(6). This section does not require that draft reports or pre-decisional documents on court operations be maintained or preserved as a public record except as required by applicable records retention policies.

Paragraph (e)(7). This section is intended to assure the confidentiality of the record of materials borrowed by any patron; however, the patron's name and address are public records.

Paragraph (e)(11). This section acknowledges the court's authority under federal copyright law, to control the copying or re-publication of public records that may be copyrighted by the court. Materials that may be copyrighted include all original writings (except judicial opinions), drawings, audio and video recordings, computer programs and applications, or other original publications, produced by a court employee within the scope of employment.

Paragraph (f)(4)(A). Public access to the records of court proceedings is an essential element of a democratic system. Court personnel have a duty to assist the public in obtaining information on their judicial system. That duty is no less a part of court operations than are the other primary duties of the judiciary. This paragraph (f)(4)(A) is intended to deal with situations in which a request jeopardizes the operations of the court, and not to justify refusal of public record requests because compliance will require effort on the part of court personnel.

[1999] COURT COMMENT TO PARAGRAPH (C)(4)

The public is entitled to inspect and obtain copies of court records that are maintained on computer systems or in other non-paper medium as provided in this rule. Because of convenience and cost efficiency, the court is committed to maximizing the availability of records to the public through electronic systems. The production or reproduction of records in a non-standard form or format is encouraged as a service to the public. However, producing or reproducing any record in a form or format not used in the court's ordinary business operations is at the discretion of the custodian.

[1999] COURT COMMENT TO SECTION (F)(3)

This section incorporates the common law exemption for newspapers from the fees charged applicants who seek records for commercial purposes. In Star Publishing v. Parks, 178 Ariz, 604, 875 P.2d 837 (1993), the Court of Appeals, Div. II, determined that newspapers were not engaged in "the direct economic exploitation of public records," and therefore were not subject to the commercial use fees charged by the state under ARS § 39-121.03. For the same reason, those that are regularly engaged in gathering, reporting, writing, editing, publishing or broadcasting news to the public are not considered commercial users of court records.

[2009] COURT COMMENT TO PARAGRAPH (H)(5)

This provision is intended to allow individuals to seek correction of data entry errors appearing in case management system data likely to be displayed online or disseminated in bulk or compiled fashion. The process for correcting errors appearing in judgments, orders, and other parts of the record is governed by current rules, including Rule 60, Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 24.4, Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Rule 85, Rules of Family Law Procedure.

COMMENT TO 2014 AMENDMENT TO PARAGRAPH (G)(1)(E)(III)

Courts and clerks of court should prominently note on their document access website that it may not display all documents in a case and that additional or subsequent documents or orders may be available from the court or clerk of court.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

The June 6, 2005 amendment of this rule by Order No. R-03-0012, which was to become effective December 1, 2005, was vacated by Order dated September 27, 2005.