Answers verified against official agency websites and state statutes. Note: County-level FAQ — applies to all of Maricopa County. No city-specific FAQ is available yet — the answers below apply to the broader jurisdiction.
❓Where do I find business records in Maricopa?▼
Arizona business registrations are split between two state agencies, depending on entity type. (1) **Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, nonprofits** — registered with the **Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC)**, 1300 W Washington St, Phoenix AZ 85007, phone (602) 542-3026. Free public search at https://ecorp.azcc.gov/EntitySearch — returns status, formation date, statutory agent, principal address, officers/managers, annual reports, and document images. (2) **Trade names (DBAs), trademarks, sole proprietorships** — registered with the **Arizona Secretary of State**, 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix AZ 85007. Search at https://apps.azsos.gov/apps/tntp/se.html. (3) **Filed business documents** (Articles of Incorporation, mergers, amendments) at https://efiling.azcc.gov/public-records — image downloads free. (4) **Phoenix/Maricopa city-level business licenses** — City of Phoenix at https://www.phoenix.gov/finance/plt; Mesa at https://www.mesaaz.gov; each city issues its own privilege/transaction tax license. (5) **Statewide TPT (Transaction Privilege Tax) license** — Arizona Department of Revenue at https://aztaxes.gov; required for most retail/service businesses. **Tip**: when checking before doing business, run BOTH ACC and SOS — many DBAs aren't with ACC. Sources: AZ Corporation Commission, AZ Secretary of State, AZ Commerce Authority.
⚖️How do I look up a court case in Chandler?▼
Chandler court cases live in two systems depending on case type. (1) **Misdemeanors, traffic, civil violations, and city-ordinance cases** are at the **Chandler Municipal Court**, 200 E Chicago St, Chandler AZ 85225, phone (480) 782-4700. Free case lookup at https://www.chandleraz.gov/residents/chandler-municipal-court/find-my-case — search by name or case number. The Court Calendar Search at https://www.chandleraz.gov/residents/chandler-municipal-court/court-case-search shows all pending cases. (2) **Felonies, divorce, probate, civil over $10,000, and family** go to the **Maricopa County Superior Court** — search at https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/index.asp (the official docket) or https://apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx (statewide Arizona Judicial Branch portal). Justice Court (small claims, eviction, civil up to $10K) for Chandler residents is the **Kyrene Justice Court** at https://justicecourts.maricopa.gov/app/courtrecords/casesearch. **Sealed cases**, juvenile, and expunged records are not visible. Document copies: $0.50/page uncertified, certified copy $30 first page + $0.50 each additional. Sources: Chandler Municipal Court, Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access.
🚔How do I look up an arrest in Maricopa?▼
Maricopa arrests sit with whichever agency made the booking. **Order of speed**: (1) **Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Inmate Locator** at https://www.mcso.org or 602-876-1011 — current inmates across the 9,000-bed jail system (4th Avenue, Lower Buckeye, Towers, Estrella, Durango). Updated continuously; searchable by name. Non-emergency line 602-876-4636. (2) **City police arrest logs** for arrests inside city limits: Phoenix PD Adult Arrests Dashboard https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/police/crime-stats-data/crime-stats-maps.html/published/8g516L4Wc; Mesa PD, Scottsdale PD, Tempe PD, Glendale PD, Chandler PD, Peoria PD, Surprise PD all maintain blotters. (3) **Court filings** for any arrest that produced a charge: Maricopa County Superior Court https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/index.asp; Justice Courts https://justicecourts.maricopa.gov/app/courtrecords/casesearch. (4) **Older arrests / closed cases**: written records request to MCSO Records Division (550 W Jackson St, Phoenix, 602-876-1801) under A.R.S. § 39-121, copy fees apply. (5) **State prison**: Arizona DOC inmate search https://corrections.az.gov/inmate-data-search. For your own personal arrest record, fingerprint-based AZ DPS Personal Review at https://psp.azdps.gov ($22 first / $7 each additional). Sources: MCSO, Phoenix Police Open Data, Maricopa Superior Court, AZ DOC.
❓Where can I access police reports regarding false complaints that I damaged a house?▼
Phoenix Police incident reports are public under **A.R.S. § 39-121**. Two paths to request a copy of a report involving a complaint that you damaged a house: (1) **Online via the Phoenix Public Safety records portal** at https://phxpublicsafety.phoenix.gov — submit the request, pay by credit card. **Fees** (current): Incident Report **$5.00** flat fee (some sources cite $0.24/page; the $5 flat is the Public Records Bureau's official quote). Body-cam audio/video $4.00 per file, photographs $4.00. Turnaround typically 7–10 business days. (2) **In person or mail** to **Phoenix Police Public Records & Services Bureau**, 1717 E Grant St, Phoenix AZ 85034 (https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/police/crime-stats-data/public-records-crime-stats.html). **Important when the complaint is false or has gone to court**: a record showing your name as a complainant or as a person of interest is releasable to you under § 39-121; the agency can redact other parties' personal info but not the report's substance. If charges were filed and dropped or resulted in a not-guilty verdict, you may also petition under A.R.S. § 13-911 to set aside or seal the record. For the criminal-damage statute itself (Class 1–4 misdemeanor or Class 4 felony depending on dollar amount), see https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/police/public-safety-services/business-crime-prevention/report-criminal-property-damage.html. Talk to a defense attorney before any sealing motion. Sources: Phoenix Police Public Records FAQ, A.R.S. § 39-121, Jackson White Law.
⚖️What's the right place to search court cases in Maricopa?▼
Maricopa County court cases run through three layers; the right portal depends on case type. (1) **Maricopa County Superior Court** — felonies, divorce, probate, civil cases over $10,000, juvenile (sealed), family. Search the official **Docket** at https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/index.asp — name, case number, attorney, judge. The Superior Court handles ~250,000 new filings per year and is the largest in the state. (2) **Maricopa County Justice Courts** — civil under $10,000, eviction, small claims, traffic, misdemeanor citations. There are 26 Justice Court precincts; case lookup at https://justicecourts.maricopa.gov/app/courtrecords/casesearch. Pick the right precinct (Kyrene, Arrowhead, Encanto, etc.) by the address where the citation issued. (3) **Municipal Courts** — city ordinance and traffic cases inside city limits: Phoenix Municipal at https://www.phoenix.gov/courts (often the highest volume), Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Peoria, Surprise — each has its own portal, all linked from https://justicecourts.maricopa.gov. **Statewide consolidator**: Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access at https://apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx wraps all three. **Limits**: sealed, juvenile, and expunged cases not visible. Document copies: $0.50/page uncertified, certified copy $30 first page + $0.50 each additional. Sources: Maricopa County Superior Court, Maricopa County Justice Courts, Arizona Judicial Branch.
❓Where can I find the mayor's salary?▼
The Mesa, Arizona mayor's salary is public under **A.R.S. § 39-121** and is set annually by the Mesa City Council. **Current salary** (FY 2025–2026, after the 5% increase approved in the January 26, 2026 Council Meeting): the **Mayor of Mesa earns approximately $78,500/year**; the Vice Mayor and Council members earn proportionally less. **Three best sources**: (1) **City of Mesa published Council Compensation document** at https://public.destinyhosted.com/goodydocs/2026/CC/20260126_2174/3011_Council_Compensation_2025-2026_-FINAL.pdf — the official current pay table. (2) **City of Mesa Alpha Pay Listing** at https://apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/documents/PayPlans/AlphabeticalListing.pdf — every position in city government with pay grades. (3) **GovSalaries / OpenTheBooks** at https://govsalaries.com/salaries/AZ/city-of-mesa/j/mayor — independent compilation, useful for year-over-year comparison. To request the salary of a specific employee or full council expense report, file a written records request with **Mesa City Clerk** (20 E Main St, Mesa AZ 85201, 480-644-2099). Mesa's mayor is currently **John Giles** (term expires January 2027). Sources: City of Mesa Council Compensation 2025-2026 PDF, GovSalaries, AZ Republic Data Central.