Arizona Open Records 
Note: According to this study, Arizona currently ranks 46 out of the 50 states in terms of its sunshine, very close to the bottom of a very dark basement.
Arizona laws and court decisions
Arizona Open Records Statute
Open Government Guide to Arizona's Open Records legislation by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
April 2007 Arizona Supreme Court decision on public/private email question
Tips on filing AZ FOIA requests from the Ross-Blakley Law Library.
Click here for a database that the East Valley Tribune put together of sexual offenders in the public school system.
Letter Generator
Create an open records request that conforms to Arizona's requirements
Exemptions
Document types exempted from public access.
Contacts (addresses for your request)
Arizona City Clerks
Arizona County Clerks
Arizona School Superintendents
Blogs, websites and resources that use open records
(add yours!)
Arizona Republic's Data Center
Arizona Model for preserving Web Documents
Blog posts tagged Arizona open records
News articles about Open Records in Arizona
Head to Sunshine Review for the most recent open record updates in Arizona.
2008
October 30, 2008: Nelson renews calls for release of New Times arrest documents
October 23, 2008: Nelson demands SCA records from Thomas; Thomas office says they don't exist
October 16, 2008: Vasquez used work computer to send info on rival
October 13, 2008: Town officials learn public records law is complicated matter
September 30, 2008: Shortcomings of records law seen in ruling
September 23, 2008: Court: Arpaio didn't provide records 'promptly'
July 15, 2008: MCSO stymies requests for information — even from regulators
June 28, 2008: Why a Free Press?: Legislature opens public records already public
June 18, 2008: Bill makes disciplinary records public
June 17, 2008: Paranoia-ville
June 10, 2008: City attorney refuses News-Sun request
May 28, 2008: Johnson Utilities must release public records
May 18, 2008: Veil of secrecy must be lifted from CPS
May 17, 2008: Amphi must share info parents, taxpayers need
May 16, 2008: Cultural Council contract fails on accountability
May 15, 2008: Ariz. officials to scrutinize Amphi on records denial
May 11, 2008: The Star analyzed millions of records
May 7, 2008: Paper collects $38,000 from sheriff for lawsuit
May 7, 2008: CPS files still closed as more queries raised
May 1, 2008: Public defender cuts red tape, govt. spending
April 30, 2008: Johnson argues to keep records private
April 19, 2008: Edior's Notes: Sheriff’s policy effectively hides public records
April 18, 2008: Public records storage bill goes to governor
April 16, 2008: Public needs ability to peek under shroud
April 4, 2008: Battle heats up between KPNX, Maricopa sheriff's office
March 31, 2008: Concealed weapons bill divides UA community
March 24, 2008: Records on possible water deal blocked
March 22, 2008: Keep records open
March 20, 2008: It's not optional
March 16, 2008: You're the watchdog
March 15, 2008: Chihak: Secrecy shrivels when the sun shines
March 15, 2008: Sheriff to appeal award of legal costs to newspaper
March 8, 2008: Protect the children, not CPS
March 2, 2008: Tribes scrutinized for secret actions
February 25, 2008: Openness must be goal of CPS records change
February 22, 2008: Bill eases some access to CPS records
February 21, 2008: Lawmakers Wrestle with Proposals on Opening CPS Records
February 16, 2008: Sheriff's Office responds to editorial
February 13, 2008: Judge orders sheriff's office to pay $25K in public records case
February 10, 2008: Court rules public records to be released promptly
February 8, 2008: Records must be released in timely fashion, court rules
February 6, 2008: Court sides with 'New Times' in case
February 5, 2008: Court backs faster public record response
January 27, 2008: New bills would make CPS accountable for mistakes
January 20, 2008: Secretive raza studies in Tucson district need close look
January 16, 2008: State bills aim to open CPS records
January 14, 2008: 'Obsessively secretive' approach
January 12, 2008: Why a Free Press? : A clean sweep in fights for records
January 9, 2008: RTA databases to be released
January 8, 2008: Police reports are public record, they don't need ‘approval' to be released
January 2, 2008: City settles e-mail suit for $40K
2007
December 28, 2007: Pima asks court to postpone release of election databases
December 25, 2007: New Times reporter cited by sheriff's office rejects plea deal
December 24, 2007: New Times reporter not pleading guilty
December 22, 2007: Database a good start on sex-abuse teachers
December 20, 2007: Kyl helps open-records bill
December 19, 2007: County records release ordered
December 18, 2007: County paid firm $220,000 after 'New Times' case
December 15, 2007: Why a Free Press?: Fight for openness a lonely one
December 5, 2007: Trial opens in county election-records suit
December 3, 2007: Arizona Lawsuit a Crystal Ball Into 2008 Presidential Vote Count
November 27, 2007: Forest Service Weakens Wildlife Rules Behind Closed Doors
November 1, 2007: Public Wreckers
October 28, 2007: Pastor's job qualifications released
October 23, 2007: Arizona prosecutor denounces media over online public records post
October 21, 2007: Show us all the records in 'New Times' case
October 20, 2007: Stonewalled by gov't? Talk to this guy
October 17, 2007: Hiding the facts (Opinion column) registration required
October 10, 2007: Results, not process, far more important (Opinion column)
October 6, 2007: Why a Free Press? : Internet shining a light on government (registration may be required)
October 5, 2007: Ombudsman office helps public obtain public records
September 13, 2007: Chandler’s Sepulveda stonewalls cell phone bill
September 2, 2007: Public records access can be pricey
August 17, 2007: Court Ruling Approves Advance Public Records Requests
August 16, 2007: Bullhead City newspaper sues city for public records
August 16, 2007: Appeals Court rules for newspaper in public records case
August 11, 2007: Tribune’s court victory over Scottsdale on documents could end the paper trail
August 11, 2007: Why a Free Press? : I'm on record - open to perusal (Opinion column)
August 3, 2007: City responds to resident's e-mail lawsuit
July 26, 2007: Info requests shouldn't be met with litigation
July 20, 2007: State office questioned about legal issues in release of staff evaluations
Judge Must Decide Whether Email is Private
Why a Free Press? Government's actions are hardly open (Opinion column)
This compelling series by the Arizona Daily Star includes a video of Merle Turchik, an assistant city attorney for Tucson, advising public officials on how to sidestep requests for public records. Her presentation was sponsored by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.
How to add to or edit this page
Comments (2)
IConrad said
at 4:18 pm on Jun 1, 2007
I re-directed the URL for the exemptions page directly to the section for Arizona, to save any future readers the extra step. IConrad, 6.1.2007
Maverick said
at 3:40 pm on Jun 4, 2007
Very nice addition, thank you! I hope to have a full list of exemptions to all states' laws at some point. This elimination of an extra step will be even more of a help then.
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