Cochise County Court Docket Records

Court dockets in Cochise County are kept by Clerk of Superior Court Amy J. Hunley and staff at the courthouse in Bisbee, the historic county seat. All felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $10,000, family law matters such as divorce and child custody, and probate proceedings go through Superior Court where complete docket records are maintained. The clerk's office at 100 Quality Hill Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603 provides public access to these court dockets during regular business hours, and the public can also search case information online through the statewide portal that covers all Arizona courts.

How to Search Court Dockets

The Clerk of Superior Court handles all public records requests for court dockets and case files. Call 520-432-8600 to reach the clerk's office. Staff can search by party name or case number and tell you what documents are in the file. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can visit in person at 100 Quality Hill Road in Bisbee to request copies of documents from the court file. Bring photo identification with you when visiting the courthouse for security purposes.

Online access to court dockets is available free through the statewide portal at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess. This system covers 177 courts in Arizona including all Cochise County courts. Search by name or case number. Results show case type, charges or claims, key dates, and status. You can view docket summaries without creating an account or paying any fees. The portal is accessible any time of day from any device with internet access, which is helpful for people who cannot visit the courthouse during business hours or who live far from Bisbee.

The Clerk of Superior Court main page at cochise.az.gov provides contact information and details about the clerk's services, as shown below.

This page explains the clerk's role in maintaining court files, processing filings, collecting fees, and providing public access to court dockets and documents.

Note: The clerk does not accept phone or fax requests for copies of court documents. You must submit requests in person, by mail, or through the online eAccess system.

Types of Cases on Court Dockets

Criminal court dockets in Cochise County include all felony prosecutions. Drug crimes, theft over $1,000, burglary, assault, weapons offenses, fraud, and serious DUI charges all appear on criminal dockets. The docket shows the defendant's name, the specific charges filed by the prosecutor, the defense attorney assigned, all court appearance dates, plea agreements if any, trial dates, and sentencing outcomes. Each entry on the docket is dated so you can track the case from arraignment through final disposition. The docket also shows any pretrial motions filed and how the court ruled on those motions, which can affect the outcome of a case significantly.

Civil dockets cover lawsuits between parties over money or property. Personal injury claims from accidents, contract disputes between businesses or individuals, real estate disagreements, foreclosure actions, and business litigation all appear in civil court dockets. The docket identifies who sued whom, the amount claimed, when the complaint was served, the defendant's response, all motions filed by both sides, hearing results, and the final judgment or settlement. You can follow a civil case through the docket to see what actions have been taken and what stage the case has reached.

Family law dockets include divorce petitions, legal separation, child custody modifications, child support enforcement, paternity cases, and protective orders. The docket lists both parties, shows the filing date, records temporary order hearings, notes mediation sessions, documents trial dates for contested matters, and shows final decrees or orders. Some family law information may be sealed to protect children's privacy, but basic docket entries showing case status and hearing schedules are generally public. Courts encourage parents to work out custody and support through mediation before going to trial, and the docket will show whether mediation occurred and whether it resolved the dispute.

Probate court dockets show estates of deceased persons, guardianships, and conservatorships. The docket identifies the decedent or protected person, the personal representative or guardian appointed by the court, creditor claims filed, asset inventories, and distribution orders. These cases can last many months as estates are settled and guardianships are supervised. The docket provides a complete record of all court actions throughout the process.

Sealed cases do not appear in public searches. Juvenile delinquency matters are confidential. Mental health proceedings are sealed. Adoption records cannot be accessed by the public. Even if you know a sealed case exists, it will not show up in any public docket search.

Requesting Copies of Documents

The records request instructions page at cochise.az.gov explains how to get copies of court documents, as shown in this screenshot.

This page provides the forms, fees, and procedures for requesting copies of documents from court files.

In-person requests are handled at the clerk's office in Bisbee. Walk in during business hours. Provide the case number or party names. Tell the clerk which documents you need copied. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $35 per document plus the per-page copy fee. Certification adds an official seal and signature from the clerk to verify authenticity. Pay at the counter with cash, check, or credit card.

For mail requests, write to Clerk of Superior Court, 100 Quality Hill Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603. Include the case number, names of all parties, a list of documents you want, and your return address. Send payment by check or money order for the copy fees. Add $8 for postage and handling. The clerk will process your request and mail the documents to you. Allow two to four weeks for processing depending on workload. During peak periods such as summer vacation season when staff levels may be reduced, expect delays in processing.

Email inquiries can be sent to cochiseclerk@courts.az.gov or cochisecountyresearch@courts.az.gov for questions about records. The clerk's staff can tell you what documents are available and what fees apply, but they cannot send court records by email. You still need to submit a formal request and pay the required fees.

The eAccess system at eaccess.azcourts.gov lets you purchase court documents online for $10 per document. Create an account with your email and credit card. Search for your case. Select which documents to download. Pay and receive PDF copies immediately. This option costs more than getting copies from the clerk but provides instant access.

Justice Courts in Cochise County

Cochise County has six Justice Courts serving different areas. Bisbee Justice Court handles cases in the county seat. Douglas Justice Court serves the southern border area. Benson Justice Court covers the northwest region. Willcox Justice Court handles cases in that city and surrounding areas. Sierra Vista Justice Court serves the largest city in the county. Precinct 6 covers additional areas. These courts handle misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, civil cases up to $10,000, small claims up to $3,500, and eviction proceedings.

Each Justice Court maintains its own case files and dockets. You must contact the specific precinct where the case was filed to get copies of documents. The statewide search portal includes Justice Court cases, so you can search all six precincts at once to locate a case. This is convenient when you do not know which precinct handled your case or when you need to search multiple jurisdictions at the same time.

Visit the Justice of the Peace page at cochise.az.gov for contact information and jurisdiction details.

This page lists all six Justice Court precincts with addresses, phone numbers, and the areas each court serves.

Justice Court dockets show parties, charges or claims, hearing dates, and outcomes. Many cases are resolved quickly through plea agreements or fine payments. More complex misdemeanors may require multiple hearings or trials. The docket tracks all court appearances and shows the final disposition.

Nearby Counties

Cochise County borders several other counties in Arizona and Mexico. If your case was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, check these court systems:

• Pima County to the west
• Pinal County to the northwest
• Graham County to the north
• Greenlee County to the northeast
• Santa Cruz County to the southwest

Cases filed in Mexico would be in that country's legal system and would not appear in Arizona court searches. Each jurisdiction maintains separate court dockets and records.