Dubuque IA Arrest Records Search | Police & Court
Dubuque, Iowa · Police arrests, county jail custody, warrants and criminal court cases
Follow a Dubuque Arrest From Police Report to Jail and Final Court Disposition
Dubuque has an unusually useful public-safety system: Police to Citizen combines recent arrests, police reports, calls for service and wanted-person information from several local agencies.
Start there, confirm custody with Dubuque County Jail, then use Iowa Courts Online to determine what was actually filed and how each criminal charge ended.
MISSISSIPPI RECORD ROUTER
LIVE VERIFY
STEP 1 · POLICE
P2C RECENT ARREST
STEP 2 · CUSTODY
COUNTY JAIL
STEP 3 · OUTCOME
IOWA COURTS ONLINE
IDENTITY + CASE MATCH
ARREST + COURT OUTCOME VERIFIED
Arrest does not mean conviction. P2C and jail information describe an arrest or custody event. Prosecutors can amend or dismiss charges, and the final court result can be different from the original arrest allegation.
Recent arrests
Police to Citizen.
Police reports
DPD + Sheriff shared Records Division.
Court cases
Iowa Courts Online is free.
Local background
Dubuque County check available free.
Iowa DCI
$15 per last name.
Dubuque arrest records are split between police, jail and court systems
POLICE TO CITIZEN
Was there a recent arrest?
Search recent arrests, police activity, reports and wanted-person information.
Best first stop for a recent city/county public-safety event.
COUNTY JAIL
Is the person still being held?
Use Dubuque County Jail for current custody and inmate-service questions.
Current custody is different from a historical arrest record.
RECORDS DIVISION
Need the police narrative?
The Records Division provides incident and accident reports for both DPD and the Sheriff.
Go here when the P2C summary is not enough.
IOWA COURTS ONLINE
What happened to the case?
Search the public criminal docket and final court entries.
This is the key step for distinguishing arrest from conviction.
Search recent Dubuque arrests before paying a background-search website
Dubuque’s P2C system is a partnership involving the Dubuque Police Department, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Dubuque Fire Department and Dubuque 911 Emergency Communications Center.
Open Police to Citizen
Open Dubuque P2C
Choose the Recent Arrests option
Use this before trying a broad commercial people search.
Search the legal name
Try alternate spelling or a former surname when needed.
Match the arrest date and agency
Do not rely on a name alone.
Open the matching entry
Record the available incident/arrest information.
Check custody separately
A P2C arrest result does not prove the person remains in jail.
Search Iowa Courts Online
Use the court docket for the filed charge and final disposition.
P2C is not real time. The City states that information appears after calls are completed or when internal restrictions permit release.
Medical information, most juvenile information and other legally protected or sensitive information may be restricted.
What a Dubuque arrest search can and cannot tell you
| Record | Useful for | Does not prove | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2C recent arrest | Recent public arrest event and associated public information. | Conviction or present custody. | Check jail and Iowa Courts Online. |
| Call for service | Police response at a particular time/location. | That anyone was arrested. | Look for related report/arrest. |
| Incident report | Releasable police narrative and event details. | Final prosecution. | Search the court docket. |
| Wanted-person entry | Potential warrant/wanted status. | That status is still current today. | Confirm with law enforcement/court. |
| Jail record | Custody, visitation, calls and inmate services. | Conviction. | Open the court case. |
| Court docket | Filed charges, hearings and disposition. | Current physical jail location. | Use jail/DOC for custody. |
Confirm whether the arrested person is still in county custody
Dubuque County Jail / Law Enforcement Center
770 Iowa Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Jail Office: 563-589-4420
Jail Administrator: 563-589-4405
770 Iowa Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Jail Office: 563-589-4420
Jail Administrator: 563-589-4405
Record the person’s full legal name
Add DOB, arrest date and any P2C identifier available.
Check current jail information
Use the Sheriff’s jail section for current detention procedures.
Open Dubuque County Jail
Call the Jail Office when custody is unclear
Ask whether the person remains held, has been released or was transferred.
Recheck before sending money or mail
Custody may change after bond, court appearance, sentence or transfer.
Custody-verification script
I am trying to confirm the current custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], who may have been arrested around [date]. Can you confirm whether this person remains in Dubuque County Jail, has been released or has been transferred?
No arrest result? Check these Dubuque possibilities
The arrest just happened
P2C is not real time and booking information may still be processing.
The person was released quickly
Search the court docket even when no current custody remains.
The person received a citation instead
Not every criminal allegation creates a jail booking.
The arrest occurred outside Dubuque County
Search the actual county of booking.
The matter involves a juvenile
Most juvenile information is restricted.
The name differs
Try middle names, aliases, suffixes and former surnames.
You need the court case, not the arrest
Iowa Courts Online can remain useful long after a person leaves jail.
The case was expunged or otherwise restricted
Public access can disappear after lawful record relief.
Do not attach a Dubuque arrest to the wrong person
First and last names match
Middle name/suffix is consistent
DOB or age is consistent
Arrest date matches the event
Arresting agency makes sense
Incident/report number matches
Court case follows the same event
Final disposition was reviewed
A name match is not enough. Use multiple identifiers, especially before publishing an allegation or using a record for an important decision.
Get the actual Dubuque police or sheriff incident report
One useful local feature is that the Dubuque Police Records Division also functions as the Records Division for the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office.
Dubuque Police Records Division
855 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA
Phone: 563-589-4443
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
855 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA
Phone: 563-589-4443
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Check P2C first
Basic public report information may already be available.
Identify the exact report
Ask for the incident report or accident report associated with the event.
Provide the event details
Include full name, date, approximate time, location and report/case number.
Call before traveling
Confirm that the report is available and whether a fee applies.
Ask whether anything is redacted or restricted
Medical, juvenile, active-investigation and other protected information may not be publicly released.
Use the court record separately
The police report does not establish the final outcome.
Copy-ready records request
I am requesting the releasable incident/arrest report concerning [full legal name] for the event on [date] at [location]. Known identifiers include report number [number] and court case number [number]. Please advise whether the report is available electronically, what fee applies, and whether any portion has been withheld or redacted.
Do not pay for the wrong type of background search
Dubuque County local check
The Police Records Division currently provides a local Dubuque County criminal background check at no charge for ordinary local requests.
Coverage: Dubuque County only.
Iowa Courts Online
Free public court-docket searching across all 99 Iowa counties.
Coverage: Public Iowa court cases, not a fingerprint-based rap sheet.
Iowa DCI
Official Iowa criminal-history repository record check.
Current fee: $15 per last name.
FBI / national check
A separate federal fingerprint process is needed when an official nationwide personal Identity History Summary is required.
Not provided by: Dubuque Police Records.
Check Dubuque wanted information without treating it as a conviction
Open Police to Citizen
P2C includes wanted-person information.
Open P2C
Match the identity carefully
Do not act on a same-name result.
Search Iowa Courts Online
Find the underlying case and read the newest docket activity.
Look for later warrant action
A warrant may have been served, recalled or otherwise resolved.
Confirm current validity with law enforcement
P2C information is not guaranteed to be real time.
If the warrant may be yours, contact defense counsel
A lawyer can advise how to address the court without relying on online assumptions.
Dubuque Police non-emergency dispatch: 563-589-4415
Dubuque County Sheriff non-emergency dispatch: 563-589-4414
Dubuque County Sheriff non-emergency dispatch: 563-589-4414
Do not attempt to apprehend or confront a person based on wanted information.
Verify the Dubuque criminal case and disposition for free
Iowa Courts Online provides free public docket access. Ordinary searching does not require registration or a paid subscription.
Open Iowa Courts Online
Open free docket search
Choose public case search
Advanced Case Search is a separate paid subscription and is not required for an ordinary lookup.
Select Dubuque County
This reduces false same-name matches from other Iowa counties.
Search by case number whenever known
This is safer than name alone.
Otherwise search first and last name
Compare the result with the arrest date and charge.
Open the case docket
Review filings and proceedings chronologically.
Check each charge
One count may be dismissed while another results in conviction.
Find the latest disposition
Do not stop at the original complaint or arrest allegation.
Dubuque County Clerk of District Court
Dubuque County Courthouse
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: 563-589-4418
Dubuque County Courthouse
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: 563-589-4418
Get the court document when an online docket summary is not enough
Find the case number online
Save the exact number and defendant name.
Identify what proves the outcome
Usually this is a dismissal, judgment, sentencing order or another final filing.
Use a courthouse public-access terminal for public documents
Iowa Courts Online states that public case documents can be viewed at a public-access terminal in the courthouse where the case was filed.
Ask the Clerk for a copy when necessary
Give the exact case number and document name.
Say whether certification is required
A screen print may not satisfy an employer, immigration authority, licensing agency or another court.
What happens after a Dubuque arrest?
Police or Sheriff creates the incident/arrest record
The report documents the law-enforcement allegations and investigation.
Dubuque County Jail creates the custody record
Booking status is separate from the police narrative.
Initial court and bond decisions occur
The court addresses release and later proceedings based on the case.
Dubuque County Attorney reviews/prosecutes the matter
The County Attorney prosecutes violations of Iowa law in county criminal cases.
Iowa Courts Online tracks the docket
Public filings and proceedings are indexed by the Clerk.
Charges can change
Amendment, dismissal, plea negotiations and other court actions can alter the original arrest allegations.
The court enters final disposition
Check each charge for the actual result.
Correction or expungement may follow
An inaccurate record can be challenged, while qualifying cases can receive statutory record relief.
Verify the latest bond order before paying anyone
Confirm current jail custody
Do not rely on a stale arrest page.
Identify every active case or hold
A person can be held for more than one matter.
Check Iowa Courts Online
Use the latest court entries rather than an old booking amount.
Call the Dubuque County Jail
Confirm current bond, holds and the correct payment procedure before providing funds.
Keep receipts and case numbers
Save proof of every payment.
Bond-verification script
I am calling about [full legal name], DOB [date if known]. Please confirm every active charge or hold, the current bond or release condition, and the correct authorized payment procedure before I provide any money.
Avoid anyone demanding gift cards, cryptocurrency or payment through an unofficial text-message link.
Schedule Dubuque County Jail visits at least 24 hours ahead
Each inmate is currently permitted two free 25-minute on-site visits per week and one 15-minute off-site visit per day for a visitor-paid fee.
| Rule | Current Dubuque policy |
|---|---|
| Free on-site visits | Two 25-minute visits per inmate each week. |
| Off-site visits | One 15-minute visit per day; visitor pays applicable fee. |
| Visitors at one time | One visitor. |
| Minimum age | Visitors must be at least 18. |
| Identification | Picture ID with address required. |
| On-site days | Monday–Friday, excluding holidays. |
| On-site window | Between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; exact time varies by housing unit. |
| Advance booking | Schedule through JailATM at least 24 hours ahead. |
Confirm current custody
Do not schedule for a released or transferred inmate.
Register with JailATM
Use the provider currently identified by the Sheriff’s Office.
Choose the inmate and available time
Housing-unit schedules vary.
Schedule at least 24 hours ahead
Same-day availability should not be assumed.
For an on-site visit, go to 855 Central Avenue
This differs from the 770 Iowa Street jail address.
Leave phones and cameras out of the visitation area
The jail prohibits them there.
Visitation technical support: 1-888-646-9437
Do not send ordinary personal mail to 770 Iowa Street
Effective August 5, 2025, Dubuque County Jail moved ordinary personal inmate mail to a central JailATM scanning facility. Personal mail addressed directly to the Dubuque jail is returned to sender.
Personal inmate mail
Dubuque County Jail, IA
[Inmate Name / Inmate Number]
P.O. Box 16120
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Dubuque County Jail, IA
[Inmate Name / Inmate Number]
P.O. Box 16120
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Personal mail is opened, scanned and delivered digitally to the inmate. Parcel packages are not processed.
Legal mail is different
Legal mail from an approved attorney of record must be mailed directly to the jail, not to the Arkansas personal-mail scanning address.
Business and identity documents
Documents such as checks, money orders, birth certificates, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses, green cards and similar transactional/identity documents must be addressed directly to the jail’s Business Office under the current jail rules.
Deposit money through Access Corrections or the jail kiosk
Internet
Use Access Corrections, the provider identified by Dubuque County Jail.
Jail lobby
Use the kiosk at 770 Iowa Street. Cash and credit-card deposits are accepted through the jail’s process.
Phone
Deposit by calling 866-345-1884.
Cash, checks and money orders mailed to the jail are not placed in an inmate account without prior jail-administration approval.
When an inmate is released, the remaining account balance is returned on a debit card after money owed to the jail is deducted.
Set up the Dubuque jail phone account before expecting a call
Create an Inmate Calling Solutions account
Call 1-888-506-8407.
Do not call the jail asking staff to tell the inmate the account is ready
Jail staff state that they do not pass along those messages.
Use the inmate voice-message service when needed
Call 563-258-4600.
Have the ICS account PIN and inmate ID
Both are required for the voice-message service.
The current published voice-message charge is $0.50 per message.
Ordinary inmate calls are not a safe place to discuss confidential defense strategy. Use approved attorney-client communication procedures for legal advice.
Contact the Dubuque State Public Defender after appointment
Iowa State Public Defender — Dubuque Office
590 Iowa Street, Suite 1
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: 563-582-0750
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
590 Iowa Street, Suite 1
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: 563-582-0750
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Ask the court about appointed counsel
Eligibility is determined through the court process.
Have the defendant name and case number ready
Find the case number through Iowa Courts Online if necessary.
Provide required financial information
Indigent-defense eligibility depends on the applicable Iowa procedure.
Call the Dubuque Public Defender office after appointment
Use the contact above for assigned-case questions.
Contact Dubuque County victim coordinators for prosecution-stage help
Dubuque County Attorney
Fourth Floor, Dubuque County Courthouse
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Main: 563-589-4470
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fourth Floor, Dubuque County Courthouse
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Main: 563-589-4470
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Victim Witness Coordinator
Marissa Ruiz: 563-589-1306.
Victim Witness Coordinator
Carissa Schneider: 563-589-7811.
IowaVINE
Automated custody notifications for participating Iowa jail and prison records.
A victim advocate or County Attorney does not represent the accused. Defense questions belong with the Public Defender or private criminal-defense counsel.
Use Iowa DCI when Dubuque-only records are not enough
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation — Criminal History Checks
Oran Pape State Office Building
215 E. 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-725-6066
Email: dcirecordchecks@dps.state.ia.us
Oran Pape State Office Building
215 E. 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-725-6066
Email: dcirecordchecks@dps.state.ia.us
Current DCI fee: $15 per last name. Each last name requires a separate request and payment.
| Item | Current requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum identity | First name, last name and exact DOB. |
| Helpful identifiers | Middle name, gender and SSN can help distinguish common names but are not all mandatory. |
| Fee | $15 per last name. |
| Request methods | Online, mail, fax, email or in person. |
| Phone request | Not accepted. |
| Online processing | Current guidance: approximately 1–3 days depending on volume/staffing. |
| General processing | DCI FAQ says results are generally processed within approximately 2–5 business days after receipt. |
What happens without a signed release?
Iowa DCI states that without a signed release authorization from the subject, it cannot release certain information including completed deferred judgments and arrests more than 18 months old without a final disposition.
Most juvenile records are confidential and are not released through the ordinary Iowa DCI criminal-history result.
Fix an inaccurate Dubuque or Iowa criminal-history record
Identify which record is wrong
Compare P2C, the police report, Iowa Courts Online and DCI.
Get the court document proving the correct result
A dismissal, judgment or amended order can be critical.
Correct the originating source first
Police information belongs with the Police/Sheriff Records Division; court information belongs with the Clerk.
Contact DCI when the statewide criminal history remains inaccurate
DCI asks users disputing accuracy to contact the Criminal History unit and explain the disputed entry.
Be prepared to provide fingerprints
DCI states that fingerprints may be requested to verify identity.
Recheck after the correction is processed
Separate databases do not always update simultaneously.
Correction is not expungement. Correction fixes inaccurate information. Expungement restricts an accurate record when Iowa law permits it.
Use Iowa DOC only after county-jail custody changes to state custody
Use Iowa DOC for
- People incarcerated in Iowa state correctional facilities.
- State facility assignment.
- DOC offender information.
- State-prison family services.
Do not use Iowa DOC alone for
- A new Dubuque arrest.
- Current Dubuque County Jail custody.
- Dubuque police reports.
- The final criminal court judgment.
Iowa DOC states that after an offender’s transport is completed, a new facility assignment is generally reflected online within about 24 hours.
Expunge an eligible Dubuque criminal record
Iowa does not offer one universal expungement rule for every arrest or conviction. The procedure depends on how the case ended and what offense was involved.
Route 1: all charges dismissed or acquitted — Iowa Code §901C.2
All charges in the criminal case were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Court costs, fees and financial obligations are paid
At least 180 days have passed after dismissal/acquittal
Court may waive 180 days for good cause in qualifying circumstances
Case was not dismissed because of not guilty by reason of insanity
Defendant was not found incompetent to stand trial in the case
The 180-day requirement can be waived for good cause, including circumstances such as identity theft or mistaken identity. Parties must have an opportunity to object based on whether statutory requirements have been established.
Section 901C.2 does not apply to a dismissal arising from a deferred judgment under Iowa Code §907.9. Deferred judgments follow a separate statutory route.
Route 2: certain misdemeanor convictions — Iowa Code §901C.3
| Requirement | Current Iowa rule |
|---|---|
| Time | More than 8 years since conviction. |
| Pending cases | No pending criminal charges. |
| Deferred judgments | Person has not previously been granted two deferred judgments. |
| Money owed | Court costs, fees, fines, restitution and other court-ordered obligations must be paid. |
| Frequency | Generally one §901C.3 misdemeanor-conviction expungement in a person’s lifetime. |
| Multiple charges | One application can include multiple eligible misdemeanors arising from the same transaction or occurrence. |
Many misdemeanor categories are specifically excluded from §901C.3. Do not assume an offense qualifies merely because more than eight years have passed.
Practical Dubuque expungement workflow
Search every Dubuque criminal case first
Record the exact case number and disposition.
Search Iowa Courts Online
Determine which Iowa statute applies
Dismissal/acquittal and misdemeanor-conviction expungements have different requirements.
Confirm financial obligations are satisfied
The relevant statutes require payment of specified court financial obligations.
Check the waiting period
§901C.2 generally uses 180 days; §901C.3 uses more than eight years from conviction.
Check statutory exclusions
This is especially important for a misdemeanor conviction.
Use the current Iowa Judicial Branch court forms
Do not copy an old petition from a third-party site.
Open current Iowa court forms
File in the proper Iowa District Court case
For a misdemeanor conviction under §901C.3, the application is filed in the county where the conviction occurred.
Keep the signed expungement order
Store a certified copy permanently for future record disputes.
Recheck Iowa Courts Online
Confirm that public access changed as ordered.
Recheck DCI when applicable
For an expunged misdemeanor conviction under §901C.3, Iowa law directs removal from DPS criminal-history data files after notice from the Clerk when such a record was maintained there.
Deferred judgment is different. Iowa Code Chapter 907 contains the separate rules governing discharge and expungement of a completed deferred judgment. Do not file a §901C.2 dismissal request for a deferred-judgment dismissal.
Police, jail, court and legal contacts
Dubuque Police Department
770 Iowa Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque, IA 52001
Non-emergency dispatch: 563-589-4415
Police / Sheriff Records Division
855 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA
Dubuque, IA
Dubuque County Sheriff
770 Iowa Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque County Jail
770 Iowa Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque, IA 52001
Clerk of District Court
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque County Attorney
720 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque, IA 52001
Public Defender
590 Iowa Street, Suite 1
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque, IA 52001
Victim Witness — Marissa Ruiz
Victim Witness — Carissa Schneider
Iowa DCI Criminal History
Dubuque Law Enforcement Center & Jail map
Dubuque County Courthouse map
Dubuque Public Defender map
Dubuque arrest research without bouncing between generic directories
Recent arrest
P2C workflow, timing limitation, identity matching and current-custody verification.
Police report
Shared Dubuque Police/Sheriff Records Division, exact address, hours and request script.
Criminal outcome
Free Iowa Courts Online workflow and Clerk contact for documents.
Jail family services
Current visit limits, new personal-mail address, money provider and phone procedures.
Statewide history
DCI $15 fee, release-authorization rules, processing options and record correction.
Record relief
Dismissal/acquittal, misdemeanor-conviction and deferred-judgment routes kept separate.
Dubuque arrest and criminal-record questions answered
How do I search Dubuque arrest records?
Use Dubuque Police to Citizen for recent arrests, reports and wanted-person information, verify current custody with Dubuque County Jail, then search Iowa Courts Online for the criminal case and disposition.
Where can I see recent Dubuque arrests?
The city’s P2C system provides recent-arrest information from participating local public-safety agencies.
Is P2C real time?
No. The City says information is released after calls are completed or when internal restrictions allow.
Where do I get a Dubuque police report?
Contact the Records Division at 855 Central Avenue, 563-589-4443. It handles records for both Dubuque Police and the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office.
How do I search the criminal court case?
Use Iowa Courts Online. Public docket searching is free and does not require registration or subscription.
How do I check a Dubuque warrant?
Use P2C wanted-person information and the related Iowa Courts Online case, then confirm current status with police, sheriff or court because online information may not be real time.
Can I get a free Dubuque County background check?
The local Police Records Division currently states that an ordinary Dubuque County-only criminal background check is available at no charge. Statewide DCI checks are different and carry a fee.
How much does an Iowa DCI check cost?
The current fee is $15 per last name, with a separate request/payment required for each last name.
Can a dismissed Dubuque case be expunged?
When all charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal, Iowa Code §901C.2 can permit expungement after statutory conditions are met, including payment of court financial obligations and generally a 180-day waiting period.
Can a Dubuque misdemeanor conviction be expunged?
Some misdemeanors can qualify under §901C.3 after more than eight years, no pending charges, satisfaction of financial obligations and other requirements. Numerous misdemeanor categories are excluded.
