Arrest records in Los Alamos County, New Mexico are classified as public records pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 to 14-2-12. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access public records maintained by governmental bodies within the state. The statute specifically designates records of arrest as public information, reflecting the legislature's commitment to governmental transparency and accountability.
Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or stated purpose for the request. The Los Alamos County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established protocols. Records custodians are required by law to respond to requests within three business days, though complex requests may require additional time not to exceed fifteen calendar days from receipt of the request.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with IPRA exemptions, particularly information that might compromise ongoing investigations or violate protected privacy interests as outlined in NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1(A)(4).
Los Alamos County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The First Judicial District Court, which serves Los Alamos County, provides public access to court records through its electronic case management system. This system allows for remote access to arrest-related court documents filed with the district court.
The Los Alamos County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of arrest records that is partially accessible to the public through their official website. This database is updated regularly to reflect recent arrests and booking information. Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest information, as certain details may be restricted from public view in accordance with NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1.
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety also maintains a statewide repository of arrest records through its Criminal History Information Center. This database contains fingerprint-based arrest records submitted by law enforcement agencies throughout the state, including those from Los Alamos County.
Online access to these records is subject to system availability and may require registration or payment of statutory fees for certain detailed reports or certified copies.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Los Alamos County arrest records:
Los Alamos County Sheriff's Office Records Division
2500 Trinity Drive, Suite A
Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 662-8028
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Requestors may submit an IPRA request in person, by mail, or via email. The request must include sufficient information to identify the specific record sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest if known.
First Judicial District Court - Los Alamos Division
2500 Trinity Drive, Suite D
Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 662-2727
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Los Alamos County District Court clerk's office. The court maintains records of criminal proceedings that follow arrests within the county jurisdiction.
New Mexico Department of Public Safety
4491 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 827-9181
The Department provides statewide criminal history information, including arrest records, through its Law Enforcement Records Bureau. Requests require submission of a completed Record Check Request Form and payment of the statutory fee.
Online Case Lookup
The New Mexico Judiciary maintains a public access portal called "Secured Odyssey Public Access" (SOPA) where case information, including arrest-related court cases, can be searched by name or case number.
Pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 29-10-7, requestors seeking arrest records for employment or licensing purposes must follow specific procedures and may be subject to additional requirements.
Los Alamos County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 10, Chapter 29, Part 7. These records typically include:
Biographical Information
Arrest Details
Case Processing Information
These records are maintained in accordance with the New Mexico Public Records Act and the Records Retention and Disposition Schedules established by the State Commission of Public Records. Pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 14-3-15.1, these records must be maintained for a minimum period as specified in the applicable retention schedule, typically not less than five years for misdemeanor arrests and not less than ten years for felony arrests.
The expungement of arrest records in Los Alamos County is governed by the Criminal Record Expungement Act, NMSA 1978, §§ 29-3A-1 to 29-3A-9. This statute provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest information from public access under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires:
Upon granting of an expungement order, all public agencies maintaining records of the arrest are required to remove such information from publicly accessible databases and files. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety is required to update the state central repository accordingly.
It should be noted that pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 29-3A-7, certain law enforcement and judicial entities retain limited access to expunged records for specific statutory purposes. Additionally, expungement in New Mexico does not authorize the petitioner to state that the arrest did not occur in response to direct questions in applications for licensure or employment in certain sensitive positions as enumerated in the statute.