>Mora County Arrest Records Online

Mora County, New Mexico Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Mora County, New Mexico?

Arrest records are public documents in Mora County, New Mexico, pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 to 14-2-12. This legislation establishes that all records maintained by public bodies, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county, are subject to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The New Mexico Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records as essential to governmental transparency and accountability.

The Mora County Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies are required by law to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request. While certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1(A)(4), the fundamental arrest information remains accessible to members of the public.

Individuals seeking arrest records must submit their requests to the appropriate custodian of records, typically the law enforcement agency that made the arrest or the Mora County Clerk's Office. Requests may be made in person, by mail, or through designated electronic channels in accordance with the agency's established procedures.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Mora County?

Digital access to Mora County arrest records is available through several authorized platforms. The New Mexico Courts Case Lookup system provides online access to court case information, including cases stemming from arrests in Mora County. This system is maintained by the New Mexico Judicial Branch and allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or other identifying information.

The Fourth Judicial District Court, which serves Mora County, maintains electronic records of court proceedings related to arrests. Their online portal provides access to docket information, hearing schedules, and case status updates. Additionally, the Mora County District Court maintains specific records pertaining to cases within its jurisdiction.

It should be noted that while basic arrest information may be available online, comprehensive arrest records including detailed reports and evidence may require formal requests through the appropriate agencies. Online access is subject to system limitations and periodic maintenance, and certain records may be temporarily unavailable during system updates.

How to Look Up Mora County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Mora County arrest records have multiple methods available for obtaining this information:

In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:

Mora County Sheriff's Office
1 Courthouse Drive
Mora, NM 87732
(575) 387-2222
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mora County Clerk's Office
1 Courthouse Drive, Room 110
Mora, NM 87732
(575) 387-2248
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Written requests may be submitted via certified mail to either of the above addresses, with "Records Request" clearly indicated on the envelope. Pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 14-2-8, agencies must respond to such requests within three business days.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the New Mexico State Police Records Division for arrests made by state law enforcement agencies operating within Mora County.
Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Fourth Judicial District Court docket system, which maintains records of all court proceedings in Mora County.

All requests must include sufficient identifying information, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any other relevant details that may assist in locating the correct records. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with NMSA 1978, § 14-2-9, and may vary based on the volume of records requested and the format in which they are provided.

Contents of a Mora County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Mora County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to New Mexico Administrative Code 1.13.10, these records must include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Initial appearance information and bail determination
Case disposition if available

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety maintains standardized arrest record formats that are utilized by all law enforcement agencies within the state, including those in Mora County. These records are subject to retention schedules established by the New Mexico Commission of Public Records, which typically require permanent retention of felony arrest records and retention of misdemeanor arrest records for a minimum of 10 years.

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1(A), including social security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to victims of certain crimes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Mora County

The expungement process in Mora County is governed by the Criminal Record Expungement Act, NMSA 1978, §§ 29-3A-1 to 29-3A-9, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Individuals may petition for expungement if:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The conviction was dismissed, discharged, or pardoned
The individual has completed all terms of their sentence, including probation or parole
The statutory waiting period has elapsed (typically 1-10 years depending on offense severity)

The petition for expungement must be filed with the Mora County District Court located at:

Mora County District Court
1 Courthouse Drive
Mora, NM 87732
(575) 387-2222

The petition must include certified copies of the arrest record, case disposition, and evidence of rehabilitation. The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that justice will be served by expungement. The District Attorney's Office and arresting agency have the right to contest the petition.

If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies, including the Mora County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico Department of Public Safety, and New Mexico Corrections Department, to remove the records from public access. However, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings.