>Sandoval County Arrest Records Online

Sandoval County, New Mexico Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Sandoval County, New Mexico?

Arrest records are public documents in Sandoval 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 records created, maintained, or held by governmental agencies during the execution of their official functions are accessible to the public. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest documentation, as public information subject to certain exemptions outlined in § 14-2-1(A)(4).

The Sandoval County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center maintain these records as part of their statutory obligations. Members of the public may request access to these documents through established procedures that comply with state transparency requirements. The public accessibility of these records serves the legislative intent of promoting governmental accountability and informed civic participation.

Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving:

Active criminal investigations
Juvenile records protected under the Children's Code
Records containing personally identifiable information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
Information specifically protected by other state or federal statutes

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Sandoval County?

Sandoval County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official government portals. The Sandoval County Detention Center maintains an online inmate search database that is updated daily. This resource allows members of the public to verify current incarcerations and basic arrest information.

For more comprehensive arrest record information, the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup system provides electronic access to court records associated with arrests in Sandoval County. The Thirteenth Judicial District Court, which serves Sandoval County, maintains records of criminal proceedings that may contain arrest information.

Digital accessibility is subject to the following statutory limitations:

Records may be redacted to protect confidential information pursuant to § 14-2-1(A)
Certain records may require in-person inspection rather than online access
Technical limitations may affect the comprehensiveness of online records
Historical records may not be fully digitized

How to Look Up Sandoval County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Sandoval County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:

Submit a formal records request through the Sandoval County Public Records Request portal. Pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 14-2-8, the county must respond to requests within three business days.
Visit the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest record information: Sandoval County Sheriff's Office 1500 Idalia Road, Building C Bernalillo, NM 87004 (505) 867-7526 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contact the Sandoval County Detention Center for current inmate information: Sandoval County Detention Center 1100 Montoya Road Bernalillo, NM 87004 (505) 867-9322 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the New Mexico Department of Public Safety for statewide criminal history information: New Mexico Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Records Bureau 4491 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505) 827-9181 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Review court records through the Thirteenth Judicial District Court: Thirteenth Judicial District Court - Sandoval County 1500 Idalia Road, Building A Bernalillo, NM 87004 (505) 867-2376 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records pursuant to § 14-2-9(B), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for document reproduction.

Contents of a Sandoval County Arrest Record

Sandoval County arrest records typically contain standardized information as required by New Mexico state law and departmental policies. These official documents generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest with corresponding New Mexico Criminal Code citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Sandoval County Sheriff's Office, Rio Rancho Police Department)
Booking information including fingerprints and photograph
Case or incident number for administrative tracking
Custody status and bail determination information
Initial court appearance scheduling information

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the arresting agency's protocols and the nature of the alleged offense. Records maintained by the Sandoval County Detention Center will include additional booking and custody information, while court records available through the Thirteenth Judicial District will contain subsequent case processing details.

Pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 29-10-7, arrest records must be maintained with accuracy and completeness. Individuals have the right to review their own records for accuracy and may petition for correction of erroneous information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Sandoval County

New Mexico law provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The Criminal Record Expungement Act, NMSA 1978, §§ 29-3A-1 to 29-3A-9, establishes the legal framework for this process in Sandoval County.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
Convictions for which the person has completed all terms of the sentence
Specified waiting periods based on offense classification
No pending criminal charges at the time of petition

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a petition with the Thirteenth Judicial District Court in Sandoval County
Provide notice to the prosecuting agency and law enforcement entities
Attend a judicial hearing if the petition is contested
Obtain a court order directing all relevant agencies to expunge records

Upon successful expungement, pursuant to § 29-3A-7, the arrest record is removed from public access, and the individual may legally state that the arrest or conviction did not occur. However, certain government agencies retain limited access to expunged records for specific statutory purposes.

Legal assistance is advisable for navigating the expungement process. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety can provide information regarding state-level criminal history records that may require expungement beyond county records.

Search Arrest Records in Sandoval County

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Bernalillo