Arrest records in Paonia, Colorado are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect and copy most records maintained by state and local government entities, including law enforcement agencies. The Town of Paonia adheres to these transparency requirements while balancing privacy considerations as outlined in the Town's Public Records Policy.
Criminal justice records, including arrest data, are specifically governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. Under this statute, basic arrest information is categorized as "records of official action" which must be made available for public inspection. However, certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or victim information as determined by the records custodian.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should note that while the information is legally accessible, specific procedures must be followed and nominal fees may apply in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-306.
The Town of Paonia provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Paonia Police Department, located at 214 Grand Avenue, Paonia, CO 81428. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted to the Records Custodian at the Paonia Police Department. All requests must specify the records sought with reasonable particularity as required by C.R.S. § 24-72-303.
Online Portal Access: The Town of Paonia maintains an electronic records request system through which citizens may submit CORA requests for arrest information.
Delta County Resources: Supplementary arrest information may be available through the Delta County Court for cases that have proceeded to prosecution.
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information such as the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record retrieval. Standard processing times are three working days, with possible extension to seven working days for voluminous or complex requests, in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-203(3)(b).
Official arrest records maintained by the Paonia Police Department typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Colorado state law and departmental policy:
It should be noted that pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including victim identities in sexual assault cases, information related to confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations. Additionally, arrest records related to sealed or expunged cases will not be available for public inspection in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-702.
Colorado law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records maintained by the Paonia Police Department and other criminal justice agencies. The legal framework for record sealing is primarily established in C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through 709.
Eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing of arrest records generally include:
The expungement process typically requires:
Individuals should be aware that certain categories of offenses, particularly those involving violence, sexual misconduct, or driving under the influence, may be subject to more restrictive eligibility requirements or extended waiting periods. Professional legal consultation is advisable for persons seeking expungement of arrest records in Paonia.
Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is removed from public access, though limited retention may be maintained for law enforcement purposes only, with strict access controls as mandated by C.R.S. § 24-72-703(4).
Paonia Police Department
214 Grand Avenue
Paonia, CO 81428
Phone: (970) 527-4822
Official Website
Delta County Combined Courts
501 Palmer Street
Delta, CO 81416
Phone: (970) 874-6280
Official Website