Trinidad Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Trinidad, Colorado?
Arrest records are public documents in Trinidad, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) and the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). These legislative frameworks establish the legal basis for public access to criminal justice records maintained by law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction. The CCJRA, codified under C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq., specifically governs the release of criminal justice records, while CORA provides broader access to government records.
The Trinidad Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. Members of the public may request access to these records, subject to certain statutory limitations and exemptions that protect ongoing investigations, privacy interests, and public safety. The custodian of records at the Trinidad Police Department processes requests in accordance with applicable state laws and municipal regulations.
Records that contain information related to arrests, including booking photos, arrest reports, and charging documents, are generally considered public records unless specifically exempted by statute. The City of Trinidad adheres to these transparency requirements while balancing privacy considerations as mandated by state law.
How to Look Up Trinidad Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Trinidad provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official methods:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests for arrest records directly at the Trinidad Police Department located at 160 E. First Street, Trinidad, CO 81082. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Online Requests: The Trinidad Police Department accepts requests for police reports and records through their official website. Requestors must complete the designated form and may be required to provide identification to verify their eligibility to receive certain records.
Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Records Custodian at the Trinidad Police Department. All requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Municipal Court Records: Arrest records that have resulted in municipal court proceedings may be accessed through the Trinidad Municipal Court, which is in session the third Monday of each month starting at 10:00 AM at 135 N. Animas Street, Trinidad, CO 81082.
Las Animas County Court: For arrests leading to county-level proceedings, records may be accessed through the Las Animas County Court located at 200 E. First Street, Room 304, Trinidad, CO 81082. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305, a reasonable fee may be charged for the research and retrieval of records. The current fee structure established by the City of Trinidad is available upon request from the Records Division.
Contents of a Trinidad Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Trinidad Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and subsequent processing. Standard components of an arrest record include:
Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, and any known aliases or identifiers.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including both municipal code violations under the Trinidad Municipal Code and state law violations.
Probable Cause Statement: A summary of the facts and circumstances that provided the legal basis for the arrest, as documented by law enforcement personnel.
Booking Information: Processing details including booking number, fingerprint classification, and photographic identification (mugshot).
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release conditions, bail or bond amounts, and court appearance dates.
Property Inventory: Documentation of personal property taken into custody at the time of arrest.
Medical Screening: Basic health assessment information collected during the booking process, subject to privacy protections under HIPAA.
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to release in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-305.5, which protects specific categories of sensitive information including, but not limited to, the identities of sexual assault victims, confidential informants, and juveniles.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Trinidad
The State of Colorado provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records. The process for expungement in Trinidad follows Colorado state law and is administered through the judicial system.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-701 et seq., certain arrest records may be eligible for sealing under the following circumstances:
- Cases resulting in no charges being filed after the statute of limitations has expired
- Cases dismissed by the court or prosecutor
- Cases resulting in acquittal at trial
- Arrests for certain offenses after specified waiting periods have elapsed
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Las Animas County District Court. Petitioners must provide:
- Complete identification information
- Case numbers and arrest dates
- Certified copies of dispositions
- Fingerprint verification
- Payment of applicable filing fees
The District Attorney's Office receives notification of all petitions and may object within specified timeframes. If a petition is granted, the court issues an order directing all custodians of records to seal the specified records, effectively removing them from public access.
The Trinidad Police Department, as a custodian of arrest records, complies with court-ordered expungements by restricting access to sealed records in accordance with judicial directives. Sealed records remain available only to the person who is the subject of the record and to criminal justice agencies under limited circumstances as specified by statute.
Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that the process is governed by strict statutory requirements and may benefit from legal consultation. The Las Animas County District Court provides standardized forms for expungement petitions at:
Las Animas County District Court
200 E. First Street, Room 304
Trinidad, CO 81082
(719) 846-3316
Colorado Judicial Branch
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