>Otero County Arrest Records Online

Otero County, Colorado Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Otero County, Colorado?

Arrest records are public documents in Otero County, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA), C.R.S. § 24-72-301 et seq. This legislation establishes that criminal justice records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public with certain exceptions. The Otero County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duties under Colorado law. Public access to these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations and upholding the public's right to information regarding criminal justice proceedings within the county.

According to Colorado Revised Statute § 24-72-305.5, records of official actions and criminal justice records are generally available for public inspection. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, privacy rights of victims, or other sensitive information as determined by statute. The custodian of records at the Otero County Sheriff's Office is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable state laws regarding the dissemination of arrest records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Otero County?

Otero County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides electronic access to court records through their online docket search system, which includes information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings in Otero County. Additionally, the Otero County Sheriff's Office maintains certain arrest information on their departmental website, though the comprehensiveness of online records may vary depending on the age of the records and technological implementation schedules.

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-303, the custodian of criminal justice records may establish reasonable fees for providing access to these records online. Users accessing Otero County arrest records through official online portals may be required to pay nominal fees for searches or document retrieval. The online availability of these records is subject to periodic system maintenance and updates, which may temporarily affect accessibility.

How to Look Up Otero County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Otero County arrest records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following options are provided in accordance with Colorado public records laws:

Visit the Otero County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a records request. The office is located at 220 E 2nd St., La Junta, CO 81050. Records requests can be processed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The non-emergency phone number is (719) 384-5941.
Submit a request to the Otero County Detention Center for inmate-related records. The detention center is located at 13 West 3rd Street, La Junta, CO 81050, and can be reached at (719) 383-3000.
Access the Colorado Judicial Branch's online docket search to review court cases related to arrests in Otero County. This system provides information on criminal cases filed with the court.
Contact the Otero County Combined Court at 13 West 3rd Street, Room 207, La Junta, CO 81050. The court clerk's office can be reached at (719) 384-4951 for assistance with locating court records related to arrests.
Submit a written request to the Otero County Clerk & Recorder's Office at 13 West 3rd Street, Room 210, La Junta, CO 81050, or call (719) 383-3020 for guidance on obtaining certain public records.

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-306, the custodian of records may require proper identification from any person requesting access to arrest records. Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and specific information about the records being sought to facilitate the search process.

Contents of an Otero County Arrest Record

Otero County arrest records typically contain standardized information as required by Colorado law and departmental policies. These records are maintained in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-72-303 and include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, and hair color.
Photographic documentation, commonly referred to as a "mugshot," taken during the booking process at the Otero County Detention Center.
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers collected during processing.
Detailed information regarding the arrest incident, including the date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred.
The name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Enumeration of all criminal charges filed against the individual, including the specific Colorado Revised Statute citations for each alleged violation.
Case numbers assigned by the arresting agency and the court system for tracking purposes.
Information regarding bail or bond determinations, including the amount set and conditions of release if applicable.
Custody status information, indicating whether the individual remains in detention or has been released pending court proceedings.
Court appearance dates and locations for arraignments, preliminary hearings, and other scheduled proceedings.

The Otero County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and departmental policies. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records as required by state law to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Otero County

Under Colorado law, individuals may petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by C.R.S. § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709, which outlines eligibility criteria and procedural requirements. Otero County residents seeking expungement must file petitions with the Otero County Combined Court.

Eligibility for expungement in Otero County generally includes the following scenarios:

Cases where charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted at trial.
Arrests that did not result in charges being filed within the statutory timeframe.
Completed deferred judgments where all conditions were satisfied.
Certain conviction records after specified waiting periods, depending on the offense classification.

The expungement process requires the petitioner to submit appropriate forms to the court, pay filing fees (unless waived due to indigency), and potentially attend a hearing before a judge. If granted, an expungement order directs all custodians of records, including the Otero County Sheriff's Office, to seal the specified records from public view.

It should be noted that pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-703, certain sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, the courts, and other authorized entities for specific purposes. Additionally, certain serious offenses, including violent crimes and sexual offenses, may be ineligible for expungement under Colorado law.

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