La Junta Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in La Junta, Colorado?
Arrest records are public documents in La Junta, Colorado, pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings. The statute specifically designates criminal justice records as public documents, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and matters of public safety. The City of La Junta and Otero County maintain these records in accordance with state regulations to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations while balancing privacy considerations as prescribed by statute.
How to Look Up La Junta Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in La Junta have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act governs the dissemination of these records. Interested parties may utilize the following methods to access arrest documentation:
Submit a records request in person at the Otero County Sheriff's Office, located at 220 E 2nd St., La Junta, CO 81050. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Non-emergency phone: (719) 384-5941.
File a formal request with the La Junta Police Department at 601 Colorado Ave., La Junta, CO 81050. The records division operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone: (719) 384-2525.
Access court records related to arrests through the Otero County Combined Courts at 13 West Third St., Room 207, La Junta, CO 81050. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (719) 384-4951.
Submit an online request through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) website for statewide criminal history information. The CBI maintains a centralized repository of arrest data from all jurisdictions within Colorado.
Utilize public access terminals available at the La Junta Public Library, 222 Walnut St., La Junta, CO 81050. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Friday and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (719) 384-4612.
Requestors should note that pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-305, a nominal fee may be charged for search and retrieval services. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites.
Contents of a La Junta Arrest Record
Official arrest records maintained by La Junta law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as mandated by Colorado state law. These records typically include the following components:
Subject identification information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any distinguishing physical characteristics.
Arrest details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency case number; and statutory authority for the arrest.
Criminal charges: Specific violations of the La Junta Municipal Code or Colorado Revised Statutes, including citation numbers and charge classifications (felony, misdemeanor, or petty offense).
Booking information: Fingerprints, booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), property inventory, and detention facility assignment.
Procedural documentation: Miranda rights acknowledgment, medical screening results, bail or bond information, and court appearance dates.
Disposition information: Case outcome if available, including dismissal, conviction, sentencing, or diversion program participation.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-304, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations or public safety.
Expungement of Arrest Records in La Junta
The process of expungement (also referred to as "sealing" in Colorado law) provides a legal mechanism for removing arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-72-701 through § 24-72-709 govern the expungement process in La Junta and throughout the state.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in La Junta include:
- Cases resulting in complete dismissal of charges
- Arrests that did not lead to formal charges within the statutory filing period
- Cases resulting in acquittal at trial
- Completed deferred judgments with successful fulfillment of all conditions
- Certain drug offenses after specified waiting periods
- Petty offenses and misdemeanors after statutory waiting periods (typically 3-5 years)
- Select non-violent felony convictions after a 7-10 year waiting period
The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition to Seal Criminal Justice Records with the Otero County Combined Courts
- Pay the required filing fee (currently $65 for most cases)
- Provide fingerprints and a current criminal history report from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
- Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court
- Serve copies of the petition on all agencies holding records
If granted, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal the specified records, removing them from public access. However, pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-72-703, certain government agencies, including law enforcement and the courts, may still access sealed records for specific purposes. Additionally, certain professions requiring licensure may have access to sealed records during background investigations.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is complex and subject to judicial discretion. The Otero County Combined Courts provides standardized forms for petitioners, available at the clerk's office or through the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
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