Sandoval County, New Mexico Arrest Records

Sandoval County arrest records are official documents that provide pertinent information about individuals apprehended by law enforcement agencies within the county. The arresting agency typically creates an arrest record after an individual is taken into custody and booked. Local law enforcement agencies, such as the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and municipal police departments, are responsible for conducting most arrests within the county and creating related arrest records.

Sandoval County arrest records are subject to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and are instrumental in generating certain government records and reports. For instance, the local crime statistics detailed in the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office Annual Reports are derived in part from arrest records. Additionally, criminal history records compiled by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) may also include Sandoval County arrest records. However, a separate law, the New Mexico Arrest Record Information Act, governs the release of these criminal records.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Sandoval, New Mexico?

Yes. Sandoval County arrest records are considered public per the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) §14-2-1.2. According to the statute, law enforcement records, including arrest records, are public unless a federal or state law provides otherwise. Furthermore, the act does not impose any residency requirement for accessing public arrest records. Thus, record seekers must not be residents of Sandoval County to access local public arrest records. Additionally, presenting an ID is not required to access public Sandoval County arrest records.

What Do Public Sandoval County Arrest Records Contain?

Typical information found in public Sandoval County arrest records includes, but is not limited to:

• The arrestee’s full name and mugshot
• Personal information, such as age, date of birth, birthplace, marital status, and citizenship
• Physical description, including race, height, weight, hair color, and eye color
• Arrest details, such as the date, time, and location of arrest.
• Arresting agency and officer’s name
• Offense details
• Booking information.

It is worth noting that certain arrest records are exempt from public access under different state and federal laws. Some examples of these records and their applicable law include:

• Juvenile arrest records pursuant to NMSA §32A-2-32.
• Arrest records containing details about confidential sources, information, methods, or individuals who were accused but not charged with a crime per NMSA §29-10-4.
• Arrest record expunged under the New Mexico Criminal Records Expungement Act.
• Arrest records linked to an ongoing investigation per NMSA §14-2-1.

Sandoval County, New Mexico Arrest Search

Individuals may find Sandoval County arrest records by conducting statewide background checks through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) Law Enforcement Records Bureau (LERB). The LERB is the state’s central repository for criminal history records. Generally, these criminal history records are comprised of arrest records for felonies, misdemeanors (specifically those punishable by six months or more imprisonment), and DWI offenses, which criminal justice entities across New Mexico, including Sandoval County, have reported to the LERB.

Record holders, in person, through their counsel, or authorized agents, are permitted under the New Mexico Arrest Record Information Act (NMSA §29-10-6) to inspect arrest record information concerning themselves. They may conduct background checks through the LERB to request and obtain their arrest information by completing, notarizing, and submitting an Authorization for Release of Information form (also available in Spanish). Each request is subject to a $15.00 processing fee, payable by money order or cashier’s check made out to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. The agency typically processes requests within 7 to 15 working days after receipt. However, the agency’s current workload and request volume may affect their processing timeframe. Interested persons may also conduct electronic or manual fingerprint-based background checks through the LERB.

In cases where individuals were arrested in Sandoval County but booked at a state prison facility or held in federal custody, record seekers may access information about the arrest by reviewing relevant inmate records. For instance, the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) Offender Search portal provides information on state inmates, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator portal covers federal inmates.

Sandoval County Inmate Locator

The Sandoval County Inmate Lookup portal is a free resource provided by the Sandoval County Detention Center (SCDC). It provides a list of current inmates in the facility. Interested persons may search the portal by name, intake date range, offender ID, or permanent ID. Typical information about county inmates that is accessible through the portal includes:

• The inmate’s full name
• Mugshot
• Intake date
• Release date
• Status
• Gender
• Offender ID
• Permanent ID
• Criminal offense details, such as the offense(s) description, arrest code, statute, charge description, status, case number, control number, bond type, and bond amount.
• The inmate's physical description and personal information, including date of birth, age, marital status, race, birthplace, height, weight, citizenship, hair color, facial hair, eye color, teeth, hair style, body build, face shape, complexion, and hair length.

Sandoval County inmate records typically contain limited information about arrests. Local law enforcement agencies are the primary custodians of arrest records. For instance, the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) may be contacted at:

7255 Oersted Rd NE.

P.O. Box 5219

Bernalillo, NM 87004

Phone: (505) 867-7526

Active Warrant Search in Sandoval County

A Sandoval County arrest warrant is an official directive authorizing law enforcement officers to apprehend a specific individual suspected of committing a crime and bring them before a court to face possible punishment. According to Rule 5-208 NMRA, a court may issue an arrest warrant upon receiving an indictment or a written statement establishing sufficient probable cause that an offense was committed and the person to be arrested committed it. Per Rule 5-208 (D), a valid arrest warrant must contain the following:

• The issuing court’s signature
• The name of the person to be arrested or a description that may be used to identify them with reasonable certainty
• A description of the alleged offense
• Conditions for the defendant’s release provided that the alleged offense is:
  • A misdemeanor resolvable by paying a fine
  • Traffic code misdemeanor, except DWI offenses.

Sandoval County warrants are presumed public under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) with certain exceptions. Executed warrants are usually public, while active warrants may be withheld per IPRA’s exemptions, such as where disclosure could jeopardize an ongoing investigation.

There is no centralized online database for accessing information about active warrants in Sandoval County. Thus, inquiries about active warrants are typically made through local law enforcement agencies and courts, either in person, by mail, or by phone. The typical criteria needed to facilitate warrant inquiries may include the warrant’s subject’s name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (if known).

Note: Inquirers may also review court records online through the New Mexico Courts Public Access portal to find warrants issued in local cases.

Agency / Resource	Purpose	Search Methods	Notes
Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office	Maintains and serves warrants.	Phone, by mail, and in person	May be limited to warrants that the agency is responsible for executing
New Mexico Courts Public Access portal	Offer access to public court records that may contain details about warrants issued in local cases.	Online	Availability of warrant information is not guaranteed
Local courts	Maintains and issues warrants	In-person, phone, and by mail	Search method may vary by court

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Sandoval County

Unfortunately, Sandoval County law enforcement agencies do not provide free online resources where they publish information about arrests they make. Notwithstanding, record seekers may use the Sandoval County Inmate Lookup portal to access certain arrest information for free. However, the portal only provides information about current county inmates.

Per the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), Sandoval County law enforcement agencies may permit free in-person searches and inspection of public arrest records during their official hours. However, individuals who request copies of arrest records may be charged a minimal fee. Generally, record seekers must provide sufficient information about the sought-after arrest record to facilitate their search. These may include the arrestee’s name, date of birth, or case number (if known).

Note: Confidential arrest records are typically not accessible for free, and requesters must provide acceptable identification to request them.

Sandoval County Arrest Report

A Sandoval County arrest report documents an arresting officer’s narrative of what occurred during and after an arrest. The arresting officer typically prepares an arrest report after an arrest. It may detail the officer’s observations during the arrest, evidence collected, and statements provided by the victims, suspects, and witnesses at the scene.

On the other hand, an arrest record provides basic factual information about an arrest. It is usually entered into law enforcement and judicial databases. Contents of an arrest record may include, but are not limited to, the arrestee’s personal information, physical description, offense details, arrest date, and location.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Sandoval County

In Sandoval County, the process for applying to get an arrest record expunged is governed by the New Mexico Criminal Records Expungement Act. The act establishes the eligibility requirements for an arrest record to qualify for expungement. For instance, an individual arrested due to mistaken identity is eligible to have all records concerning the arrest expunged. Furthermore, if an individual gets arrested but is released without being convicted, their arrest record may also be eligible for expungement. Notwithstanding, an arrest that results in a conviction may also qualify for expungement. Eligible convictions may include misdemeanors, municipal ordinance violations, offenses under the Crimes Against Household Member Act, and most felony convictions.

However, convictions for any of the following types of offenses are ineligible for expungement:

• Offenses committed against a child
• Embezzlement per NMSA §30-16-8
• Sex offense under NMSA §29-11A-3
• Driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicating liquor
• Offenses that result in great bodily harm or another person’s death

The New Mexico Criminal Records Expungement Act also established waiting periods before individuals with eligible arrest records may apply for expungement, with one exception. These waiting periods are as follows:

• Arrests due to mistaken identity: no waiting period.
• Arrests that resulted in release without a conviction: one year after the case’s final disposition.
• Municipal ordinance violation or misdemeanor conviction: two (2) years
• Misdemeanor aggravated battery or fourth-degree felony conviction: four (2) years
• Third-degree felony conviction: six (6) years
• Second-degree felony conviction: eight (8) years
• First-degree felony or Crimes Against Household Member Act conviction: 10 years.

Individuals with eligible arrest records may apply for expungement in Santa Fe County following these steps:

• Step 1 - Obtain required documents: prospective applicants must obtain their complete criminal history record from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) and their sentencing and other case records from the court that presided over their case.
• Step 2 - Select and complete the appropriate expungement petition form: There are different expungement petition forms depending on the case’s specifics. These forms are available online through the New Mexico Judiciary website. Alternatively, applicants may contact the Sandoval County District Court Clerk to request the appropriate expungement petition form.
• Step 3 - File the completed expungement petition form and pay the required fee: Applicants may file their completed expungement petition form with the Sandoval County District Court and pay the $132 processing fee via cash, cashier’s check, or money order. Indigent applicants may apply for a fee waiver using the Application for Free Process and Affidavit of Indigency (Form 4-222 NMRA)
• Step 4 - Submit the expungement petition form and other required documents to the relevant agencies and officials: After filing their expungement application with the Sandoval County District Court, applicants must also file it with the Sandoval County District Attorney, the NMDPS, and the arresting law enforcement agency.

After receiving the expungement petition and relevant fees, the Sandoval County District Court will schedule a hearing. At the hearing, the applicants will be asked questions about their petition, and objections raised by relevant agencies will be addressed. Subsequently, the expungement petition may be approved or denied within 30 days.

How Do You Remove Sandoval County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Record holders may remove their Sandoval County arrest records from the internet by getting the record expunged. Generally, expunged records are exempt from public access. Thus, government and private entities are legally required to remove expunged arrest records from online resources they maintain to restrict public access to the records.

Most third-party aggregator websites also allow individuals to opt out of their services, resulting in the removal of their public records, including arrest records, from the site’s database. Depending on how a website operates, opt-out requests may be made using an online form or by calling a dedicated phone number.