New Mexico Public Records /Find New Mexico Criminal Records

Find New Mexico Criminal Records

Are Criminal Records Public in New Mexico?

Yes. The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act permits public access to government records, including criminal records. To obtain these records, requesters typically need to provide:

The subject’s full name, unless the subject is a juvenile.
The subject’s last known location, including cities, counties, and states.

Criminal records in New Mexico are managed by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) and are accessible through various third-party aggregate websites.

What Constitutes a Criminal Record in New Mexico?

New Mexico criminal records, or rap sheets, are official documents detailing a person's criminal activities within the state. These records include information from local, county, and state-operated criminal justice agencies and cover arrests, indictments, convictions, and incarcerations. They are the most comprehensive type of police record created during a criminal case.

What Information Is Included in New Mexico Criminal Record?

Full name and known aliases
Birthdate and race/ethnicity
Fingerprints and mugshots
Physical descriptors (weight, height, eye color, hair color, body markings)
Indictments (past and present)
Arrest records and outstanding warrants
Conviction information
Post-conviction status

How To Check Criminal Records in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) issues fingerprint-based criminal record certificates. Individuals, employers, and financial providers can request these records. The process typically involves submitting fingerprints and a formal request to the NMDPS.

Members of the public may also perform a name-based case lookup through New Mexico’s Courts. This can be done online or by visiting local law enforcement offices, courts, and public access databases. The cost for a criminal history record check is generally around $10, though fee waivers may be available for eligible requesters.

Are Arrest Records Public in New Mexico?

Yes. Arrest records in New Mexico are public under the Inspection of Public Records Act. These records can be found through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) or local law enforcement agencies like police departments and sheriff’s offices.

To obtain arrest records, requesters may need to contact the relevant local agency and may incur a nominal fee for document copying. Some agencies may grant fee waivers, allowing free access to these records.

What Are Arrest Warrants in New Mexico?

New Mexico arrest warrants are court orders authorizing law enforcement to apprehend individuals suspected of criminal activity. Issued by a judge or magistrate, these warrants include:

Description of the alleged offense
Suspect’s personal information
Date and time of the arrest
Validity restrictions
Bail/bond conditions

Law enforcement officers can arrest suspects without a warrant if they witness the crime or suspect a felony.

How To Lookup Mugshots in New Mexico

Mugshots are photographs taken during the booking process of individuals arrested by law enforcement. These images are part of public police records and are stored with the arresting agency. Mugshots can be found by contacting local police departments or through online databases maintained by these agencies.

How To Search Inmate Records in New Mexico

Inmate records in New Mexico are publicly available and managed by the New Mexico Department of Corrections (NMDC). These records include information such as inmate names, aliases, incarceration dates, and expected release dates. To find inmate records, individuals can search the NMDC’s online database using the offender's name or unique DOC number.

How To Find New Mexico Criminal History Record for Free

Criminal records in New Mexico are official documents detailing an individual’s criminal activities. While government-owned public record sites typically require a fee, some options may be free:

Query the Sheriff’s office for viewing records
Use public access computers at law enforcement offices

The Department of Public Safety offers a "Criminal History Records Check" for a fee, generally around $10, with possible fee waivers for eligible requesters.

Are Juvenile Criminal Records Publicly Available in New Mexico?

Juvenile records in New Mexico document the criminal activities of minors processed through the juvenile justice system. These records are confidential and not publicly available. They include arrest records, juvenile detention center records, and juvenile court records. Access is selective unless the individual petitions for expungement.

How To Find Sex Offenders in New Mexico

Sex offender records in New Mexico are publicly available and managed by various law enforcement agencies. These records are part of the New Mexico sex offender registry and include:

Full name and known aliases
Biodata and residential details
Home, work, and school addresses
Relevant criminal histories and compliance status

Individuals can search the sex offender registry online to obtain this information.

Are Police Records Public Information in New Mexico?

Yes, police records are public information in New Mexico under the Inspection of Public Records Act. These records are stored by state and local law enforcement agencies and can be accessed by submitting an Information Request Form (IPRA-1). Police records typically contain:

Incident reports
Arrest records
Activity logs
Investigation reports

New Mexico Misdemeanor Laws: Types of Offenses and Punishments

Misdemeanors in New Mexico are non-indictable offenses considered less severe than felonies. They are divided into two categories:

Petty Misdemeanors: Shoplifting items worth no more than $250, property damage up to $1000, simple battery, disorderly conduct.
Misdemeanors: Trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft of items worth at least $250 but no more than $500.

Penalties typically do not exceed one year in jail or a $1000 fine.

New Mexico Criminal Laws: Offenses and Penalties Explained

Felony offenses in New Mexico are serious crimes punishable by at least one year in jail. They are categorized into five classes:

Capital Felonies: Premeditated murder, aggravated sexual assault
First-degree Felonies: Murder, sexual assault of a minor, robbery with a deadly weapon
Second-degree Felonies: Robbery, production of child pornography, drug trafficking
Third-degree Felonies: Aggravated battery, sex-related crimes
Fourth-degree Felonies: Involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, burglary

Penalties range from capital punishment to a minimum of 18 months in jail and fines.

Overview of New Mexico DUI Laws

A DUI in New Mexico is a serious offense involving the operation of a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. New Mexico’s DUI laws prohibit adults from driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. Penalties for DUI include license suspension, jail time, fines, and community service. Police may perform field sobriety tests and arrest individuals with impaired abilities or BAC above the legal limit.

Are New Mexico Probation Records Public?

Probation records in New Mexico document the conditions under which a convicted individual serves their sentence outside of detention. These records are managed by the probation office and are not publicly available. Probation conditions vary based on the crime and offender’s history, and may include strict supervision and compliance with specific terms imposed by the court and probation officer.

Search Criminal Records in New Mexico

Other Categories in New Mexico

Court Records Criminal Records Inmate Records Vital Records