La Plata County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in La Plata County
Arrest records in La Plata County are generally considered public records under Colorado law. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, codified at § 24-72-301 et seq. of the Colorado Revised Statutes, governs public access to criminal justice records, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies. Under this framework, members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of arrest records subject to certain limitations and agency discretion.
An important legal distinction exists between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, whereas a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. An arrest does not constitute proof of guilt, and Colorado law recognizes this distinction by providing mechanisms for sealing arrest records that did not result in conviction. The La Plata County Sheriff's Office and the Durango Police Department are the primary custodians of local arrest records, while the Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide criminal history data.
What's in La Plata County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by La Plata County law enforcement agencies typically contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the custodial process.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
- Social Security Number (where legally permissible to disclose)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., La Plata County Sheriff's Office or Durango Police Department)
- Circumstances and narrative summary of the arrest
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Statute or ordinance allegedly violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or petty offense)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of originating warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned by the detention facility
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was booked
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, cash, surety)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond conditions imposed
Court Information:
- Case number assigned by the court
- Scheduled court appearance dates
- Presiding court (e.g., La Plata County District Court or County Court)
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (held, released, transferred)
- Release date and conditions of release
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Prior criminal history references
- Incident report number associated with the arrest
How To Look Up Arrest Records in La Plata County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in La Plata County may submit requests through several official channels. The process is governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, and agencies are required to respond to requests in a timely manner.
To obtain arrest records, individuals may follow these steps:
- Contact the La Plata County Sheriff's Office directly to request records related to arrests made by sheriff's deputies. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the agency's records request process.
- Contact the Durango Police Department for records pertaining to arrests made within the City of Durango.
- Submit a written records request identifying the subject of the record, the approximate date of arrest, and the requester's contact information.
- Pay applicable fees for copies of records, which are set by each agency in accordance with state law.
- Allow processing time, as agencies may take up to three business days to respond to routine requests, with extensions permitted for complex or voluminous requests.
La Plata County Sheriff's Office 1055 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 382-7700 La Plata County Sheriff's Office
Durango Police Department 990 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 385-2900 Durango Police Department
La Plata County District Court 1060 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-2304 La Plata County District Court
How To Find La Plata County Arrest Records Online
Several official and government-affiliated online resources are available for locating arrest records associated with La Plata County.
- Colorado Courts E-Filing and Case Search: The Colorado Judicial Branch provides an online case search tool at Colorado Courts Online where members of the public may search for criminal case information by name or case number. This system reflects court filings and dispositions linked to arrests.
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide criminal history records. Members of the public may submit a name-based or fingerprint-based background check request through the CBI to obtain criminal history information, which includes arrest and disposition data.
- La Plata County Sheriff's Office Website: The sheriff's office may publish current inmate rosters or recent arrest logs on its official website, providing a real-time snapshot of individuals currently in custody.
- Vinelink/Colorado Offender Search: The Colorado Department of Corrections provides an offender search tool for individuals who have been sentenced to state custody.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation 690 Kipling St, Suite 3000, Denver, CO 80215 (303) 239-4300 Colorado Bureau of Investigation
How To Search La Plata County Arrest Records for Free?
Certain arrest record information is accessible at no cost through official government resources.
- Colorado Courts Online Case Search allows members of the public to search criminal case records at no charge. Basic case information, including charges and court dates, is available without a fee.
- La Plata County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster, when published online, provides free access to current booking information for individuals held at the La Plata County Detention Center.
- In-person inspection of public arrest records at the Sheriff's Office or Durango Police Department records counter is generally available at no cost, though fees may apply for printed copies.
- Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at § 24-72-201, permits members of the public to inspect public records without charge, with fees limited to the actual cost of duplication.
Public counter hours for records requests vary by agency. The La Plata County Sheriff's Office records division is generally open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Members of the public are advised to call ahead to confirm current counter hours before visiting in person.
How To Delete Arrest Records in La Plata County
Colorado law provides two primary legal remedies for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes). These remedies are distinct in their legal effect and eligibility requirements.
Sealing is the more commonly available remedy in Colorado. Under § 24-72-704 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, individuals may petition the court to seal criminal records in circumstances including:
- Arrest without charges being filed
- Charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- Conviction of certain eligible offenses after a required waiting period
- Successful completion of a diversion program
Expungement in Colorado is generally reserved for juvenile records and certain specific circumstances, such as records related to offenses that have been decriminalized.
To initiate the sealing process, individuals must:
- Determine eligibility based on the nature of the arrest and its disposition
- File a petition to seal records with the court that handled the case (La Plata County District Court or County Court)
- Serve notice on the prosecuting agency (La Plata County District Attorney's Office)
- Attend a hearing if the prosecution objects to the sealing
- Obtain a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal the record
La Plata County District Attorney's Office 1060 E 2nd Ave, Suite 220, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-8850 La Plata County District Attorney's Office
What Happens After Arrest in La Plata County?
The criminal justice process in La Plata County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
- Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the La Plata County Detention Center, where booking procedures are completed, including fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information.
- Initial Advisement: Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual must appear before a judge for an initial advisement of charges and a determination of bond conditions.
- Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: For felony charges, a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed to trial.
- Arraignment: The defendant enters a formal plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest) before the court.
- Pre-Trial Proceedings: Discovery, motions, and negotiations between the prosecution and defense occur during this phase.
- Trial or Plea: The case proceeds to jury or bench trial, or is resolved through a negotiated plea agreement.
- Sentencing: Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Colorado sentencing guidelines.
- Appeals: Convicted individuals retain the right to appeal their conviction or sentence to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in La Plata County?
Arrest records in La Plata County are subject to retention schedules established under Colorado law and applicable state archival standards. The Colorado State Archives and the Division of Local Government provide guidance on records retention for local government agencies.
Under current Colorado law and the Colorado Revised Statutes governing public records retention, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period that varies based on the nature of the offense and the disposition of the case:
- Felony arrest records are typically retained permanently or for extended periods, given the serious nature of the underlying offenses.
- Misdemeanor arrest records may be retained for shorter periods, though many agencies maintain these records indefinitely as part of their criminal history files.
- Arrest records without conviction are retained subject to applicable sealing orders; absent a court order to seal, these records remain in agency files.
Different agencies within La Plata County maintain their own records in accordance with their respective retention schedules. The La Plata County Sheriff's Office, Durango Police Department, and La Plata County District Court each maintain separate record sets with potentially different retention periods. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing investigations and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.
How to Find Mugshots in La Plata County
What Mugshots Are Mugshots are official booking photographs taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into custody. These photographs are part of the arrest record and serve as an official identification tool within the criminal justice system.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots taken in La Plata County are maintained by the La Plata County Detention Center, which operates under the authority of the La Plata County Sheriff's Office. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation may also retain booking photographs as part of statewide criminal history records.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public seeking a specific booking photograph may submit a records request to the La Plata County Sheriff's Office. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the approximate date of arrest, and the requester's contact information.
Can They Be Found Online The La Plata County Sheriff's Office may publish current inmate booking photographs on its official website as part of an active inmate roster. Availability of online mugshots is subject to change based on agency policy and the custody status of the individual.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of booking photographs may be obtained through a formal public records request submitted to the La Plata County Sheriff's Office records division. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with agency fee schedules.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Colorado law provides certain protections regarding the use and dissemination of booking photographs. If an individual's arrest record has been sealed pursuant to a court order, associated booking photographs are also subject to sealing and may not be disclosed to the public. Additionally, commercial mugshot websites that charge fees for removal of photographs may be subject to legal restrictions under Colorado consumer protection statutes.
La Plata County Detention Center 742 Turner Dr, Durango, CO 81303 (970) 382-7700 La Plata County Sheriff's Office