Lincoln County Arrest Records

Law enforcement officers in Lincoln County, New Mexico, make an arrest when they have probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime. Officers make an arrest with a warrant issued by a magistrate or judge, or even without one, when they witness a crime in progress or have immediate knowledge of criminal activity.

Arrested persons in Lincoln County are held at the Lincoln County Detention Center located in Carrizozo, the county seat. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary agency responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records within the county jurisdiction.

Practically, arrest records may be accessible in Lincoln County Court Records and criminal history files managed by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. Arrest records document essential details like the arrestee’s personal information, booking date, charges filed, and the arresting officer.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office collaborates with other law enforcement entities, like the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program, to ensure comprehensive record-keeping throughout the arrest and booking process.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lincoln County?

Yes, arrest records are generally public in Lincoln County under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA). It establishes that a representative government depends on an informed electorate, and that the public is entitled to information regarding the affairs of government and official acts of public officers and employees.

Under IPRA, every person has the right to inspect public records maintained by governmental bodies in New Mexico, including arrest records. Under the New Mexico Arrest Record Information Act (§29-10-6 NMSA 1978), individuals may inspect arrest record information concerning themselves in person, through counsel, or through an authorized agent.

However, certain arrest information may be exempt from public disclosure. Records that are typically confidential include:

• Law enforcement records covering ongoing criminal investigations
• Cases where the arrestee was not charged with a crime
• Juvenile criminal records, which are sealed
• Medical records, including mental health files, and expunged records.
• Records pertaining to identity theft victims or individuals wrongfully arrested may also receive special protection.

To access personal arrest records, individuals must submit a legible, complete, and notarized Department of Public Safety Authorization for Release of Information form along with a $15.00 processing fee made payable to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

Lincoln County Arrest Statistics

Lincoln County maintains relatively low arrest and crime rates compared to larger New Mexico counties. According to available law enforcement data, Lincoln County had a population of 20,269 in 2020. The county reported 15 violent crimes and 67 property crimes that year, reflecting its rural character and smaller population base. These statistics are compiled by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and reported to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, which serves as the central repository for Uniform Crime Reporting data.

Find Lincoln County Arrest Records

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
At the local level, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office maintains booking records and inmate information. Citizens can navigate to or contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at:

300 Central Avenue,
Carrizozo, NM 88301
Phone: (575) 648-2341

New Mexico Corrections Department
The New Mexico Corrections Department maintains an online offender search database where the public can search for current inmates and offenders under supervision. This system allows searches by offender name, date of birth, and identification number.

New Mexico Judicial Branch
The New Mexico Judicial Branch provides a Case Lookup portal on the New Mexico Courts website where individuals can search court cases by name, case number, or date range.

New Mexico Department of Public Safety
For comprehensive criminal history information, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety operates the State Central Repository for Criminal History. To obtain arrest record information, individuals must submit a notarized Authorization for Release of Information form along with the $15.00 processing fee.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
For federal inmates, the Federal Bureau of Prisons operates the Federal Inmate Locator system, accessible online at no cost.

Lincoln County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record documents the fact that a person was taken into custody by law enforcement, including details about the arrest date, charges, arresting agency, and booking information. An arrest record is created at the time of apprehension and booking, regardless of whether charges are ultimately filed or the individual is convicted. These records remain part of the public documentation even if charges are dropped or the person is found not guilty.

Criminal records, conversely, are more comprehensive documents that include arrest information plus the outcomes of criminal proceedings. A criminal record encompasses convictions, acquittals, dismissals, plea agreements, sentencing information, probation or parole status, and court dispositions.

Criminal records provide a complete picture of an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system, while arrest records only capture the initial law enforcement action. Criminal records are maintained by courts, prosecutors, and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety’s Law Enforcement Records Bureau (LERB).

It is possible to have an arrest record without having a criminal record if charges were never filed or if the case was dismissed. However, anyone with a criminal conviction will also have an associated arrest record. Both types of records are generally accessible to the public under IPRA, though certain exceptions apply for sealed, expunged, or juvenile records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In New Mexico, arrests generally remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless specific action is taken to expunge or seal them. The New Mexico State Central Repository for Criminal History maintains arrest record information based on fingerprint cards submitted by arresting agencies. These records remain in government databases even after charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted. However, New Mexico law provides ways to remove certain arrests from public view through the Criminal Record Expungement Act (CREA).

Under the CREA, which took effect on January 1, 2020, eligible individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records and related public records. For arrests that did not result in a conviction, individuals may petition for expungement one year after the final disposition of the case. This applies to charges or arrests for felony, misdemeanor, and ordinance violations under criminal and traffic codes.

For convictions, waiting periods vary based on offense severity:

• First-degree felonies require a ten-year waiting period after completion of the sentence.
• Second-degree felonies require 8 years.
• Third-degree felonies require 6 years.
• Fourth-degree felonies require 4 years.
• Misdemeanors require 2 years, except misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, which require ten years.

During these waiting periods, the individual must remain crime-free, because certain serious offenses cannot be expunged, including:

• Sex crimes
• Crimes against children
• Violent crimes resulting in great bodily harm or death
• DWI convictions.

Juvenile records may be sealed two years after the case, probation, or placement ends, or when the individual turns 18, whichever comes first.

Lincoln County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are usually issued when law enforcement cannot make an immediate arrest, when an investigation reveals criminal activity, or when a defendant fails to appear in court. Unlike a summons, an arrest warrant authorises the use of force if necessary to take the person into custody. Law enforcement may execute warrants at any time of day or night, though certain procedural protections apply when entering private residences.

In Lincoln County, officers must generally announce their presence and purpose before forcing entry, unless exigent circumstances justify a no-knock entry.

An arrest warrant must include specific information:

• The defendant’s name or physical description, if the name is unknown
• The offense charged
• The date of issuance
• A command directing law enforcement to arrest the defendant and bring them before the court.

Once issued, the warrant is directed to law enforcement officers who have the authority to execute it anywhere within New Mexico. The law enforcement officer must bring the arrested individual before the court without unnecessary delay following the arrest.

Do Lincoln County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants issued in Lincoln County do not have specific expiration dates and remain active indefinitely until resolved. In New Mexico, arrest warrants and bench warrants remain valid until the suspect appears before the issuing court, the alleged offender dies, or the issuing authorities recall the warrant. Law enforcement officers have a continuing duty to execute warrants, and prosecuting attorneys must make reasonable efforts to locate named suspects.

In New Mexico, felonies have statutes of limitations ranging from three to six years, depending on the offense severity. Misdemeanors have a limitations period of one to two years. Murder charges have no statute of limitations, meaning warrants for murder remain active indefinitely regardless of time passage. The statute of limitations clock begins running from the date the offense was committed.

Expunge Lincoln County Arrest Records

The process for expunging arrest records in Lincoln County follows the procedures established by the New Mexico Criminal Record Expungement Act. Individuals seeking expungement must first determine their eligibility based on the type and outcome of their case. Eligible parties include:

• Those arrested but not convicted
• Those with conviction records after completing the required waiting periods
• Individuals who were victims of identity theft or wrongfully arrested.

Ineligible offenses include sex crimes, crimes against children, violent crimes causing great bodily harm or death, and DWI convictions.

To begin the expungement process, petitioners must complete the appropriate forms available on the New Mexico Courts website. Required documentation includes arrest records, court records, sentencing records showing the final disposition, and certified statements proving eligibility. The petition must be filed in the district court where the conviction occurred or where the arrest originated for non-conviction cases.

The court will schedule a hearing within 30 days of receiving the petition. At the hearing, the judge considers several factors:

• The nature and gravity of the offense
• The petitioner’s age
• Criminal and employment history
• Time passed since offense and sentence completion
• Adverse consequences if denied
• Any objections from the district attorney or law enforcement.

If granted, the expungement order requires all arrest records and related public records to be removed from public view, though criminal justice agencies retain access for law enforcement purposes.