Valencia County Arrest Records

In Valencia County, law enforcement agents can arrest an individual when there is sufficient evidence to believe such a person has committed a crime. Arrests can be made upon the authority of a warrant once a court has issued it. This ensures that the accused individual appears before a court for legal proceedings. Once an individual is arrested, they are generally taken to the Valencia County Detention Centre in Los Lunas for booking and processing. Booking typically involves getting pertinent details about the arrested person, including photographs, fingerprints, personal information such as name, tattoos, identifying marks, alleged crime, location of the crime, and if a vehicle was used in committing the crime. Generally, in Valencia County, arrested individuals awaiting arraignment or serving shorter sentences are remanded until their cases have been resolved or they have completed their sentences.

It is worth noting that the primary agency responsible for generating and managing arrest records in Valencia County is the Valencia County Sheriff's Office. Arrest records typically include details of the offense, any relevant charges, and booking information. They are closely linked to other public documents, including Valencia County Court Records, which document the legal proceedings following an arrest. Arrest records are typically used to track a case's progress and outcome, which helps foster accountability and transparency in the legal system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Valencia County?

According to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), Valencia County arrest records are classified as public information. This law grants interested members of the public access to arrest records in Valencia County. Additionally, if an arrest records request is denied, under the law, such an individual is at liberty to pursue legal recourse to ensure access. Regardless of the law, there are certain conditions under which certain arrest records are restricted from public access in Valencia County. Per the Arrest Records Information Act (N.M. Stat. §§29-10-1 to -8), certain arrest records in Valencia County are considered confidential and hence not available to the public. This typically involves records that include details of a suspect gathered during an investigation involving another person. Other records that are exempt from public access include but are not limited to the following:

• Records that could disrupt an ongoing investigation
• Records that could endanger or compromise the safety of an individual
• Juvenile records are protected under the N.M. Stat. § 32A-2-32.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records in Valencia County typically contain the following set of details:

Biometric details such as fingerprints, palm prints, photographs

• Personal details such as full name of the arrested person, sex, date of birth, occupation and address
• Physical attributes such as eye color, race, tattoos, if any
• Arrest date and time
• Location of arrest
• Arresting agency and agent
• Alleged crime or offense, including description and the code
• State arrest tracking number typically assigned to the arrest record
• State Personal identification number is usually assigned to the arrested individual
• Bond amount

Valencia County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI's 2020 Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data, Valencia County had a total of 386 reported violent crimes. This included 356 cases of aggravated assaults, 19 cases of rape, 11 robberies, and no cases of murder or non-negligent manslaughter. Property crimes experienced a rise, with 1,196 reported incidents, including 516 cases of burglaries, 266 cases of motor vehicle theft, and 414 cases of theft.

In comparison to 2019, Valencia County experienced an increase in reported violent crimes, rising from 376 in 2019 to 386 reported cases in 2020. Property-related crimes also slightly increased, rising from 905 cases in 2019 to 1,196 cases in 2020. Based on these statistics, there was a notable rise in violent crime, going as high as 2.7%, while there was a 32.1% rise in property-related crimes from the year 2018 to 2020.

Find Valencia County Arrest Records

Individuals interested in finding arrest information for Valencia County can make use of a combination of state and federal resources; below is a list of the resources and how they can be used in finding arrest records:

New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS)

The NMDPS maintains criminal records and arrest reports for New Mexico, including Valencia County. The Department of Safety allows interested parties to request background checks through its Criminal History Records Service. Interested parties can simply request arrest records by filling out the right forms on the agency's website. It is worth noting that while certain records may require written requests, others are accessible remotely.

New Mexico Courts Case Lookup

The New Mexico Courts grant public access to court records, including arrest records, through its remote case lookup tool. This tool allows users to search by name or case number to find relevant details regarding individuals who may have been arrested.

Valencia County Sheriff's Office

As earlier stated, the Valencia County Sheriff's Office is primarily responsible for managing and maintaining arrest records and inmate information in Valencia County. Individuals interested in obtaining local arrest records can do so by paying a physical visit or simply by requesting such records via mail or phone.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator

This resource can be used to track individuals remanded in federal facilities. The FBI inmate locator grants interested parties access to information on all currently incarcerated people and all those released after 1982. Searches can be conducted by name or prison number.

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)

VINE is a federal tool that grants interested parties access to the custody status of offenders at no cost. This covers inmates in state and local facilities, including Valencia County, New Mexico. The offender's name can be used to search, and regular updates on inmates can be sent to the researcher upon signing up.

Free Arrest Record Search in Valencia County

Certain local law enforcement agencies in Valencia County provide free access to basic arrest records via their official websites. Nonetheless, individuals who prefer a full and well-detailed report would typically be required to make the required payment for such a service. Alternatively, third-party websites also offer free access to Valencia County arrest records. It is, however, worth noting that information obtained from third-party, non-government-affiliated websites should be cross-checked against records from official sources to ensure accuracy.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Valencia County arrest records remain on an individual's criminal record indefinitely until it is legally expunged or sealed. Nonetheless, local law enforcement agencies are at liberty only to keep these records for a specific period before they can be destroyed.

As per New Mexico's Functional Records and Disposition Schedules (FRDS), arrest records must be kept until they have exceeded the law's retention period. This law typically requires case files and arrest records to be kept for 10 years, after which agencies can dispose of them.

Expunge Valencia County Arrest Records

To expunge an arrest record in Valencia County, the requester must file a request with the court, after which, if approved, it will cease to appear in background checks and can then be treated as though it never took place. Expungement is crucial in job search and housing applications, as this allows applicants to deny any prior arrests or run-ins with law enforcement. It is worth noting that although expunged records are typically inaccessible to the public, expunged records will remain visible to law enforcement agencies, courts, and criminal justice agencies.

Per the New Mexico Criminal Records Expungement Act (CREA), below are the stipulated waiting period for various offenses before which the application for expungement would be considered valid:

• If a case is dismissed, the arrested person must wait for a year before filing for expungement. This is also dependent on whether such individuals have any pending criminal cases against them.
• Arrests that led to conviction would typically depend on the severity of the crime;
  • Non-violent misdemeanor convictions require a 2-years wait before expungement.
  • Felony convictions require a 4-10 year waiting period, which is subject to the court's discretion. Factors like the nature of the crime, the petitioner's prior criminal history, and the time elapsed are usually considered before approving expungement.
  • Convictions for crimes like DUI, sex crimes, serious violent offenses, and embezzlement cannot be expunged.

Below is the step-by-step process for processing arrest records expungement in Valencia County, New Mexico:

• The requester is required to fill out all the necessary New Mexico Court Expungement Forms, which include Petition to Expunge, Notice of Hearing, and Order on the Petition; supporting documents such as arrest and sentencing records should also be included
• The completed petition should then be submitted alongside any required payment. Typically, a fee of $132 is required. Certain fee waivers are available for qualified individuals.
• The next step is to inform any relevant agencies of the petition. To this end, the certified copies of the petition can be sent to the district attorney, the Department of Public Safety, and any other police department involved
• This is typically followed by court hearings where a judge would consider the validity of the request.
• Upon reaching a verdict, the decision would be communicated to the requester. In cases where the application is denied, such a decision can be appealed to the court of appeals.

Only some situations are permitted for record sealing in New Mexico, such as when juvenile records are automatically sealed at the age of 18 or when victims of human trafficking are coerced into engaging in criminal behavior. Although the documents are still accessible to approved entities, public access is restricted by both sealing and erasure.

Valencia County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Valencia County, New Mexico, is a legal document authorizing law enforcement agents or officers to arrest an individual suspected of a crime. Warrants are typically issued by a magistrate or judge based on probable cause that shows an individual has committed a crime. The warrant process usually involves the submission of an affidavit or evidence that shows the need for an arrest by a police officer or prosecutor.

Arrest warrants are typically granted in the following situations:

• There is adequate proof or reasonable suspicion that an individual has committed a crime.
• A bench warrant is issued when a person does not show up for court.
• There are serious offenses implicated, necessitating official detention authority.

An arrest warrant usually contains the following information:

• Personal information such as name, date of birth, and any physical description
• Date and location where the crime was committed
• A description and name of the crime committed
• Issuing judge's signature and court seal
• Instructions on the execution of the arrest for law enforcement agents

Do Valencia County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants do not have an expiration date in Valencia County, New Mexico. Once an arrest warrant has been issued, such warrant would remain active until the individual has been arrested or the court quashes the warrant. This is the same for all offenses, whether minor violations or severe felony charges. It is worth noting that although the statute of limitations sets time limits for filing charges, this does not affect the validity of an arrest warrant. While warrants may be prioritized based on the severity of the crime, they remain enforceable until resolved either through arrest or court order.