New Mexico Criminal Records

How do I find criminal records in New Mexico?

The Central Repository of Criminal History maintains and manages the records regarding felonies, misdemeanors, and DWI offenses. Any particular citizen can request a copy of their own records by filling out an Authorization for Release of Information form and pay a fee of $15 to the Department of Public Safety. In between one and two weeks after presenting the form and paying the fee, the requester should receive their records via mail. To know more about the Central Repository of Criminal History, visit the Department of Public Safety.

How far does a criminal background check go in New Mexico?

New Mexico has a state law that prevents people from looking at an entire criminal history. Only five arrests can be shown and convictions for only the seven past years. New Mexico is one of the states that has adopted a seven-year law, which prevents older crimes from being able to be seen.

Are criminal records public in New Mexico?

In the state of New Mexico, it is possible to access criminal records publicly. As it happens in most states, it's possible to look up the official database of the Department of Public Safety, specifically of the New Mexico State Central Repository for Criminal History. This institution will grant access to the personal criminal records of the requester or handle those records to any pertinent authority. However, civilian third parties are not allowed to access those records.

Are police reports public in New Mexico?

Police reports in New Mexico are government information about an individual and are therefore public information. Police reports are the documents of the experience the arresting officer had when coming to an incident. They report the victims, offenders, offenses, and all information related to an incident.

How do I look up conviction records in New Mexico?

Convictions can be found by getting a criminal background check or visiting a local courthouse and asking to see their records. New Mexico has a court case lookup online that allows court records to be accessed on the Internet as well.

Are arrest records public in New Mexico?

Arrests will be public information in New Mexico unless the arrest has been expunged or sealed. Certain background check companies may not report arrests in order to protect a certain job applicant as well. Arrest records contain information relating to the arrest, such as date, time, location, and any charges.

What's the difference between arrest and conviction records in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, arrests are when you are arrested and possibly charged with a crime. It does not prove that someone is guilty of committing a crime. A conviction is when the court decides that you are guilty, whether that be through pleading guilty or them finding you guilty.

Are mugshots public record in New Mexico?

Mugshots are included in criminal records and will be available to people that access your criminal record. They will be accessible in the online versions and the physical versions of the record document. The New Mexico State Police Department, in particular, has access to all mugshots.

How long do you have to wait to get your record expunged in New Mexico?

New Mexico laws state that in order to be eligible for expungement, you have to wait two years from the end of one's sentence for a misdemeanor and four years for a felony. This means that if you were convicted of a felony and sentenced to ten years in prison, it would be 14 years till you are eligible.

Can I get rid of my criminal record in New Mexico?

In New Mexico and all other states, there is a process of destroying one's criminal record called expungement. You are able to expunge your record, so that past convictions won't hinder you from trying to get a job or a loan.

How much does an expungement cost in New Mexico?

There may be some small fees when gathering documents or things like that. However, the majority of the expenses for expungement would be if you hired an attorney. Attorneys can be anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.

What felonies can be expunged in New Mexico?

Almost all felonies can be expunged if all of the other requirements, such as waiting time, are met. The only felonies that can't be expunged are serious violent and sexual crimes, such as crimes involving a child, serious bodily harm or death, and driving under the influence.

How do I get my criminal record expunged in New Mexico?

To start the expungement process in New Mexico to clean your criminal record, you must file a petition to the court that heard your case. You can download the expungement paperwork through the New Mexico courts website and file it after it's complete. Additionally, you must notify the district attorney and the police department involved with your crime.

How do I get my arrest record expunged in New Mexico?

The arrest record expungement process applies basically the same way as a conviction record, except you only have to wait one year to be eligible. Just go to the New Mexico courts website and download the corresponding paperwork needed to petition for expungement.

How do I find an inmate in New Mexico?

The New Mexico Corrections Department's website offers an inmate search tool, which can be used as a way of performing background checks. This search engine gives reports on subjects who are actually inmates in any penitentiary facility in New Mexico or who are on parole or probation. Although the returned reports are not extensive or detailed, they contain all the relevant information, including offenses, physical description, and a picture of the subject. To learn more about the New Mexico Corrections Department, visit their website.

Are inmate records public in New Mexico?

Under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, all government information must be available to the public. This includes inmate records. Inmate records contain important information about an inmate, such as the facility they are being held at, their remaining sentence, and identifying information such as a mugshot or fingerprints.

Is the sex offender registry public in New Mexico?

All information regarding registered sex offenders is located in the New Mexico Sex Offender Registry. The location of registered sex offenders must be given to people nearby and publicly posted. Their offenses must be public information, with the intent to protect people, especially children, around them.

Can a sex offender get off the registry in New Mexico?

Depending on the severity of the crime in New Mexico, someone must register for a minimum of ten years. For the most severe sex offenses, offenders are required to register for life. However, for the majority of sex offenses, one will either be required to register for ten or twenty years.

How do I find the sex offender registry in New Mexico?

The sex offender registry of the State of New Mexico is organized by the private company WatchSystems LLC. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety uses WatchSystems' product OffenderWatch. This slick search engine allows the neighbors in the New Mexico area to check up if there are any sex offenders living in their surroundings. The search engine allows to search by area, name, or just to list all non-compliant offenders. The returned reports are complete and concise, and they include a picture and a physical description, as well as the offenses committed by the subject. To look up the sex offender registry of the State of New Mexico, visit WatchSystems' webpage for the New Mexico's Department of Public Safety.

What is considered a misdemeanor in New Mexico?

A misdemeanor in New Mexico is a lesser crime that can result in fines or time in jail. Petty misdemeanors result in a maximum of 6 months of jail time and $500 in fines. Regular misdemeanors will result in more than the maximum of petty misdemeanors, but no more than a year in jail and $1000 in fines.

What is considered a felony in New Mexico?

A felony is a more severe crime in New Mexico. There are capital felonies and then five different degrees of felonies. Capital felonies have the largest sentences, with life in prison, and 4th-degree felonies will typically be 18 months in prison and a maximum of $5000 in fines.

How do I find court records in Bernalillo County?

Court records in Bernalillo County are held at the Probate Court in Albuquerque. You can call them at (505) 468-1233 or visit them in person. Their address is One Civic Plaza NW, 6th Floor, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Are juvenile criminal records sealed in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, juvenile criminal records will be sealed once the juvenile turns 18. Additionally, a juvenile can have their record sealed after two years from committing their crime. If the juvenile is tried as an adult, it will go on their record like a normal adult criminal record.