Bernalillo Public Records /Bernalillo County Criminal Records

Bernalillo County Criminal Records

What Is Bernalillo County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Bernalillo County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to the New Mexico Criminal Records Act and serve as the official history of arrests, charges, and case dispositions.

Criminal records in Bernalillo County include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office or Albuquerque Police Department
Conviction Records: Official records showing when an individual has been found guilty of a criminal offense
Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
Adult Records: Criminal records for individuals 18 years and older, which are generally accessible to the public
Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18, which are typically sealed and confidential under §32A-2-32 NMSA
Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by a judge
Historical Records: Past criminal justice interactions, including dismissed cases

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Bernalillo County:

Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office
400 Roma Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 468-7100
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office

Second Judicial District Court
400 Lomas Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 841-8400
Second Judicial District Court

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
401 Lomas Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 841-8151
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

New Mexico Department of Public Safety
4491 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 827-9000
New Mexico Department of Public Safety

A comprehensive criminal record typically includes documentation of arrests, charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole status. The Law Enforcement Records Bureau (LERB) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in New Mexico, processing and maintaining records reported by law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Are Criminal Records Public In Bernalillo County

Criminal records in Bernalillo County are generally public documents pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), codified in §14-2-1 through §14-2-12 NMSA. This statute establishes that "every person has a right to inspect public records of this state" with certain exceptions.

The Act specifically states: "Every person has a right to inspect public records of this state except as otherwise provided by law." This provision ensures transparency in government operations while balancing privacy concerns and public safety.

Public criminal records in Bernalillo County typically include:

Adult arrest records
Court proceedings and case files
Conviction records
Sentencing information
Incarceration records
Sex offender registry information

However, certain criminal records are restricted from public access, including:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Records sealed by court order
Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
Expunged records
Records containing confidential informant information
Records that would compromise public safety if disclosed

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information through the Law Enforcement Records Bureau. While many records are public, requestors must follow specific procedures to access them, and certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests.

Law enforcement agencies and courts in Bernalillo County must balance the public's right to access information with individual privacy rights and public safety concerns. The determination of whether specific criminal record information is publicly accessible is governed by state statutes, court rules, and administrative policies.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Bernalillo County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Bernalillo County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:

Online Search Methods:

Access the New Mexico Courts Case Lookup portal to search for case information by name or case number.
Visit the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court website to search for misdemeanor and traffic cases within the court's jurisdiction.
Utilize the Second Judicial District Court online resources for felony and civil case information.

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Records Division at the appropriate courthouse:

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court - Records Division
401 Lomas Blvd NW, 1st Floor
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 841-8151
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Second Judicial District Court - Clerk's Office
400 Lomas Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 841-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Second Judicial District Court Clerk's Office

Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name, date of birth, and case number (if known).
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for copies of records (fees vary based on document type and number of pages).

Mail or Email Requests:

Download and complete the appropriate records request form from the court website.
Include a copy of valid government-issued photo identification.
Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents.
Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order).
Mail the request to the appropriate court address.

Criminal History Reports:

For comprehensive criminal history reports, contact:

New Mexico Department of Public Safety - Records Bureau
4491 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 827-9181
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Law Enforcement Records Bureau

Requestors must submit fingerprints and pay the required fee for a complete criminal history check. The fingerprinting and background check process is administered by the Department of Public Safety.

Pursuant to the Inspection of Public Records Act, agencies must respond to records requests within three business days and provide records within 15 calendar days, unless the request is determined to be excessively burdensome or broad.

How To Find Criminal Records in Bernalillo County Online?

Bernalillo County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals provide convenient access to various types of criminal record information without requiring in-person visits to government offices.

New Mexico Courts Case Lookup System

The New Mexico Judiciary maintains a comprehensive online case lookup system that allows public access to court records across the state, including Bernalillo County cases:

Visit https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov
Search by name, case number, or citation number
Access information on criminal, civil, probate, and domestic cases
View case status, scheduled hearings, and judgment information
No registration required for basic searches
Contains records from both the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court and Second Judicial District Court

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Online Records

For misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and DWI cases in Bernalillo County:

Visit https://metro.nmcourts.gov
Select "Case Lookup" from the main navigation
Search by defendant name or case number
Access information on charges, hearing dates, and case disposition
No registration required

Bernalillo County Detention Center Inmate Lookup

To check current inmate status and booking information:

Visit https://www.bernco.gov/metropolitan-detention-center/
Select "Inmate Lookup" from the available options
Search by name or booking number
View booking date, charges, and custody status
Updated daily
No registration required

New Mexico Department of Public Safety Records

For statewide criminal history information:

Visit https://www.dps.nm.gov/public-information/
Select "Records Request / IPRA"
Complete the online form for public records requests
Registration and payment required for comprehensive criminal history reports
Fingerprinting required for complete background checks

New Mexico Sex Offender Registry

For information on registered sex offenders in Bernalillo County:

Visit https://www.dps.nm.gov/public-information/sex-offender-registry/
Search by name, address, or geographic area
View offender photos, addresses, and offense information
No registration required

It is important to note that while many records are available online, certain documents may only be accessible through in-person requests. Additionally, some online systems may not contain complete case files or exhibits, which would require a visit to the courthouse for full access.

Can You Search Bernalillo County Criminal Records for Free?

Bernalillo County provides several options for members of the public to access criminal records at no cost, in accordance with the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (§14-2-1 NMSA). This statute establishes that "every person has a right to inspect public records of this state" with limited exceptions.

Free In-Person Inspection

The law permits free inspection of public records during normal business hours at the following locations:

Second Judicial District Court - Clerk's Office
400 Lomas Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 841-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Second Judicial District Court Clerk's Office

While inspection is free, requestors should note that copying fees may apply if printed documents are needed. Current copying fees are:

$0.25 per page for standard documents
$1.00 per page for certified copies
Additional fees may apply for specialized documents

Free Online Resources

Several online portals provide free access to criminal record information:

New Mexico Courts Case Lookup
- Accessible at https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov
- Provides free access to basic case information
- Includes criminal cases from all courts in Bernalillo County
- No registration or fees required for basic searches
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Website
- Accessible at https://metro.nmcourts.gov
- Free access to misdemeanor and traffic case information
- Includes hearing schedules and case status
- No registration or fees required
Bernalillo County Detention Center Inmate Lookup
- Free access to current inmate information
- Includes booking information and charges
- Updated daily
- No registration or fees required
New Mexico Sex Offender Registry
- Free public access to registered sex offender information
- Searchable by name, address, or geographic area
- No registration or fees required

It is important to note that while basic record searches are free, comprehensive criminal history reports from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety do require payment of statutory fees. Additionally, certified copies of court documents, extensive record searches, and expedited services may incur fees as established by state law and court administrative orders.

What's Included in a Bernalillo County Criminal Record?

A comprehensive criminal record in Bernalillo County typically contains multiple categories of information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content and structure of these records adhere to standards established by the Law Enforcement Records Bureau of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Charges filed at arrest
Bail/bond amount
Detention facility information
Arresting officer information
Incident report numbers

Court Case Information:

Case number
Court of jurisdiction (Metropolitan Court or District Court)
Filing date
Charges filed by prosecutor
Statutory citations
Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Plea information
Attorney of record
Judge assigned to case
Pre-trial release conditions

Disposition Information:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
Conviction date
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
Appeal information
Probation/parole status
Compliance with court orders

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective orders
Sex offender registration status
DWI/DUI history
Traffic violations
Pending charges
Probation violations
Prior criminal history

The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary depending on the source. Records obtained directly from the Second Judicial District Court or Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court typically contain detailed case information, while records from law enforcement agencies may focus more on arrest data. The most complete criminal history information is maintained by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, which serves as the central repository for criminal records statewide.

Certain information may be redacted from publicly available records to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or confidential informant information, in accordance with state law and court rules.

How Long Does Bernalillo County Keep Criminal Records?

Bernalillo County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the New Mexico Commission of Public Records under the authority of the Public Records Act §14-3-1 NMSA. These schedules dictate how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.

Court Records Retention:

The Second Judicial District Court and Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court maintain records according to the following general guidelines:

Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained for serious felonies (murder, sexual assault); 25 years after case closure for other felonies
Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure
Traffic Violations: 3-5 years after case closure
Domestic Violence Cases: 10 years after case closure
DWI/DUI Cases: 25 years after case closure
Probation Records: 10 years after completion of probation
Court Dockets and Indexes: Permanently maintained
Search and Arrest Warrants: 10 years after execution or expiration

Law Enforcement Records Retention:

The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and Albuquerque Police Department maintain records according to these general guidelines:

Arrest Reports: 10 years for misdemeanors; 25 years for felonies
Incident Reports: 5 years for non-criminal; 10 years for criminal incidents
Investigation Files: 25 years for solved cases; permanently for unsolved homicides and sexual assaults
Booking Photos and Fingerprints: Permanently maintained
911 Calls and Dispatch Records: 3 years
Body Camera Footage: Minimum of 120 days; longer for footage related to ongoing cases

Department of Public Safety Records:

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety maintains criminal history records according to these guidelines:

Criminal History Records: Permanently maintained in the central repository
Sex Offender Registration Information: Maintained for the duration of registration requirement, which may be 10 years to lifetime
Concealed Carry Permit Records: 5 years after expiration
Fingerprint Cards: Permanently maintained

It is important to note that while records may be scheduled for destruction after their retention period expires, many criminal records are now maintained electronically and may be preserved indefinitely. Additionally, records related to certain serious offenses, such as homicide, sexual assault, and crimes against children, are typically maintained permanently.

The retention of criminal records does not necessarily affect their public accessibility. Even within the retention period, some records may be sealed or expunged by court order, making them inaccessible to the public despite being maintained by the agency.

Lookup Criminal Records in Bernalillo County

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Case Lookup

Second Judicial District Court Records

New Mexico Background Check Services

Law Enforcement Records Bureau

New Mexico Public Records Request Portal

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