Criminal records in Sandoval County, New Mexico, are available through several channels. SandovalCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through state official court portals, county law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. Detailed instructions for each method of searching and obtaining documents are provided below.
How to Search Criminal Records in Sandoval
Start by determining what specific information you are looking for — a court case, inmate data, or a full criminal history check. Each type of record has its own access channel.
Online Search
- SandovalCourt.us — enter a name or case number to find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- New Mexico Courts Case Lookup — a statewide portal covering district and magistrate courts. Select "Sandoval" from the list of locations, then enter the defendant's name or case number.
- Odyssey Public Access — an alternative portal for searching court records. Note: if you have an active warrant, the system may display a corresponding warning.
- Inmate Search — Sandoval County Detention Center publishes a daily updated list of inmates in PDF format.
- NMCD Offender Search — if the person is under the jurisdiction of the state corrections department, a search is available by name or NMCD number.
In Person
Visit the Sandoval County District Court, which is part of the Thirteenth Judicial District. Public access terminals in the courthouse allow you to view cases on-site. The county clerk's office also provides access to public records.
Written Request
According to the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), every person has the right to inspect public records held by Sandoval County. Submit a public records request through the official form on the county's website. For a complete criminal history with fingerprints, contact the Law Enforcement Records Bureau at the NM Department of Public Safety.
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Court case number
- NMCD number (for offender search)
Search Sandoval Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each case in the New Mexico court system is assigned a unique number consisting of several parts. Understanding the format will help you quickly find the desired record.
The typical format of a district court case number is: D-1329-CR-2024-00123.
- D — type of court (D = District Court, M = Magistrate Court)
- 1329 — court code (13 = Thirteenth Judicial District, 29 = Sandoval County division)
- CR — case category (CR = criminal, LR = limited criminal jurisdiction)
- 2024 — year of filing
- 00123 — sequential case number
Magistrate cases have a similar structure but start with the letter "M". Enter the full number into the Case Lookup portal to gain instant access to case details — without needing to specify the defendant's name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Sandoval
Court records contain several key elements. Here is what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the NMSA (e.g., §30-16-1 — robbery) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during the proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — the case is resolved (verdict issued, closed, or dismissed)
- Closed — all obligations fulfilled, the case is fully closed
Types of Hearings
Depending on the stage of proceedings, the case goes through various hearings:
- Arraignment — the first court session where charges are read to the accused
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussion of procedural issues before the main hearing
- Sentencing — issuing a sentence after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with sentence conditions (probation, etc.)
The district court hearing schedule is available on the Sandoval County District Court Docket page, and the magistrate court schedule is on the Magistrate Court Docket page.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue charges |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
| Deferred Sentence | Sentence deferred under certain conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Sandoval
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with a court or relevant authority's seal, accepted by other institutions as legally valid.
Court Records
Contact the Sandoval County District Court clerk's office. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Provide the full name of the party, case number (if known), and the type of document you need.
To access documents through the re:SearchNM system, register on the court public records portal.
Criminal History (Fingerprint-Based Check)
A complete criminal history check is maintained by the State Central Repository at the NM Department of Public Safety. The process requires electronic fingerprinting. Detailed information is available on the Fingerprinting and Background Checks page.
What you need to submit a request:
- Valid photo ID
- Full name and date of birth of the person being queried
- Case number (preferable but not mandatory for court records)
- Payment of applicable fees
County Records (IPRA)
Submit a request through the public records request form on the Sandoval County website. The law guarantees the right to free inspection of records, but fees may apply for copies.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Sandoval
Fees depend on the type of record and the providing agency. Below are estimated rates set according to New Mexico law.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 | NM Court Rules |
| Document certification | $1.50 per document | NM Court Rules |
| Criminal history check (fingerprints) | Depends on the type of check; typically $10–$44 | NM DPS |
| Public records inspection (IPRA) | Free | NMSA §14-2-9 |
| County records copies (per page) | Reasonable reproduction cost | NMSA §14-2-9 |
Processing Times
- Online search via court portal — instant
- Certified copy request (court) — usually 3–10 business days
- Criminal history check via DPS — from a few days to several weeks depending on the scope of the check
- IPRA request (county) — response within 15 calendar days with a possible one-time extension
Verify current fees directly with the court clerk's office or the relevant agency, as rates may change.