Westminster Criminal Records Search Guide

Westminster criminal records span two counties. The city sits in both Adams and Jefferson counties. Records may be with either county. It depends on where the arrest took place. Westminster has over 115,000 residents. It is one of the larger suburbs of Denver. The city has its own police force. The county sheriffs handle jail and court records. This guide shows you where to look for records.

Westminster Spans Two Counties

Finding Westminster criminal records means checking both counties. The city straddles the county line. The eastern part is in Adams County. The western part is in Jefferson County. Arrests in east Westminster go to Adams County. Arrests in west Westminster go to Jefferson County. You need to know which side of town the case started. This tells you which county holds the records.

Both counties have online tools. Both use different systems. Adams County uses a records portal. Jefferson County uses NextRequest. The Westminster Police Department works with both counties. They make arrests. They file reports. The county sheriffs run the jails. They keep inmate records. This two-county setup makes records work more complex. But it also gives you more ways to find what you need.

Adams County Records for Westminster

East Westminster cases go to Adams County. The Adams County Sheriff's Office keeps these records. Their office is in Brighton. The address is 332 N. 19th Ave. You can call them at 303-659-1161. The court uses the same number. Staff can help you find records. They can tell you how to get copies.

The Adams County Sheriff's Office runs an online records portal. You can access the Adams County Records Search from any device. The portal is free. It works at all hours. You can search for inmates. You can look up warrants. You can check crime stats. The site links to many tools. This is a good place to start for east Westminster cases.

The portal lists all search tools in one place. You can find the inmate lookup. You can check active warrants. You can view crime maps. The page also links to other county services. This makes research easy. You do not need to hunt for each tool. Everything is on one page for Adams County records.

Note: Some records may need a formal CORA request.

Jefferson County Records for Westminster

West Westminster cases go to Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office keeps these records. Their main office is in Golden. The address is 200 Jefferson County Parkway. The Records Unit handles public requests. They moved to a paperless system in 2024. Now they use NextRequest for all requests. This makes the process faster.

The Jefferson County Inmate Lookup is a key tool. It updates every 15 minutes. You can search by name. You can search by booking date. The tool shows current inmates only. You will see charges and bond amounts. You will see court dates. This helps track inmates in west Westminster cases. Call 303-271-5444 for the Inmate Information Hotline.

The Inmate Lookup is simple to use. Type a name and search. Results show right away. The system is free. It works on phones and computers. You can check from home. You can check from work. This is the fastest way to see if someone is in Jefferson County Jail. Note that juveniles are not in this system. They have more privacy protections.

Westminster Police Department

The Westminster Police Department serves the whole city. They patrol both sides of the county line. They make arrests. They write reports. They respond to calls. The police work with both county sheriffs. They book inmates into the right county jail. This depends on where the crime took place.

Westminster PD keeps its own records. These include incident reports. They include arrest reports. They include accident reports. Some of these go to the counties. Some stay with the city. You may need to check with the police for some records. Check with the county for others. It depends on the type of record you need.

City police records often cover the first response. They cover the initial report. County records cover booking and jail. They cover court cases. State records cover convictions. You may need records from all levels. Start with what you know. Ask the agency that made the arrest. They can point you to related records.

Colorado State Criminal Records Resources

State resources help when county records are not enough. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation keeps state-level data. This covers all counties. It includes arrests and convictions. You can request a full background check. This is useful for a complete record on Westminster cases.

Visit the Colorado Bureau of Investigation website for state records. The CBI offers the Internet Criminal History Check. This is an online search tool. You pay a fee for each search. Results come back fast. The system shows convictions. It shows arrests that led to charges. It does not show sealed records. The main records page is at cbi.colorado.gov/records-and-background-checks.

The CBI is the main state source. They collect data from all counties. This includes Westminster cases. Both Adams and Jefferson counties report to CBI. A state check covers both counties at once. This can save time. You do not need to search each county. One search covers the whole state. The CBI follows strict rules. They protect privacy. They only release public data.

The Colorado Sex Offender Registry is another state tool. You can search by name. You can search by location. The registry lists convicted sex offenders. It shows photos and addresses. It lists conviction details. Offenders must update their info. Failure to register is a crime. Schools and daycares often check this registry. Westminster residents can use it too.

Court records are at the state level too. The Colorado Court Dockets let you search cases. You can find criminal cases. You can find civil cases. The docket shows case numbers. It shows parties and hearing dates. Some records have document images. Others show basic info only. Westminster cases may be in different districts. Adams County is in the 17th Judicial District. Jefferson County is in the 1st Judicial District.

How to Request Westminster Criminal Records

You have options for getting records. Online searches work for recent data. They are fast and free. But they may not have everything. Older records may need a formal request. Here is how to get Westminster records.

First, try the online portals. Check the Adams County records portal. Check the Jefferson County Inmate Lookup. These give quick answers. They cover common needs. If you need more, move to the next step.

Second, call the right county. For east Westminster, call Adams County at 303-659-1161. For west Westminster, call Jefferson County at 303-271-5542. Staff can look up records. They can tell you if a record is public. They can tell you the cost for copies.

Third, file a formal request. Adams County uses CORA requests. Jefferson County uses NextRequest. Both are in writing. Describe what you want clearly. Give names, dates, and case numbers. The office has three days to respond. They may ask for more time. They may ask for payment.

For court records, contact the court clerk. Criminal cases are in district court. Adams County uses the 17th Judicial District. Jefferson County uses the 1st Judicial District. Court records include charges and sentences. They are separate from police records. You may need both.

Colorado Laws on Criminal Records

Two main laws govern criminal records in Colorado. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act is one. The Colorado Open Records Act is the other. The CCJRA covers police reports and jail data. It is in C.R.S. Section 24-72-301 et seq. CORA covers all other public records. It is in C.R.S. Section 24-72-201 et seq. Both laws apply to Westminster records.

The CCJRA says most criminal justice records are public. Some parts can be withheld. Witness names may be redacted. Personal data is protected. Agencies can charge fees. They cannot charge just to view records. You have a right to inspect public records for free. Both Adams and Jefferson counties follow these rules.

CORA applies to county offices broadly. Agencies must respond within three days. They can extend this for valid reasons. If they deny a request, they must cite the law. You can appeal to the district attorney. You can also go to court. Both counties have trained staff. They know the laws well. They work to balance access with privacy.

Related Counties for Westminster Records

Westminster sits on the line between two counties. You may need records from both. Each county has its own system. Each has its own tools. Know which county you need before you search. This saves time and effort.

Adams County is to the east. Jefferson County is to the west. The city of Westminster covers parts of both. Records are kept at the county level. Always check which side of the line your case falls on.