Jefferson County Criminal Records Search

Jefferson County criminal records are open to the public by law. The Sheriff's Office keeps these records. They run the jail. They process arrests. They maintain criminal justice records for the county. Jefferson County sits just west of Denver. It has over 580,000 residents. The Sheriff's Office serves them all. Records here include arrest reports, booking data, and case reports. State law makes most records available to anyone who asks.

The Records Unit handles public requests. They moved to a paperless system in September 2024. Now they use NextRequest for all requests. This makes the process faster. It also helps track requests better. You can still visit in person. The main office is in Golden. Staff can help you find what you need. They follow Colorado's open records laws closely. This guide shows how to access these records step by step.

Jefferson County Inmate Lookup

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office runs an online inmate lookup tool. You can find it on their website. The tool is free to use. It updates every 15 minutes. This keeps the data fresh. You can search by name. You can also search by booking date. The system shows current inmates only. Former inmates are not in this tool. You must contact the Records Unit for older data.

Access the Jefferson County Inmate Lookup to search for current inmates. The results show charges. They show bond amounts. They show court dates too. This helps families track loved ones. It helps lawyers check client status. It helps victims know if someone is still in custody. The tool is simple to use. Just type a name and hit search.

Note that inmates under 18 are not searchable in this system. Juvenile records have more protections. The Inmate Information Hotline is 303-271-5444. Call this number for help. Staff can answer questions. They can guide you to the right resources. The lookup tool is the fastest way to check if someone is in the Jefferson County Jail right now.

Jefferson County Criminal Justice Records

The Sheriff's Office processes all criminal justice records in Jefferson County. They maintain them. They archive them. They retrieve them when needed. They release them to the public. All requests now go through NextRequest. This change took effect on September 23, 2024. The paperless system is faster. It is more secure. It creates a record of all requests.

Visit the Criminal Justice Records page to learn more about the process. You can start a request from there. The system guides you through each step. You will need to create an account. This lets you track your request. You will get updates by email. The Records Unit will process your request. They follow Colorado law on fees and timing.

The Records Unit does not handle everything. They do not have court records. Those are at the courthouse. They do not handle probation or parole records. Those are with the state. They do not process vehicle accident reports. They do not have vital records like birth or death certificates. Other Jefferson County agencies have their own records too. Make sure you ask the right office for what you need.

Jefferson County Records Fees

Fees for criminal records follow state law. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act sets the rules. It is in C.R.S. Section 24-72-306(1). All requests have a $3.00 processing fee. This applies even if no records are found. The fee covers basic handling. Agencies can also charge for personnel time. They can charge for equipment use. They can charge for materials. These costs must be reasonable.

If your request is denied, you pay nothing. The law is clear on this. Some requests need a deposit first. The Records Unit will tell you if this applies. Medical records from VitalCore cost more. The fee is $17.50 plus $0.58 per page. This applies to the first 250 pages. After that, costs may change. Always check current fees before you submit a request. The Criminal Justice Records page has the latest fee schedule.

You can pay online through NextRequest. This is the easiest way. You can also pay in person. The office takes Visa and Mastercard. They take checks and money orders. They take cash too. But coins are limited to $3.00. Most services need pre-payment. Have your payment ready. This speeds up the process. Keep your receipt for your records.

Jefferson County Arrest Records

Arrest records are available through the Sheriff's Office. You must submit an application. You must pay the fee. Then they will process your request. All arrest record requests use the NextRequest platform. This applies to current and past arrests. The system is the same for all criminal justice records.

The Arrest Records page explains how to make your request. It has a link to NextRequest. It lists what information you need. It explains the fees. The page also notes that accommodations are available. If you need help accessing the system, contact the Records Unit. They can provide other options. Hard copies cost extra. The fee covers printing and handling. Digital copies may cost less. Ask about format options when you submit your request.

Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody. They show the charges at the time of arrest. They show the arresting officer. They show the date and location. These records are public in most cases. Some details may be redacted. This protects sensitive information. It protects ongoing investigations. The Records Unit follows the law on what to release.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Contact

The Records Unit is your main contact for criminal records. They are at 200 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. The zip code is 80401. This is the North Precinct building. You can visit in person. You can call with questions. You can use the online portal. Each method works for different needs.

Phone numbers vary by department. The Records Unit is at 303-271-5542. Animal Control uses 303-271-5070. The Civil Unit is at 303-271-6580. The Jail is at 303-271-5444. The Warrants line is 303-271-6475. Hearing impaired callers can use TTY at 303-980-7335. Have your case details ready when you call. This helps staff find your records faster.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. This is for admin and walk-in visits. The jail lobby stays open longer. It is open seven days a week. Hours are 8am to 9pm daily. Plan your visit accordingly. Peak times may mean longer waits. Early mornings are often quieter. The Sheriff's Office has three precincts. The North Precinct shares space with Records in Golden. The Mountain Precinct is at 4990 Highway 73 in Evergreen. The South Precinct is at 11139 Bradford Road in Littleton. Most record requests go to the Golden office.

Other Jefferson County Online Portals

The Sheriff's Office runs several online tools. These help you find different types of records. You can access them from home. They are free to use. Each portal serves a different purpose. Knowing which one to use saves time.

The Case Reports portal lets you request specific case reports. This is different from the general records request. It is for specific incident reports. The Online Services page lists all digital tools. It links to various county services. The Services page has a broader list. It includes both online and in-person options. Check these pages before calling. You may find your answer faster online.

Colorado State Criminal Records Resources

State resources can 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 search.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers several services. Their Internet Criminal History Check System is online. It costs a fee per search. Results come back quickly. The system shows convictions. It shows arrests that led to charges. It does not show sealed records. It does not show federal crimes. Visit their website to start a search.

The Colorado Sex Offender Registry is another state tool. You can search by name or location. The registry lists convicted sex offenders. It shows photos and addresses. It lists conviction details. Offenders must update their information. Failure to register is a crime. Use this tool to check your neighborhood. Schools and daycares often check this registry.

Court records are at the state level too. The Colorado Court Dockets let you search cases statewide. You can find criminal cases. You can find civil cases too. The docket shows case numbers. It shows parties and hearing dates. Some records have document images. Others show basic info only. Each district posts different amounts online. Jefferson County is in the 1st Judicial District. Check their pages for local court records.

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 through 309. CORA covers all other public records. It starts at C.R.S. Section 24-72-201. Both laws apply to Jefferson County.

The CCJRA says most criminal justice records are public. But some parts can be withheld. Witness names may be redacted in open cases. Personal data like Social Security numbers is protected. Agencies can charge fees. They cannot charge just to view records. You have a right to inspect public records for free. Jefferson County follows these rules. They train staff on proper release.

CORA applies to county offices broadly. Agencies must respond within three days. They can extend this for good reason. If they deny a request, they must cite the law. You can appeal to the district attorney. You can also go to court. The Sheriff's Office uses NextRequest to manage this process. It tracks timelines. It creates a paper trail. This helps everyone follow the law.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has many cities and towns. The largest is Lakewood. Arvada and Westminster are also large. These cities have their own police departments. They keep their own arrest records. The Sheriff's Office handles unincorporated areas. They also handle smaller towns. Know which agency made the arrest. This tells you where to look for records.

Other communities include Wheat Ridge, Littleton, and Edgewater. Evergreen and Conifer are in the mountains. Each may have different record systems. Check with the local police for city matters. Use the Sheriff's Office for county areas.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County borders several other counties. Records are kept at the county level. If you need records from another area, check that county. Here are the neighbors of Jefferson County.