Denver County Arrest Records

According to Colorado Revised Statute § 16-3-102, peace officers are authorized to make arrests under the following circumstances:

• If a crime is witnessed by the officer
• When there is probable cause linking the individual to a committed offense
• In cases where the individual is the subject of an existing arrest warrant

When an individual is arrested, their movement is restricted, typically leading to confinement in a designated facility like the Denver City Jail. Here, the arrested person undergoes a series of procedures known as "booking," which includes:

• Searches
• Medical examination
• Mugshot and fingerprinting
• Background check to verify any prior criminal records

The information collected during the booking process forms an arrest record. The arresting agency initially compiles these records and then shares them with various law enforcement entities, including the judiciary. Arrest information may also be featured within Denver County court records as well as held by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The dissemination of arrest records allows for broader access through different channels based on the scope of information required, facilitating checks within the criminal justice system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Denver County?

Yes. Colorado Revised Statute §24-72-201 to 206 and Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) C.R.S. § 24-72-301 to 309 ensure that individuals who wish to inspect or copy a public record can do so at any reasonable time. Additionally, the statute mandates that the custodian of public records, including arrest records, efficiently distribute them to those requesting them.

However, according to C.R.S 24-72-204 and CRS §24-72-305.5, while arrest records are generally open to the public, certain documents are considered confidential or sealed, resulting in restricted or no access. Some examples of such records include those concerning juvenile arrests, records prohibited from public access by state law, and those whose disclosure would be contrary to the public interest due to their sensitive nature.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The arrest records in Denver County provide valuable information to various segments of society, including law enforcement personnel conducting investigations, individuals performing background checks, and journalists engaged in research. These records offer a range of essential details, such as:

• Subject Information:
  • The name of the arrested individual
  • Dates: including the date of birth, date of the arrest, and booking dates
• Legal Details:
  • Initial charges brought against the individual
  • Fingerprint and booking numbers
• Physical Description:
  • Personal attributes such as height, weight, and any distinguishable physical markings
• Law Enforcement Information:
  • The agency responsible for the arrest
  • Names of the peace officers involved in the apprehension
• Crime Details:
  • Location of the offense
  • Location of detention

Denver County Crime Rate

Based on the 2023 Colorado crime statistics, a total of 7,816 violent crimes, encompassing murder, non-consensual sex offenses, aggravated assault, and robbery, were reported. Notably, the county observed a decrease in the rate of violent crime compared to the previous year.

In terms of property crime, the department documented 1,258 cases of robbery, 4,968 burglary cases, 2,550 fraud cases, and 12,510 instances of motor theft, with larceny topping the list at 23,623 cases.

The statistics for 2022 indicate a total of 8,177 reported crimes, reflecting a 9.18% increase compared to the previous year. Property crimes in the same period included 1,305 robberies, 25,205 larceny cases, 5,126 burglary cases, 1,676 fraud cases, and 15,274 motor theft incidents.

In 2021, there were a total of 7,426 violent crimes reported, with 1,325 robbery cases, 24,497 cases of larceny, 5,712 burglaries, 4,646 fraud cases, and 12,790 instances of motor theft under property crime.

Denver County Arrest Statistics

In the 2023 arrest statistics released by Colorado, a total of 2,740 individuals were arrested for violent crimes, spanning all age groups and races, with 486 being females.

During 2022, Denver saw 2,733 arrests for violent crimes across all age groups, with 421 involving females. This marked an increase of 73 arrests from 2021, when 2,660 arrests were reported, including 428 females.

Find Denver County Arrest Records

Residents seeking Denver County arrest records should identify the agency responsible for the arrest, typically the police department or the Sheriff’s office. Arrest records can be requested online, by mail, or in person at the respective office.

In addition, requesters can use the inmate locator on the Sheriff’s web page to find individuals in custody. The inquirer would need to provide details such as the person’s name, booking number, race, facility, status, or CD Number.

Another option is accessing records through the Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) tool provided by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. This tool allows users to search for criminal records, including arrest records. It also allows users to access only Colorado’s criminal history record information (CHRI) through a name-based background check. Typically, all Colorado records can be accessed by the public, excluding records that are not considered public records by statute and law.

While the computerized criminal history database contains detailed information on arrests within the state, it is based on fingerprints provided by Colorado law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the database does not include information regarding warrants, and a fee of $6 is typically required to secure a record.

Members of the public can also request their arrest records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by submitting a request online, by mail, or through an approved vendor.

Free Arrest Record Search in Denver County

Typically, the Police Department or Office of the Sheriff in the county is the most convenient option for accessing arrest records at no charge, particularly for inspections lasting no more than 30 minutes. However, a fee would apply if the search requires more than 30 minutes of staff time and involves copying records.

Alternatively, individuals can explore third-party websites to access free arrest records. Many of these online platforms offer some level of free access, although creating an account or opting for a paid subscription may be necessary to access a broader range of arrest records. Generally, these websites are user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Get Denver County Criminal Records

A Denver criminal record typically includes records of a person's involvement in crime and interactions with the justice system, including arrest records and court verdicts related to the case.

Individuals seeking criminal records can start by contacting the courthouse that handled the case. They can visit the courthouse in person, send a mail request, or utilize the case management tool provided on the county's court website to search for the case. However, in-person visits can allow individuals to explore case documents that are open but not accessible online.

Residents can also access criminal records maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the central repository for criminal history arrest records in the state. This can be done online or via mail, with online searches being both more convenient and cost-effective. Mailed requests can be sent to the following address:

Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street
Suite 3000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Main: (303) 239-4201
Background Checks: (303) 239-4208

To conduct a criminal background check, individuals need to provide the subject's first and last name, date of birth, and optionally, the social security number.

Finally, citizens can conduct a personal criminal record check as was mentioned in the case of procuring an arrest record from the FBI. Requesters would need to provide fingerprints of all 10 fingers, including a signature on the fingerprint card, full name, and date of birth. The fee for the document is $18.

Denver County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While arrest records and criminal records are closely associated, they differ in the information they encompass. An arrest record primarily contains details about an individual's arrest history, whereas a criminal record includes the arrest record and court judgments.

It is important to note that an individual may have an arrest record without being found guilty, while those with criminal records have been found guilty of the crimes for which they were apprehended.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The duration for which an arrest stays on a person’s record is determined by various factors detailed in Colorado Revised Statute §24-72-704(2). Typically, an arrest record resulting in a criminal conviction that is not eligible for sealing or expungement remains permanently on the individual's record.

In Denver, arrest records are automatically expunged under certain conditions, such as when the retention period elapses without leading to a criminal conviction, no criminal charges are filed after completing a diversion agreement, and the statute of limitations for the crime has not expired even though the individual is no longer under investigation for the crime.

Expunge Denver County Arrest Records

To remove an arrest record from public access in Denver, the record bearer must seek to have the record sealed or expunged. It is important to note that sealing a record differs from expunging it. While both may restrict public access, sealed records may still be accessible to certain authorized individuals.

The responsibility for sealing or expunging arrest records lies with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. However, the applicant must file a petition to expunge the record with the court where the arrest or criminal record was filed. Various statutes govern the process of sealing arrest or criminal records, for example,

• C.R.S. 24-72-706: Sealing criminal conviction records
• C.R.S. 24-72-708: Sealing criminal records for municipal offenses
• C.R.S. 24-72-709: Sealing criminal records for multiple conviction records
• C.R.S. 24-72-710:Sealing criminal records for offenses that receive a full and unconditional pardon

Upon filing a petition, the court will review its sufficiency and, if found sufficient, fix a hearing date and inform all necessary parties. If no objection is raised seven days before the court date, an expungement order will be granted, and the record expunged. In case of a petition denial, the reason for the denial will be stated.

The fee to seal an arrest record is $20, with the CBI processing fee per court order being separate and not included in the $20 court fees.

Individuals seeking further clarification on obtaining a court order to seal an arrest or criminal record can contact the court where the criminal records were filed.

Denver County Arrest Warrants

In Denver County, an arrest warrant is a written directive issued by a court judge to a peace officer, mandating the arrest of the subject of the warrant. This process is governed by 16-3-108 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, which outlines the specific conditions for the issuance of an arrest warrant. According to this statute, a court can issue an arrest warrant only if there is reasonable cause to believe that an offense has been committed, there is probable cause that a particular person committed the offense, and an affidavit is sworn to or affirmed in front of a judge or a notary public. Upon the warrant's issuance, the subject is to be apprehended.

Usually, an arrest warrant contains the following details:

• The full name of the subject of the warrant
• Descriptive information such as age, height, etc.
• The name of the court and the issuing judge, along with the judge's signature
• Date of issuance
• Location of issuance
• Reason for the warrant

Denver County Arrest Warrant Search

Persons seeking to conduct a Denver arrest warrant search may visit the Sheriff’s office in the county or get in touch with the court that issued the warrant. Generally, arrest warrants may not be readily available on state and county-maintained online databases.

Do County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Denver arrest warrants remain in effect indefinitely until they are executed. This means that an arrest warrant remains valid until the individual surrenders voluntarily before a judge or is apprehended and brought to face the legal consequences of their actions. Unlike some warrants with expiration dates, Denver arrest warrants persist until they are resolved through lawful procedures.