Rio Arriba County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What Are Rio Arriba County Arrest Records?

A Rio Arriba County arrest record is an official document that provides a run-down of apprehensions made by law enforcement officers in the county after alleged involvement in criminal activities. Details contained in an individual’s arrest record include:

Suspect’s demographic information (name, gender, race, etcetera)
Alleged offense
Date and location of apprehension
Duration of detainment
Arresting officer details
Prior arrests and pending warrants

Under the Arrest Record Information Act (ARIA), records of juvenile and adult apprehensions made in Rio Arriba County are available to the public. Interested persons can obtain these records locally from the Sheriff’s Office by making in-person or in-mail requests to the department at;

1122 Industrial Park Road
Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: (575) 588-7271 (Tierra Amarilla)
Phone: (505) 753-3329 (Espanola)
Fax: (575) 588-7194 (Tierra Amarilla)
Fax: (505) 753-9812 (Espanola)

Note: The Espanola City Police Department also maintains citation reports of arrests made within its jurisdiction.

Crime Statistics

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety serves as the central repository of criminal information in the state. The department collects, maintains, analyzes, and reports crime incident activity generated by the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments and publishes them with those of other counties in the state. According to the 2019 crime summary, the Sheriff’s Office recorded five rapes, two robberies, and 124 assaults. Property crimes also consisted of 69 burglaries, 59 larceny thefts, and 13 motor vehicle thefts. Contrarily, the 2018 crime summary reveals that the Espanola Police and Sheriff’s Office in the county recorded a total of 737 crimes. The crime-by-crime data shows that there were two homicides, eight forcible rapes, 29 robberies, and 323 assaults. The statistics also show that there were 165 burglaries, 191 larceny thefts, and 19 motor vehicle thefts recorded within the same year.

What Are Rio Arriba County Criminal Records?

Rio Arriba County criminal records are government-generated documents that provide a comprehensive summary of an individual's criminal history within the county or state jurisdiction. These records contain information collated from local and state-operated law enforcement offices, courts, and correctional facilities. Therefore, information may include:

Personal profile (name, sex, race, and date of birth)
Arrest data (prior apprehensions and pending warrants)
Criminal offenses (misdemeanors and felonies)
Indictments, dispositions, and sentences
Incarceration data

The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for generating these criminal records. However, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety collects, maintains, and issues these records.

How Do I Get Rio Arriba County Criminal Records?

The central database maintained by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety is strictly accessible to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. However, members of the public can conduct indirectly through these agencies, for example, the Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Office. Individuals can request for "Criminal Background Reports” by contacting the office at;

1122 Industrial Park Road
Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: (575) 588-7271 (Tierra Amarilla)
Phone: (505) 753-3329 (Espanola)
Fax: (575) 588-7194 (Tierra Amarilla)
Fax: (505) 753-9812 (Espanola)

Note: Person’s with case number and offender details can also obtain conviction details from the court where individuals were tried and sentenced. However, offenders can expunge records of certain misdemeanor convictions.

How to Find Rio Arriba County Sex Offender Information?

After judge orders for convicted individuals to register as a sex offender, it is the responsibility of the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office to maintain a registry sex offenders who are schooling, working, and living within the county boundaries. Individuals can obtain offender listing, information, and register for email alerts by using the public index on the Sheriff Office website. Information provided includes full names, addresses, offense type, and current compliance status.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Rio Arriba County Jail?

The county Sheriff’s Office is in charge of managing all operations of the Rio Arriba Detention Center, which houses adult male and female offenders who are;

Awaiting trial
Currently undergoing trial
Found guilty and awaiting sentencing
Sentenced to county jail time
Violators of parole and probation rules
Awaiting transport to state prisons
Detained for the State Police, local Tribal Governments, and the U.S. Marshals Service

The jail administrator allows these inmates to have pre-scheduled on-site professional and simple visits from family, friends, and other persons with legitimate and tangible reasons. To schedule visits, individuals should call (575) 588-7350 on weekdays (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.. Individuals should then set an appointment based on the following visiting hours:

Male inmates: Tuesdays to Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Female inmates: Tuesdays to Saturdays
10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

The detention administrator or supervisor will deny visits of persons who are under the influence or deemed to be a threat to the safety of the center, staff, or inmates. Interested persons who wish to have a smooth visitation process should keep the facility’s visitation rules which include:

No weapons or contraband like cameras or cell phones on the premises
Visitors can only visit one inmate per day.
Individuals should schedule the visit at least 24 hours ahead.
The jail denies visiting privileges to persons who are under the influence of any mind-altering substance.
Inmates and refuses visits
Failed visits without notice may lead to suspension of visitation privilege.
Inappropriately dressing will lead to cancellation of the visit.
Visiting hours are subject to change.

Note: The visitation rules for professional visits are different from those of general visits.

Where and How to Find Rio Arriba County Inmate Information?

The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office website features an inmate search tool that interested persons can use to obtain information on past and current inmates of the Detention Center. Users will be required to input inmate and booking details like:

Inmate number
First, middle and last names
Gender and approximated age
Approximated booking date
Probable release date
Location of offense

What Are Rio Arriba County Court Records?

Rio Arriba County court records are any documents, files, and other information that is generated or maintained by a county court relating to judicial proceedings. Examples of these records include transcripts, minute entries, judgment, decrees, notices, dockets, and sworn statements maintained by the District, Magistrate, and Probate Courts within the county jurisdiction.

In Rio Arriba County, the County Clerk maintains court records that are available to the public, except when exempted from disclosure by law, court rule, or court order. Individuals can obtain public court records upon request to the appropriate court or county clerk office at;

Espanola Office:

Rio Arriba County Annex
1122 Industrial Park Road
Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: (505) 753-1780

Tierra Amarilla Office:

Rio Arriba Archive Building
10 State Road 531
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
Phone: (575) 588-7724

Individuals are often required to provide valid photo identification and administrative fees for record search, duplication, or certification.

Location of All Courts in Rio Arriba County

District Courts in Rio Arriba County

Rio Arriba County 1st Judicial District Court
Rio Arriba County Courthouse
7 Main Street,
P.O. Box 40
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
Phone: (575) 588-0058
Fax: (575) 588-9898

Magistrate Courts in Rio Arriba County

Rio Arriba County Magistrate Court – Chama Circuit
2332 Highway 17
P.O. Box 538
Chama, NM 87520
Phone: (575) 756-2278
Fax: (575) 756-2477

Rio Arriba County Magistrate Court – Division I and II
1127 Santa Clara Peak Road,
Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: (505) 753-2532
Fax: (505) 753-4802

Probate Courts in Rio Arriba County

Rio Arriba County Probate Court
1122 Industrial Park Road,
Espanola, NM 87575
Phone: (505) 753-2992

Municipal Courts in Rio Arriba County

Chama Municipal Court
299 Fourth Street,
P.O. Box 794
Chama, NM 87520
Phone: (575) 756-1019
Fax: (575) 756-1044

Espanola Municipal Court
1316 Calle Adelante, Suite D
Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: (575) 747-6033
Fax: (575) 747-6049

What Are Rio Arriba County Vital Records?

Rio Arriba County vital records are government-generated documents that provide information concerning life events like births, deaths, divorces, and marriages that happened to people within the county territory. These records have different depositories in the county and state. However, under state laws, most vital records are not available to the public. Examples include birth and death certificates maintained by the New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records. Qualified parties include persons who have direct or legal claims on the records including;

The adult registrant
The registrant’s parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians, or grandparents
The registrant’s current spouse
The registrant's siblings
The registrant’s direct descendants; (children, adopted children, and grandchildren)

Eligible requesters are often required to present valid photo identification, processing fees, and a brief description of the life event such as names of parties involved, date, and location of the event.

Where and How to Get Rio Arriba County Divorce Records?

Records of divorces and annulments that took place in Rio Arriba County are available at the District Court where the legal dissolution happened. However, these records are not public and restricted to parties with direct claims and legitimate interests such as the divorced parties, parents/legal guardians, direct descendants, and those with court disclosure orders. Qualified persons can obtain these records by contacting the district court at;

Rio Arriba County 1st Judicial District Court
Rio Arriba County Courthouse
7 Main Street,
P.O. Box 40
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
Phone: (575) 588-0058
Fax: (575) 588-9898

Individuals can also send requests and valid identification (or photocopy) in person or via mail to the Rio Arriba County Clerk at;

Tierra Amarilla Office:
Rio Arriba Archive Building
10 State Road 531
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
Phone: (575) 588-7724

Requests should include the full names of the divorced party and the approximated date of divorce. The clerk may charge requesters for the record search and duplication.

Where and How to Get Rio Arriba County Marriage Records?

Copies of marriage licenses are obtainable from Rio Arriba County Clerk where the marriage license was issued. However, these records are not public and restricted to parties with direct claims and legitimate interests such as the married couple, parents/legal guardians, and direct descendants (including adopted children). Qualified persons can obtain these records by sending requests and valid identification (or photocopy) in person or via mail to the appropriate County Clerk at;

Espanola Office:

Rio Arriba County Annex
1122 Industrial Park Road
Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: (505) 753-1780

Tierra Amarilla Office:

Rio Arriba Archive Building
10 State Road 531
Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575
Phone: (575) 588-7724

Requests should include the names of the married couple, the bride's maiden name, approximated date of marriage, and location of the marriage. The clerk may charge requesters for the record search and duplication.

Where and How to Get Rio Arriba County Birth Records?

Records of births that took place in Rio Arriba County are available at New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records at $10 per copy. However, these records are restricted to parties with direct claims and legitimate interests until 100 years after birth. Eligible parties include the registrants, parents/legal guardians, siblings, spouses, and direct descendants (including adopted children). Individuals can obtain these records by sending filled search application forms with identification information and required fees via mail to;

New Mexico Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125

Required information includes the registrant’s full name at birth, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, and place of birth.

Where and How to Get Rio Arriba County Death Records?

Records of deaths that took place in Rio Arriba County are available at New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records at $5 per copy. However, these records are restricted to parties with direct claims and legitimate interests until 50 years after the death. Eligible parties include the deceased’s parents/legal guardians, siblings, spouses, grandparents, and direct descendants (including adopted children). Individuals can obtain these records by sending filled search application forms with identification information and required fees via mail to;

New Mexico Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
P.O. Box 25767
Albuquerque, NM 87125

Required information includes the deceased’s full name, gender, date of birth, social security number, date of death, and place of death.

In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.