Criminal records in Valencia County, New Mexico, are available through several channels. ValenciaCourt.us allows you to search for public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court portals, county law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office — in person, by mail, or online. Each method is described in detail below.
How to Search Criminal Records in Valencia
There are several ways to find criminal records in this county. Here are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Through ValenciaCourt.us
- Go to ValenciaCourt.us.
- Enter the person's full first and last name (in English).
- If available, provide the date of birth or case number for more accurate results.
- Review the found criminal case records.
Online through Official Portals
The New Mexico court system provides several public access tools:
- Case Lookup — the state's case search portal allows searches by name or case number. It displays cases from the District Court and Magistrate Court of Valencia County.
- Public Access — the New Mexico Courts public access portal contains information on cases in the Valencia County Magistrate Court: Los Lunas.
- re:SearchNM — a program available through the New Mexico Courts public records section, provides registered users access to Odyssey court system documents.
- Hearing Schedule — the district court docket board shows hearings for the current day plus six days ahead.
To search for inmates in state correctional facilities, use the Offender Search of the New Mexico Corrections Department. Note: this tool does not cover county jails.
In Person
The Valencia County District Court Clerk's Office accepts visitors at the courthouse in Los Lunas. You can use public access terminals there or ask a clerk to find the case you need. The Magistrate Court is also located in Los Lunas — information about it is available on the Thirteenth Judicial District website.
By Mail or Written Request
A request for a criminal history can be sent to:
- District Court Clerk's Office — a written request specifying the person's name, date of birth, and case number (if available).
- NM Department of Public Safety — the state's central criminal history repository maintains information on felony arrests. More about the procedure is on the Law Enforcement Records Bureau page.
The county also accepts public records requests under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) through the IPRA online form.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full first and last name
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number, if known
Search Valencia Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number in New Mexico is the fastest way to a specific record. The format usually looks like this:
D-1329-CR-2024-00123
- D — type of court (D = District Court, M = Magistrate Court)
- 1329 — court code. For the Valencia County District Court in the Thirteenth Judicial District, it's 1329.
- CR — case category. CR means criminal case. Other codes: LR (lesser offenses), DV (domestic violence), DWI.
- 2024 — year the case was filed.
- 00123 — sequential case number for that year.
Enter the full number in the search field on the state's Case Lookup portal. The system will return an exact result without the need to filter by name. If you don't know the court code, try searching by name — the portal will show all cases across all state courts.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Valencia
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the NMSA (New Mexico Statutes Annotated), for example, § 30-16-1 — robbery |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), Petty Misdemeanor (minor offense) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more serious one — this is reflected as an amended charge |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedures are complete, including the execution of the sentence
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial Conference — a meeting of the parties before the trial to discuss agreements or procedural issues
- Sentencing — the imposition of a penalty after a guilty plea or verdict
- Review Hearing — checking the fulfillment of probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict — usually at the prosecutor's initiative or by court decision |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
| Deferred Sentence | Sentence deferred on conditions of meeting certain requirements; if met, the charge may be dismissed |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Valencia
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, immigration, licensing. Here's where to apply.
District Court Clerk
The Valencia County District Court Clerk's Office issues certified copies of court documents — indictments, judgments, orders. Apply in person or send a written request by mail.
For the request, specify: the defendant's full name, case number (if known), type of document needed. Present a valid photo ID.
Request Criminal History through DPS
A full criminal history check (background check) is conducted by the NM Department of Public Safety. The procedure requires fingerprinting. Fingerprints can be submitted at authorized locations throughout the state.
Request through IPRA
To obtain records from county agencies (sheriff, jail), submit a request under the Inspection of Public Records Act. The judicial branch has a separate IPRA portal for court records, where you can select Valencia County District Court or Magistrate Court.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Valencia
Exact amounts are set according to the rules of the New Mexico Supreme Court and orders of individual courts. Below are typical fees.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (not certified) | $0.50 per page | Set by NM court rules |
| Certification of copy | $1.50 per document | In addition to the copying cost |
| Criminal history check (DPS background check) | Depends on the type of check | Contact the Law Enforcement Records Bureau for current rates |
| Search through Case Lookup portal | Free | Online case information viewing |
Processing Times
- Online search — results are immediate.
- Certified copies from the court clerk — usually from 3 to 10 business days for in-person requests; by mail may take longer.
- Criminal history check through DPS — times depend on the request volume and fingerprint submission method. Electronic fingerprinting speeds up the process.
- IPRA requests — by law, the agency must respond within 15 business days, with a one-time extension possible.
Payment is usually accepted by check, money order, or cash for in-person requests. Confirm acceptable payment methods directly with the court clerk's office before visiting.