Aurora Criminal Court Records Search Guide
Aurora criminal court records are filed in multiple counties. The city spans Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. Criminal cases go to the county court where the offense occurred. Municipal courts do not handle criminal cases. This follows Colorado state law.
Most Aurora criminal cases go to Arapahoe County Court. Some cases go to Adams County Court. A small portion may go to Douglas County Court. You need to know where the crime happened. This tells you which court has the records.
Aurora Quick Facts
Where Aurora Criminal Cases Are Filed
Aurora criminal cases go to different county courts. The location depends on where the offense occurred. Most of Aurora is in Arapahoe County. Cases from this area go to the Arapahoe County Justice Center. The address is 7325 South Potomac Street in Centennial.
Parts of Aurora are in Adams County. Cases from these areas go to Adams County Court. The courthouse is in Brighton. The address is 1100 Judicial Center Drive. Both counties handle felonies and misdemeanors. They keep separate criminal court records.
A small portion of Aurora extends into Douglas County. Cases from this area go to Douglas County Court. The courthouse is in Castle Rock. Most Aurora residents will use Arapahoe or Adams County courts. Check your address to know which county you are in.
| Arapahoe County Justice Center |
7325 South Potomac Street Centennial, CO 80112 Phone: (303) 649-6355 Email: 18records@judicial.state.co.us |
|---|---|
| Adams County Courthouse |
1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, CO 80601 Phone: (303) 659-1161 |
| Douglas County Courthouse |
4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 Phone: (303) 663-7200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Note: Aurora Municipal Court does not handle criminal cases under Colorado law.
Aurora Municipal Court Does Not Handle Criminal Cases
Aurora has a municipal court. It does not handle criminal cases. Municipal courts only hear city ordinance violations. These are civil matters. They include minor code infractions. Examples are noise complaints and zoning violations. Criminal charges go to county courts instead.
This is true for all cities in Colorado. State law gives county courts exclusive power over criminal cases. Municipal courts have limited jurisdiction. They cannot hear felonies or misdemeanors. This distinction is important. It helps you find the right court for records.
The Aurora Municipal Court is at 14998 East Alameda Parkway. This court handles traffic tickets and city code violations. It does not keep criminal court records. For criminal matters, you must contact the appropriate county court. Check which county the offense occurred in.
How to Search Aurora Criminal Court Records
You can search Aurora criminal court records online. CoCourts covers all three counties. You can search Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. The database has records from 1975. You can search by name or case number. Visit cocourts.com to start.
The Colorado Judicial Branch offers a free docket search. It covers all Colorado courts. You can search by party name or case number. The tool shows basic case details. It is a good starting point. Access it at coloradojudicial.gov/dockets.
In-person visits let you see full case files. Go to the courthouse that handled the case. Bring valid photo ID. Staff can help you find records. Copy fees apply. Certified copies cost more. This is best for detailed research.
To search Aurora criminal court records, gather this information:
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number if available
- Year the case was filed
- Which county the offense occurred in
Arapahoe County Court Records for Aurora
Most Aurora criminal cases go to Arapahoe County Court. This is the primary county for the city. The Arapahoe County Justice Center is in Centennial. It handles both District and County Court cases. District Court hears felonies. County Court handles misdemeanors.
The Justice Center is at 7325 South Potomac Street. Phone number is (303) 649-6355. Hours are 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The email for records is 18records@judicial.state.co.us. You can request copies by email or in person. Fees apply for copies.
Arapahoe County records date back to 1986 for County Court. District Court records go back to 1982. You can search online through CoCourts. In-person searches let you see full files. The clerk can help locate older records. Bring ID when you visit.
Adams County Court Records for Aurora
Parts of Aurora are in Adams County. Criminal cases from these areas go to Adams County Court. The courthouse is in Brighton. The address is 1100 Judicial Center Drive. Phone number is (303) 659-1161. Both District and County courts are at this location.
Adams County Court records date back to 1990. District Court records go back to 1975. You can search online through CoCourts. The system covers both courts. You can also search in person at the courthouse. Staff can help you find case files.
The 17th Judicial District serves Adams County. This district also includes Broomfield County. Aurora cases in this county go to Brighton. The drive from Aurora takes about 30 minutes. Plan ahead for your visit. Call ahead to confirm record availability.
Note: Adams County and Arapahoe County have different record request procedures and fees.
Colorado State Resources for Criminal Records
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers statewide criminal history checks. These show arrests and convictions. They cover all counties where Aurora cases may be filed. The Internet Criminal History Check costs $6 per search. Visit cbirecordscheck.com to start.
Under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, most criminal court records are public. This applies to all three counties Aurora spans. The law balances public access with privacy needs. Some records may be sealed. Juvenile records have special protection.
The Colorado Judicial Branch website has forms and guides. It explains court procedures. It also lists all court locations. This helps you navigate the multi-county system in Aurora. Visit coloradojudicial.gov for more information.
Aurora County Criminal Court Records
Aurora spans three counties. Criminal cases go to the county where the offense occurred. Most cases go to Arapahoe County. Some go to Adams County. A few may go to Douglas County. You need to know which county to search.
For more on each county court system, visit the county pages. They have full fee lists and related records. You can find additional resources there. Each county page explains the court structure in detail.
Counties Near Aurora
Aurora is near several counties. Cases may cross county lines. Each keeps separate criminal court records. You may need to search multiple areas.