Thornton Criminal Court Records Search

Thornton criminal court records are filed in two counties. The city spans Adams and Weld 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 Thornton criminal cases go to Adams County Court. Parts of the city are in Weld County. Cases from those areas go to Weld County Court. You need to know where the crime happened. This tells you which court has the records.

Where Thornton Criminal Cases Are Filed

Thornton criminal cases go to different county courts. Most of the city is in Adams County. Cases from this area go to the Adams County courthouse. The address is 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton. The 17th Judicial District serves this area.

Parts of Thornton are in Weld County. Cases from these areas go to Weld County Court. The courthouse is in Greeley. The address is 901 9th Street. The 19th Judicial District serves this area. Both counties handle felonies and misdemeanors.

Check your address to know which county you are in. This determines where to search for records. Most Thornton residents use Adams County Court. Some use Weld County Court. The distinction is important for your search.

Note: Thornton Municipal Court does not handle criminal cases under Colorado law.

Thornton Municipal Court Does Not Handle Criminal Cases

Thornton 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. 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 matters for finding records.

The Thornton Municipal Court handles traffic tickets. It also hears code enforcement cases. These create municipal records. But they are not criminal court records. For criminal matters, contact the appropriate county court. Check which county the offense occurred in.

How to Search Thornton Criminal Court Records

You can search Thornton criminal court records online. CoCourts covers both Adams and Weld counties. You can search both from one site. Adams County records go back to 1990. Weld County records go back to 1990 for County Court. District Court records go back to 1975. 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. 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.

To search Thornton 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

Adams County Court Records for Thornton

Most Thornton criminal cases go to Adams County Court. This is the primary county for the city. The Adams County 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. District Court handles felony cases. County Court handles misdemeanors. Records date back to 1990 for County Court. District Court records go back to 1975.

The 17th Judicial District serves Adams County. This district also includes Broomfield County. The courthouse is about 20 minutes from Thornton. Plan ahead for your visit. Call ahead to confirm record availability.

Weld County Court Records for Thornton

Parts of Thornton are in Weld County. Criminal cases from these areas go to Weld County Court. The courthouse is in Greeley. The address is 901 9th Street. Phone number is (970) 351-7300.

The Weld County Courthouse houses both courts. District Court hears felony cases. County Court handles misdemeanors. County Court records date back to 1990. District Court records go back to 1975.

The 19th Judicial District serves Weld County. The courthouse is about 45 minutes from Thornton. Parking is free in the lot behind the building. The drive is longer than to Brighton. Make sure you need Weld County records before making the trip.

Note: Weld County and Adams County have different record request procedures and fee schedules.

Colorado State Resources for Criminal Records

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers criminal history checks. These show arrests and convictions statewide. They cover both counties where Thornton cases may be filed. The Internet Criminal History Check costs $6. Visit cbirecordscheck.com to search.

Under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, most criminal court records are public. This applies to both Adams and Weld counties. 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. Visit coloradojudicial.gov for more information.

Sealing Criminal Records in Thornton Cases

Colorado law allows some criminal records to be sealed. This hides them from public view. Sealed records do not show in most background checks. The process requires court approval. You must file a petition in the county that handled the case.

Dismissed cases may be sealed right away. Acquittals qualify too. Some convictions become eligible after waiting periods. Misdemeanors need less time than felonies. Certain crimes can never be sealed. Violent offenses and sex crimes stay public.

The sealing process starts with a petition. File it in the court that handled your case. The District Attorney gets notice. They can object to sealing. A hearing may be set. The judge decides whether to grant it. If approved, an order goes to all agencies. They must seal their records.

Thornton County Criminal Court Records

Thornton spans two counties. Criminal cases go to the county where the offense occurred. Most cases go to Adams County. Some go to Weld 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 Thornton

Thornton is near several counties. Cases may cross county lines. Each keeps separate criminal court records. You may need to search multiple areas.