Arapahoe County Criminal Court Records Search

Criminal court records in Arapahoe County are kept at the Justice Center in Centennial and the courthouse in Littleton. This county sits within the 18th Judicial District of Colorado. Over 655,000 people call Arapahoe County home. It ranks as the third most populated county in the state. Both district and county courts in Arapahoe County hear criminal cases. The district court handles felonies and serious matters. County courts manage misdemeanors, traffic cases, and felony complaints.

Arapahoe County Criminal Court Locations

Arapahoe County has two main court locations that handle criminal matters. The Justice Center sits in Centennial at 7325 S. Potomac Street. This is the primary location for most criminal court proceedings in Arapahoe County. The phone number is (303) 649-6355. Staff are ready to help you find case information and process record requests.

The courthouse in Littleton is the second location. It stands at 1790 W. Littleton Blvd. Small claims petitions must be filed at this Littleton location. Both courthouses follow the same hours of operation. They open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both courts in Arapahoe County close on state holidays.

Criminal cases in Arapahoe County may be heard at either location. This depends on the case type and court assignment. District Court handles felony criminal cases. County Court manages misdemeanor charges and traffic offenses. Call ahead to confirm which courthouse holds your specific case file. This will save you time when seeking criminal case information in Arapahoe County.

Note: Saturday bond hearings are held at 1:30 p.m. for those needing weekend court access in Arapahoe County.

How to Search Criminal Court Records

You can search for criminal court records in Arapahoe County through several methods. The approach you choose depends on what you need. Online tools work well for basic case lookups. In-person visits let you view full files and get copies right away. Both options give you access to records going back decades in Arapahoe County.

The Colorado Judicial Branch offers a free statewide docket search tool. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The tool covers both county and district courts in Arapahoe County. Visit coloradojudicial.gov/dockets to start your search. You will need at least one filter plus a date range to run a search. Results show hearing dates, case numbers, and party names.

CoCourts.com provides another way to search criminal cases in Arapahoe County. This third-party service offers real-time access to court data. CoCourts coverage includes county court records from 1986. District court records go back to 1982. Visit cocourts.com to search by name. Searches cost $5 for the county or $10 for statewide results.

To search criminal court records in Arapahoe County, gather this information first:

• Full name of the defendant
• Case number if you have it
• Year the case was filed
• Court type (county or district)

In-person searches at the courthouse let you see complete case files. Staff in Arapahoe County can help you locate older records that may not be online. Bring valid photo ID when you visit. The clerk can pull files and make copies for you. Case files in Arapahoe County include charges, motions, and dispositions.

Requesting Copies of Criminal Court Records

The Clerk of Court maintains all criminal court records in Arapahoe County. You can request copies in person or by email. The records request email is 18records@judicial.state.co.us. Staff will process your request and notify you when records are ready.

Fees apply for copies of court records in Arapahoe County. Electronic copies cost $0.25 per page. Paper copies cost $0.75 per page. A transcript of judgment costs a flat fee of $25. These fees help cover the cost of staff time and materials. Payment is due when you pick up your records.

Under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, most criminal court records are public. This means anyone in Arapahoe County can request to view them. Some records may be sealed or restricted by law. Juvenile records have special privacy rules. Victim information may be redacted in certain cases.

The custodian of records in Arapahoe County can deny access in specific cases. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-304, access may be limited if release would harm an ongoing investigation or endanger safety. Most criminal court records in Arapahoe County remain open to public view.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation Background Checks

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) offers statewide criminal history checks. These show arrests and convictions from across Colorado. This includes records from Arapahoe County. The Internet Criminal History Check (ICHC) lets you search online instantly.

To use the CBI system, visit cbirecordscheck.com. You will need the exact name and date of birth of the person you are searching. Each search costs $6.00. Results show Colorado arrests and convictions. This includes felonies and misdemeanors from Arapahoe County courts.

Important limits apply to CBI background checks. Sealed records do not appear. Juvenile records are generally not included. Only currently registered sex offenders show on the report. Traffic arrests for those under 16 are excluded. The CBI check provides a statewide view of criminal history. It complements local Arapahoe County court record searches.

Note: CBI background checks cannot be notarized if obtained through the online ICHC system.

Types of Criminal Court Records Available

Criminal court records in Arapahoe County cover many case types. Felony cases are filed in District Court. These include serious crimes like robbery, assault, and drug trafficking. Misdemeanor cases go to County Court. These are less serious offenses but still create permanent records. Traffic criminal cases, including DUIs, are also handled in Arapahoe County.

A typical criminal case file in Arapahoe County contains several documents. The charging document starts the case. This may be an indictment or criminal complaint. Plea records show how the defendant responded. Motion filings show requests made to the judge. Court orders record the judge's decisions. Disposition sheets show the final outcome of the case.

Criminal court records in Arapahoe County typically include:

• Case number and filing date
• Defendant name and charges
• Attorney of record
• Hearing dates and outcomes
• Disposition and sentence
• Fines and fees assessed
• Probation terms if ordered

Most criminal court records in Arapahoe County are public. You can view them at the courthouse or request copies. Some cases may be sealed by court order. Sealed cases are not available to the public. Expunged juvenile records are also not accessible. If you need help finding a specific record, contact the clerk at (303) 649-6355.

Online Resources for Criminal Court Cases

Several online tools help you find criminal court information for Arapahoe County. The Colorado Judicial Branch website serves as the main portal. It provides court locations, forms, and general information. Visit coloradojudicial.gov for statewide resources.

The docket search tool is free and covers all Colorado courts. This includes both Arapahoe County court locations. You can search by name, case number, or date. Results show upcoming hearings and basic case details. This is a good starting point for criminal court record searches.

CoCourts.com offers more detailed case information. This is a paid service operated by LexisNexis. It shows the Register of Actions for each case. This includes charges, parties, and scheduled events. The data comes directly from the Colorado Judicial Department systems. Records update in real time within an hour of court entry in Arapahoe County.

For official court forms and filing information, use the Colorado Judicial Branch site. Forms are available for pro se filers who represent themselves. The site also explains court procedures and rules. This helps people understand the criminal court process in Arapahoe County.

Cities with Criminal Court Cases

Arapahoe County includes several cities that file criminal cases at the county courts. Aurora is the largest city here. It spans multiple counties but most of its criminal cases file in Arapahoe County. Centennial is another major city entirely within the county. Littleton serves as the county seat and hosts one of the two courthouses.

Englewood is also located in Arapahoe County. Criminal cases from these cities go to the Justice Center or the Littleton courthouse. The filing location depends on the case type and severity. All felonies go to District Court. Misdemeanors and traffic cases go to County Court.

Nearby Counties with Criminal Court Records

Several counties border Arapahoe County. Each has its own court system for criminal cases. If you cannot find a record here, check these neighboring counties. Cases are filed where the offense occurred or where the defendant lives.