Costilla County Colorado Criminal Court Case Files

Costilla County criminal court records are public under Colorado law. The county sits within the 12th Judicial District. This district also includes Alamosa, Conejos, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties. San Luis serves as the county seat. San Luis is the oldest town in Colorado. The court here serves the southern San Luis Valley. Records date back to 1994 for both District and County Court.

Costilla County Colorado Criminal Court Location

The Costilla Combined Court operates in San Luis. The courthouse serves all of Costilla County. This includes the communities of Blanca, Fort Garland, and Chama. The court handles both District and County Court matters. The court shares resources with other 12th Judicial District counties.

The 12th Judicial District is rooted in history. San Luis was founded in 1851. It predates Colorado statehood by 25 years. The court system serves this historic region. Costilla County is one of the smaller counties in the district. The court handles criminal matters for local residents. The court staff maintains accurate criminal court records.

Costilla County Colorado Criminal Court Judges and Staff

The 12th Judicial District serves six San Luis Valley counties. District Court judges hear felony criminal cases in Costilla County. County Court judges handle misdemeanor matters. Magistrates assist with various proceedings. This team works together to process criminal cases.

District Court judges preside over the most serious criminal cases. These include felonies. County Court judges focus on lesser offenses. They handle misdemeanors and traffic violations. Both courts maintain separate criminal court records. You must know which court heard your case to find the right file in Costilla County.

Note: The 12th Judicial District has vacancies on the VALE Board for victims and witnesses assistance.

How to Search Costilla County Colorado Criminal Court Records

Searching for criminal court records in Costilla County offers several paths. Online tools provide quick access. In-person visits let you view files directly. The method you choose depends on your needs.

CoCourts.com covers Costilla County criminal court records. This paid service shows the full register of actions. County searches cost $5 each. Statewide searches cost $10. The database includes both County and District Court records from 1994. Visit CoCourts.com to start your search.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a free docket search tool. This shows hearing schedules and basic case facts. You can search by party name or case number. The tool displays court dates and case types. Visit the Colorado docket search page to use this free service.

To search effectively for Costilla County criminal court records, gather this information:

• Full legal name of the defendant
• Approximate year of case filing
• Case number if known
• Whether District or County Court handled the matter

In-person searches happen at the courthouse in San Luis. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring valid identification. Staff can help locate files. Contact the 12th Judicial District for specific Costilla County phone numbers before visiting.

What Costilla County Colorado Criminal Court Records Contain

Criminal court records in Costilla County hold many document types. The charging document starts each case. It lists the alleged offenses. Motions and pleadings follow. These show legal arguments from both sides. Court orders record judicial decisions. The final disposition shows how the case ended.

The register of actions serves as the case timeline. It lists every event in order. You can see arraignment dates and hearing schedules. Plea entries appear here. Trial dates and verdicts are recorded. Sentencing orders show penalties imposed. This document gives a complete overview of case progression.

Costilla County criminal court records typically include:

• Defendant name and date of birth
• Charges filed by the district attorney
• Bond and release conditions
• Court dates and hearing outcomes
• Plea agreements and negotiations
• Sentencing orders and probation terms
• Final case disposition

Most criminal court records are public in Costilla County. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act governs access. Under C.R.S. Title 24 Article 72 Part 3, records of official actions must be open. This includes arrests, charges, and dispositions.

Costilla County Colorado Criminal Court Contact Information

The court provides several ways to get help. The 12th Judicial District Collections Office handles payments and financial matters. Call 719-589-7626 for assistance. Their email is 12collections@judicial.state.co.us.

Probation services are available for Costilla County cases. The district provides probation supervision. Contact the 12th Judicial District for probation information. The court offers WebEx virtual proceedings for some matters.

Online payments are available through the Colorado Judicial Payment System. Visit the payment portal to pay fines. Select Costilla County from the list. The system accepts credit cards. Wait for confirmation before closing the browser.

Online Resources for Costilla County Colorado Criminal Court Records

Several websites offer access to Costilla County criminal court records. The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains the official court site. It provides forms, rules, and procedural guides. You can find local court information at Costilla County court page.

CoCourts.com remains the primary commercial source for detailed records. It updates in real time. Changes in the court system appear within an hour. This makes it useful for current case tracking. The service covers both District and County Court matters in Costilla County.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers criminal history checks. These differ from court records. CBI records show arrests and convictions statewide. They cost $6 per search through the Internet Criminal History Check system. Visit cbirecordscheck.com to run a background check.

Virtual courtrooms are available through WebEx. Links are posted on the 12th Judicial District page. Judge Tamara Sullivan handles domestic relations. Judge Jason Kelly conducts advisements. Water Referee Nicolas Sarmiento manages water matters.

Colorado Laws Governing Costilla County Criminal Court Records

State law controls access to criminal court records in Costilla County. The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act sets the basic rules. It declares that records of official actions are public. Anyone can inspect them. No reason is required for your request.

Some records remain confidential. Juvenile records have special protection. They fall under C.R.S. Title 19, the Children's Code. Most juvenile matters are not public. Sealed records cannot be viewed. These require a court order to access.

Record sealing is possible for some adult cases. Non-conviction records may be sealed under C.R.S. § 24-72-702 through 705. Conviction records have different rules. C.R.S. § 24-72-706 covers sealing of certain convictions. Waiting periods apply. Petty offenses need one year. Misdemeanors require three years. Some felonies need five years. Class 1, 2, and 3 felonies cannot be sealed. Sexual offenses and crimes of violence are also excluded.

Nearby Colorado Counties

Costilla County borders several other counties. Each has its own court system. You must search the correct county for the records you need.