Mesa County Criminal Court Records Access

Mesa County Colorado criminal court records are housed at the Mesa County Justice Center in Grand Junction. The 21st Judicial District serves Mesa County and all its residents. Both the county court and the district court keep criminal records for this region. Cases range from minor traffic tickets to serious felonies. The court system has served western Colorado for decades. Records date back to 1989 in the digital system.

Mesa County Criminal Court Records Location

The Mesa County Justice Center sits at 125 North Spruce Street in Grand Junction. This is the main hub for Mesa County criminal court records. The building houses both the county court and the district court. All criminal cases filed in Mesa County start here. The court serves the entire western slope region of Colorado. Grand Junction is the county seat and the largest city in the area.

Mesa County Court handles misdemeanors and traffic cases. This includes DUIs, petty theft, and local ordinance violations. The district court hears felonies and serious criminal matters. Both courts maintain Mesa County criminal court records for their cases. You can visit the clerk's office in person. Staff can help you search for cases by name or case number. The phone number for the court is 970-257-3640.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court is closed on state holidays. Bring a valid ID when you visit. Copy fees apply for printed documents. The court accepts cash, check, or money order. Visit the official court page at coloradojudicial.gov for more details.

How to Search Mesa County Criminal Records

You can search Mesa County criminal court records online or in person. The method you choose depends on your needs. Online searches work best for quick case status checks. In-person visits let you view full files and get certified copies fast.

CoCourts.com is the main site for Mesa County criminal court records. This service covers both county and district court cases. Records go back to 1989 for both courts. You can search by name to find cases. The site shows case status, charges, and court dates. It does not show sealed or juvenile cases. You must pay a fee to use this service. Visit cocourts.com to start your search.

The Colorado Judicial Branch also offers a free docket search. This tool lets you search Mesa County criminal court records by date and location. You can find upcoming hearings and case schedules. The site is at coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. This is a good way to check when a case will be heard.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at the Mesa County Justice Center. Staff can help you find old and new cases alike. Bring the full name of the defendant and the case number if you have it. Old records may take extra time to locate. The court keeps paper files for cases before 1989.

Mesa County Criminal Court Records Coverage

The court keeps Mesa County criminal court records for many case types. Coverage dates vary by court level and case type. The digital system holds records from 1989 to now. Cases before that year may be in paper files.

County Court records in Mesa County include:

• Misdemeanor criminal cases from 1989
• Traffic infractions and tickets from 1989
• Petty offense cases from 1989
• Protection orders and civil restraining orders
• Small claims and civil cases under $25,000

District Court records in Mesa County include felony criminal cases from 1989. The district court also handles appeals from county court decisions. Felony records cover serious crimes like assault, robbery, and drug charges. These records are part of Mesa County criminal court records.

Note: Some records may be sealed by court order and will not appear in public searches.

Colorado State Laws and Criminal Court Resources

Colorado law governs how Mesa County criminal court records are kept and shared. The Colorado Revised Statutes set the rules for public access. Title 16 covers criminal procedure. Title 18 defines crimes and penalties. These laws apply to all Mesa County cases.

The Criminal Justice Records Act (C.R.S. § 24-72-301) controls access to court records. This law lets courts charge fees for copies. It also lets them deny access to some records. Sealed cases are not open to the public. Juvenile records have their own rules under the Children's Code.

The Colorado Judicial Branch website has forms and rules. You can find these at coloradojudicial.gov. The site links to all trial courts in the state. It also has self-help forms for people without lawyers. This is a good place to learn about court rules in Mesa County.

For record requests, you can use the online form at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. This form goes to the right court based on your request. You can also email the court clerk for help. Include the case number and names of the parties in your request.

What Mesa County Criminal Court Records Include

A Mesa County criminal case file has many types of documents. The complaint is the first paper filed. It lists the charges against the defendant. The arrest report may be included. This shows why police took action. These records form the core of Mesa County criminal court records.

Court filings add more details over time. Motions ask the judge to take action. Orders show what the judge decided. Plea agreements show if a deal was made. Sentencing documents show the final outcome. All of these are part of the public record in Mesa County.

The final case documents are often the most important. These include the judgment and sentence. They show if the person was found guilty. They list fines, jail time, or probation terms. Certified copies of these papers are often needed for legal matters. You can get them from the Mesa County clerk's office.

Counties Near Mesa County

These counties border Mesa County and are also in the 21st Judicial District. You may need to check their records if a case moved between courts. Each county keeps its own criminal court records.