Criminal records in San Juan County, New Mexico, are available through several channels. SanJuanCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, official state court portals, law enforcement agencies, and the Eleventh Judicial District Court Clerk's Office provide access to case materials — online, in person, or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in San Juan
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this county. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Online Search
- SanJuanCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to find publicly available information about criminal cases in San Juan County.
- NM Case Lookup — a statewide portal covering district courts, magistrate courts, and other New Mexico courts. Select "San Juan County District Court" or "San Juan County Magistrate Court" from the list.
- New Mexico Courts' Public Access — another official search tool where you can filter results by specific San Juan County court.
- re:Search®NM — a system providing access to electronic court documents from appellate, district, and magistrate courts in the state.
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person (name in Latin script)
- Case number
- Date of birth (helps narrow down results)
In-Person Visit
The San Juan County District Court Clerk's Office in Farmington welcomes visitors who wish to view case materials. Public terminals are available in the courthouse. Contact the clerk with the name or case number.
San Juan County District Court — Aztec / Farmington
The Magistrate Court is located in Aztec:
San Juan County Magistrate Court — Aztec
Written Request
You can submit a request for court records through the IPRA (Inspection of Public Records Act) procedure. Note: New Mexico courts do not conduct background checks for the public. For an official criminal history, contact the Law Enforcement Records Bureau of the Department of Public Safety.
Search San Juan Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in New Mexico has a standard format that helps quickly identify the court, year, and type of proceeding. The typical structure looks like this:
D-1116-CR-2024-00123
- D — denotes District Court. For Magistrate Court, it will be "M."
- 1116 — court code. For the San Juan County District Court in Farmington, it is 1116.
- CR — case category. "CR" stands for Criminal. Other codes: "LR" — lower-level offenses, "MR" — Magistrate Court cases.
- 2024 — year the case was filed.
- 00123 — sequential case number within the year.
If you know the exact number, enter it in the appropriate field on the Case Lookup portal. This is the fastest way to find a specific case — searching by name sometimes yields multiple results, especially for common surnames.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in San Juan
Each criminal case in the county contains several key elements. Understanding each of them will help correctly interpret the information found.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the New Mexico Criminal Code (NMSA 1978), e.g., § 30-16-1 — theft |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, Petty Misdemeanor |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during the proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is actively being heard by the court
- Disposed — the case is completed, a decision has been made
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Types of Hearings
In criminal cases in San Juan County, the following hearings are usually held:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty/not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (applies to felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — a meeting of the parties before the trial begins
- Sentencing — the imposition of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence, such as probation
The hearing schedule for the Farmington District Court is published on the Eleventh Judicial District's website.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court found the defendant not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — initiated by the prosecutor or the court |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue further prosecution |
| Acquitted | Acquittal after a full trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in San Juan
Certified copies of court documents are official copies with the court's seal that have legal force. They are often required by employers, attorneys, or government agencies.
Where to Apply
To obtain certified copies of criminal case materials, contact the San Juan County District Court Clerk's Office. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.
To obtain an official criminal history record, you must contact another agency — the Law Enforcement Records Bureau (LERB) of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. This check requires fingerprinting.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person: visit the court clerk's office with valid ID (driver's license or passport). Provide the case number or defendant's name.
- By Mail: send a written request specifying the case number, full name of the party, and type of document. Include a copy of your ID and payment.
- Through IPRA: submit a request on the IPRA portal to obtain copies of public court records. This mechanism operates under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA 1978, § 14-2-1 et seq.).
Note: Some records may be restricted from public access — including cases involving minors, sealed cases, and records for which the court has issued a confidentiality order.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in San Juan
The cost of copies and document certification in New Mexico courts is regulated by rules set by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Below are approximate rates.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification (certification fee) | $1.50 per document |
| Criminal history check through LERB (fingerprint-based background check) | Depends on the type of check; check on the DPS website |
Processing Time
- In-person request at the court clerk's office: copies are usually provided the same day or within a few business days, depending on the volume of the request.
- Mail request: processing may take 5 to 15 business days.
- Request through IPRA: by law, the institution must respond within 15 calendar days of receiving the request. In complex circumstances, this period may be extended.
- Criminal history check through DPS: timelines depend on the type of check and the current workload of the bureau.
Before sending a request by mail, it is recommended to call the court clerk's office at (505) 326-2256 to confirm current rates and acceptable forms of payment.