Criminal records in Garfield County, Colorado, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. GarfieldCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Garfield County. The Garfield County Combined Court, part of Colorado's 9th Judicial District, maintains official case records. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Garfield County Sheriff's Office also serve as access points for criminal history information.
How to Search Criminal Records in Garfield
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Garfield County. Start with the method that fits your situation.
Online Search Options
- GarfieldCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information by name or case details.
- Colorado Judicial Branch Records Search — The state court system provides a records search tool. You can look up cases by name or case number across Colorado courts.
- Colorado Docket Search — Use this tool to find scheduled court dockets in Garfield County. At least one filter beyond date is required.
- Access Guide to Public Records — The Colorado Judicial Branch lists approved vendors that provide electronic access to court records by name or case number. Fees may apply.
In Person
- Visit the Garfield County Courthouse Clerk's Office to use public access terminals or request records directly from the clerk.
- Bring a valid photo ID. You can search by defendant name or case number at the counter.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a Record/Document Request Form through the Colorado Judicial Branch website or mail a written request to the Garfield County Clerk of Court.
- For statewide criminal history reports, contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which maintains the state criminal history repository. Requests to CBI require fingerprints and a completed application.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- Type of case (criminal, traffic, etc.)
Search Garfield Criminal Cases by Case Number
Colorado uses a standardized case number format across all state courts. Understanding the format helps you locate the right record quickly.
A typical Colorado case number looks like this: 2024CR30045
- 2024 — The year the case was filed
- CR — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CR — Criminal (felony-level)
- CM — Criminal misdemeanor
- TR — Traffic
- MJ — Marijuana-related
- JD — Juvenile delinquency
- 30045 — A sequential filing number assigned by the court
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the Colorado Judicial Branch records search or provide it to the clerk's office for faster retrieval. Case number searches return more precise results than name searches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Garfield
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) section cited in the charging document (e.g., C.R.S. § 18-4-401 for theft) |
| Severity | Felony (classes 1–6), misdemeanor (classes 1–3), petty offense, or traffic infraction |
| Original Charges | Charges filed at the time of arrest or initial complaint |
| Amended Charges | Charges modified through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed)
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled, including sentencing terms
Hearing Types
- First Appearance / Advisement — Defendant is informed of charges and rights
- Preliminary Hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, possible resolution
- Trial — Jury or bench trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after conviction or guilty plea
- Review Hearing — Court monitors compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Deferred Judgment — Defendant pleads guilty but conviction is withheld pending successful completion of conditions
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Garfield
From the Garfield County Clerk of Court
Certified copies of court records — including criminal case documents, judgments, and disposition records — are available from the Clerk of Court at the Garfield County Courthouse.
How to submit a request:
- In person: Visit the clerk's office with a valid photo ID. Specify the case number or defendant name and the documents you need.
- By mail: Send a written request including the case number, document description, your contact information, and payment for applicable fees.
- Online form: Use the Record/Document Request Form on the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The clerk may restrict access to certain files or portions of files.
Garfield County Courthouse — Clerk of Court
From the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
For official state criminal history background checks, submit a request to the CBI. These checks require fingerprint submission and are typically used for employment, licensing, or personal review. Requests can be submitted online through the CBI website or by mail.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Garfield
Fees for court records in Colorado are set by the Judicial Branch and may vary slightly based on the type of request. The following table reflects standard fees established under Colorado Chief Justice Directive 98-01 and related fee schedules.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.75 |
| Certification of a document | $20.00 per document |
| Search fee (per name, if clerk conducts search) | $20.00 |
| CBI criminal history check (name-based) | $6.85 |
| CBI criminal history check (fingerprint-based) | $39.50 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often fulfilled the same day if records are readily available
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- Online form requests: Processing varies; the clerk's office may contact you for clarification or payment
- CBI background checks: Name-based results are usually returned within 3–5 business days; fingerprint-based checks may take longer
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current costs with the Garfield County Combined Court or the CBI before submitting your request. Payment methods accepted at the courthouse typically include cash, check, and money order.