Criminal records in Chaves County, New Mexico, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. ChavesCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the county. Additional access points include the Fifth Judicial District Court, the New Mexico Courts public access portal, and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety's criminal history repository.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chaves
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Chaves County. The method you choose depends on how much information you already have and whether you need official or certified documents.
Online Search Options
- ChavesCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Chaves County.
- NM Case Lookup — The New Mexico Courts statewide case lookup tool lets you search district and magistrate court cases by party name or case number. Select "Chaves" as the county to narrow results.
- New Mexico Courts' Public Access — This portal includes the Chaves County Magistrate Court in Roswell. Note that information from this site does not constitute the official record of the New Mexico Judiciary.
- New Mexico Corrections Department Offender Search — Search by an offender's first and/or last name or NMCD number. This tool covers individuals under state corrections jurisdiction, not county jail inmates.
In Person
- Visit the Fifth Judicial District Court Clerk's Office in Roswell to inspect criminal case files. Court case records may be inspected in person at the courthouse where they are located.
- Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for searching case dockets.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit an Inspect Public Records Act (IPRA) request through the New Mexico Courts' online IPRA form or in writing to the Fifth Judicial District Court clerk.
- For statewide criminal history records, contact the Law Enforcement Records Bureau (LERB) at the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. The LERB maintains the State Central Repository for Criminal History, which includes arrest record information for persons arrested in New Mexico for felony and serious misdemeanor offenses.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- NMCD number (for corrections searches)
Search Chaves Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can look up the case directly through the NM Case Lookup portal. New Mexico case numbers follow a standard format:
- D-505-CR-2024-00001 — A typical district court criminal case number
- D = District Court ("M" for Magistrate Court)
- 505 = Court location code for Chaves County within the Fifth Judicial District
- CR = Case type (CR for criminal)
- 2024 = Filing year
- 00001 = Sequential case number
Magistrate court case numbers use a similar pattern but begin with "M" instead of "D." Enter the full case number exactly as formatted to pull up charges, hearing dates, and case status.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chaves
Criminal case records in Chaves County contain several categories of information. Here is what each data point means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The New Mexico statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., NMSA 1978, § 30-16-1 for robbery) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be modified through plea negotiations or at the prosecutor's discretion |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial scheduled |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal) |
| Closed | All matters resolved, including sentencing and compliance |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible plea agreements, and trial readiness
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecution declines to pursue the case further |
| Deferred Sentence | Sentencing postponed; charges may be dismissed upon successful completion of conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chaves
Certified copies of criminal court records must be obtained from the court that handled the case. For Chaves County criminal cases, contact the Fifth Judicial District Court Clerk's Office.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse in Roswell. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, party name, and the documents needed. Include payment for applicable fees.
- Online IPRA request: Use the New Mexico Courts IPRA portal to submit a request to inspect or obtain copies of court records. You can also submit requests through the Fifth Judicial District public records page.
For Criminal History Background Checks
Fingerprint-based criminal history reports are handled by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety through their IDEMIA fingerprinting system. These are typically required for employment, licensing, or other official purposes.
Contact Information
Fifth Judicial District Court — Chaves County
New Mexico Department of Public Safety — Law Enforcement Records Bureau
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chaves
Fees for criminal record copies in New Mexico are set by statute and court rule. The following table reflects standard fees applicable to Chaves County courts:
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 | NMSA 1978, § 34-1-3 |
| Certification of document | $1.50 per document | NMSA 1978, § 34-1-3 |
| Fingerprint-based background check (DPS) | Varies; contact DPS for current fee | NM DPS / IDEMIA |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity.
- IPRA requests: New Mexico law requires a response within 15 calendar days. The court may request a reasonable extension if needed.
- DPS background checks: Processing times vary. Fingerprint-based checks through IDEMIA may take several business days to several weeks.
Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm current fees before submitting payment, as amounts may be updated periodically.