Search La Plata County Recent Bookings
La Plata County maintains public records of all recent bookings and arrests at the sheriff's office in Durango. The county provides access to inmate information and jail records as required under Colorado law. You can find details about people currently in custody or recently arrested anywhere in La Plata County. Booking records include names, dates, charges, and bond amounts. Anyone can request this information during business hours by contacting the sheriff's office. These records help you search for people processed through the La Plata County detention facility.
La Plata County Sheriff Booking Information
The La Plata County Sheriff's Office handles all arrests and detention services for the county. Durango is the county seat where the jail facility is located. The office keeps records of everyone booked into custody. You can call or visit during business hours to ask about current inmates or recent arrests. Staff will search their system and provide available booking information.
Under Colorado law, every county jail must keep a daily log of all inmates. This requirement is stated in C.R.S. 17-26-118. The log must show names, booking dates, birth dates, charges, and bond amounts. La Plata County follows this law and makes the jail log available to anyone who requests it. The sheriff's office maintains these records even when the jail population is low.
The detention facility in Durango serves people arrested throughout La Plata County. This includes arrests made by the sheriff's office, city police departments, and state patrol. All bookings get processed through the same facility regardless of which agency made the arrest. The sheriff's office can tell you if someone is currently in custody at the Durango jail. They can also provide information about bond amounts, court dates, and how to contact inmates through phone or visitation.
For people in custody, the jail has rules about visitation and phone calls. Contact the sheriff's office to learn current policies. They can tell you when visitation is scheduled and how to set up phone access. They can also explain how to deposit money on an inmate's account for commissary purchases and phone calls. Each inmate has an account number that you need for deposits.
La Plata County Court Records
People booked into La Plata County jail will appear before a judge within 48 hours of arrest. This first appearance is when bond gets set and charges are read. Court proceedings take place at the La Plata County courthouse in Durango. You can check court schedules and case status through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. Search by name or case number to see upcoming hearings.
The online docket system shows all court dates for La Plata County cases. Results include arraignments, pre-trial conferences, and trial dates. The system updates regularly as hearings get scheduled or changed. If you need to know when someone has to appear in court, this is the best resource. Each result shows the date, time, courtroom, and type of hearing.
Public defender services are available for people who cannot afford a private attorney. The court will appoint a lawyer at the first appearance if someone qualifies. Legal aid organizations in the Durango area can provide additional help with certain types of cases. Contact the court clerk's office or the Colorado bar association for information about legal resources in La Plata County.
Note: Court dates may be rescheduled due to various factors so always verify hearing times before attending.
Statewide Criminal Records
For criminal records beyond La Plata County, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide database. CBI keeps records of arrests backed by fingerprints from all Colorado law enforcement agencies. You can request a criminal history check through their online portal. The cost is six dollars per search result you download.
A CBI criminal history report shows arrests from any Colorado county, not just La Plata County. The database includes arrests where fingerprints were taken and submitted to the state system. Minor citations without fingerprints may not appear in the report. Sealed records and juvenile arrests are not available to the public. If you need a complete background check for employment or licensing purposes, the CBI check is the most thorough option.
The Colorado Department of Corrections operates state prisons for people serving sentences over one year. CDOC has an online inmate locator that shows everyone currently in state prison custody. This is separate from county jails which hold people awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences. If someone was convicted and sentenced to prison time, they will appear in the CDOC system instead of La Plata County jail records.
Requesting La Plata County Booking Records
The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act sets rules for how agencies release arrest information. Booking records are official action records that must be made public. La Plata County follows this law and provides access to booking logs when requested. Contact the sheriff's office during business hours to ask for this information.
If you want copies of booking photos or mug shots, Colorado law requires you to sign a statement. The statement says you will not use the photos for commercial gain or profit. This rule comes from C.R.S. 24-72-305.5. It prevents websites from charging people fees to remove their booking photos. The sheriff's office will provide the required form when you request photographs. Basic booking information like names and charges does not require this statement.
The Colorado Open Records Act requires agencies to respond to records requests within three working days. Simple requests for recent booking information usually get answered within that timeframe. More complex requests may take longer but staff will let you know when to expect the records. Most basic booking information has minimal or no cost. Fees may apply for extensive searches or large amounts of copying.
Regional Booking Resources
If the person you are looking for is not in La Plata County custody, check nearby counties. Montezuma County borders La Plata to the west. San Juan County is to the north. Archuleta County is to the east. Each county maintains separate booking records through its own sheriff's office.
Some nearby counties may have online inmate search tools that you can use from home. If someone was arrested in a different county, you need to contact that county's sheriff directly. Booking records do not cross county lines. La Plata County cannot access other counties' jail databases. Check with each county individually to locate arrest information outside of La Plata County.