Morgan County Arrest Records
Morgan County keeps public records of all recent bookings and arrests at the sheriff's office in Fort Morgan. The county provides access to jail information and inmate records as required under Colorado law. Anyone can request booking data that shows names, dates, charges, and bond amounts for people in custody. These records help you find information about current inmates or recent arrests anywhere in Morgan County. Contact the sheriff's office during business hours to search for specific individuals or get details about recent bookings.
Morgan County Sheriff Booking Information
The Morgan County Sheriff's Office handles all arrests and detention services for the county. Fort Morgan is the county seat where the jail facility is located. All arrests in Morgan County get processed through this location. The office keeps records of everyone booked into custody. Call or visit during business hours to ask about current inmates or recent arrests.
Colorado state law mandates that every county jail maintain a daily log showing all people in custody. This rule is stated in C.R.S. 17-26-118. The log must include names, booking dates, birth dates, charges, and bond amounts. Morgan County follows this requirement and makes jail logs available to anyone who requests them. The sheriff's office maintains these records and provides information when you contact them.
The detention facility in Fort Morgan serves people arrested throughout Morgan 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. They can provide information about charges, bond amounts, and court dates. Ask staff about visitation and phone policies if you need to contact an inmate.
For people in custody at the Morgan County jail, the facility has rules about communication. Contact the sheriff's office to learn current policies for visitation and phone calls. They can tell you when visits are allowed and how to schedule them. Staff can also explain how to put money on an inmate's account for commissary purchases and phone calls. You will need the inmate's name or booking number to set up an account.
Court Information for Morgan County
Anyone arrested in Morgan County will appear before a judge within 48 hours for their first court appearance. This hearing is when bond gets set and charges are formally read. Court proceedings take place at the county courthouse in Fort Morgan. You can check court dates and case status through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. Search by name or case number to see scheduled hearings.
The online docket system shows all court dates for Morgan County cases. This includes arraignments, pre-trial conferences, and trial dates. The system updates regularly as new hearings get scheduled or existing ones get changed. If you need to know when someone has to appear in court, search their name in the docket database. Each result shows the date, time, and courtroom for the hearing.
Public defender services are available for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The court assigns a public defender at the first appearance if someone qualifies based on income. Legal aid organizations may provide additional help for certain case types. Contact the court clerk's office or the Colorado bar association for information about legal resources in Morgan County.
Note: Court schedules may change due to holidays or other circumstances.
Statewide Criminal Records
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide database of criminal records. CBI keeps records of arrests backed by fingerprints from law enforcement agencies across Colorado. You can request a criminal history check through their online portal. The fee is six dollars per search result you download from the system.
A CBI criminal history report shows arrests from any Colorado county, not just Morgan County. The database includes arrests where fingerprints were taken and processed through 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 your best 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 different from county jails which hold people awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences. If someone was convicted and sent to state prison, they will appear in the CDOC system instead of Morgan County jail records.
How to Request 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. Morgan 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 purposes. This requirement comes from C.R.S. 24-72-305.5. The law prevents websites from charging people fees to remove their booking photos. The sheriff's office will provide the necessary form when you request photographs. Basic booking information like names and charges does not require a signed statement.
The Colorado Open Records Act requires government agencies to respond to records requests within three working days. Simple requests for recent booking information usually get answered quickly. 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 Morgan County custody, check nearby counties. Weld County borders Morgan to the west. Logan County is to the north. Washington County is to the east. Adams County is to the southwest. Each county maintains separate booking records through its own sheriff's office.
Some nearby counties have online inmate search tools that you can use from home. If someone was arrested in a different county, contact that county's sheriff directly. Booking records stay with the county where the arrest occurred. Morgan County cannot access other counties' jail databases. Check with each county individually to locate arrest information outside of Morgan County.