San Juan County Arrest Information
San Juan County recent bookings and arrest information are maintained by the sheriff's office in Silverton. All people arrested in San Juan County get processed at the county jail. The facility keeps records of current inmates and recent arrests. You can search for booking information by contacting the sheriff's office. State law in Colorado requires county jails to maintain a public log of all inmates. This log must include names, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. Anyone can request to see these records during reasonable business hours.
San Juan County Sheriff Office
The San Juan County Sheriff operates a small jail in Silverton. This is one of the least populated counties in Colorado. All arrests in the county go through this facility. The jail runs 24 hours a day. Staff process bookings as arrests occur.
When someone gets arrested, staff collect information during booking. They record name, date of birth, and physical details. They note the charges and which agency made the arrest. This information goes into the booking log. Colorado law at C.R.S. 17-26-118 requires jails to keep this log and make it available to the public.
You can contact the San Juan County Sheriff's Office to ask about inmates. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can provide basic information like booking date and charges over the phone. For detailed records or copies of documents, you may need to visit the office in person or submit a written request.
San Juan County is in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. The county seat is Silverton. The county has a very small population. The jail is correspondingly small. Despite its size, the facility follows all state laws for booking and records access.
For people in state prison, use the Colorado Department of Corrections search. County jails hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. State prison houses people with longer sentences. The CDOC has a separate search tool that does not include county jail inmates.
Public Records Access
The Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act governs public access to booking records. This law is at C.R.S. 24-72-301. Booking records are official action records that must be released when requested. The law ensures the public can access information about arrests and people in custody.
San Juan County must respond to records requests within three working days. This requirement comes from the Colorado Open Records Act. If the county needs more time to find or review records, they can take up to seven additional days. They must tell you in writing why they need extra time.
Basic booking information is usually free or low cost. If you want copies of documents, the county can charge 25 cents per page after the first 25 pages. If staff must spend more than an hour searching for records, they can charge for their time. State law limits these fees to actual costs.
If you request booking photos, you must sign a statement per C.R.S. 24-72-305.5. The statement says you will not use the photos for profit. You cannot post them on websites that charge money to remove booking pictures. This protects people from commercial exploitation. The sheriff's office will provide the required form.
Note: Very small counties like San Juan may have limited staff and resources compared to urban counties.
San Juan County Court System
People arrested in San Juan County appear in the San Juan County Combined Court in Silverton. First appearances happen within 48 hours of arrest. The judge sets bond at this hearing. Court proceedings are open to the public unless the judge orders otherwise.
You can search San Juan County court cases through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The docket search is free. You can look up cases by name or case number. Results show charges, court dates, and case status. Court records provide more detail than booking records.
The court clerk maintains case files at the courthouse. Files include charging documents, police affidavits, and court orders. Some documents may be sealed. The clerk can tell you what is available for each case. You can request copies at the clerk's office. Standard fees apply for copies.
If a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the court appoints a public defender. San Juan County residents have access to the Colorado State Public Defender office. The public defender provides free legal representation to people who meet income requirements.
Colorado Statewide Records
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation keeps statewide criminal records. The CBI database includes fingerprint-based arrest records from all counties. You can request a criminal history check through the CBI website for $6.00 per result.
A CBI check shows arrests from across Colorado, not just San Juan County. The report includes convictions and court outcomes. Only arrests where fingerprints were taken appear in the database. Warrant information and sealed records do not show up. The check only notes currently registered sex offenders.
This is useful if you need a complete criminal history. A San Juan County booking record only shows local arrests. The CBI report gives you a full view of arrests throughout the state.
Nearby County Jails
If the person is not in San Juan County, try nearby counties. Ouray County is north of San Juan County. Hinsdale County sits to the northeast. Mineral County borders San Juan to the east. La Plata County lies to the south. Each county operates its own jail and keeps separate booking records.