Criminal records in Adams County, Colorado can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. AdamsCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Adams County. The Adams County courts, the Adams County Sheriff's Office, and the Adams County Clerk & Recorder each maintain records that may be relevant to a criminal records search.
How to Search Criminal Records in Adams County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Adams County. What you'll need to get started depends on the method, but at minimum you should have the person's full legal name. A date of birth, case number, or other identifying details will narrow results significantly.
Through AdamsCourt.us
AdamsCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available court record information in Adams County. You can search by name or case number to find criminal case details.
Online — State and County Portals
- Colorado Judicial Branch Courts Records Search: The Courts Records Search tool lets you look up cases filed in Colorado courts, including Adams County District and County courts. You can search by party name or case number.
- Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search: The Docket Search tool allows you to find upcoming court dockets. At least one filter in addition to date is required.
- Adams County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search: The Inmate Search tool provides real-time information on individuals currently held at the Adams County Detention Facility, including warrant information. Note: criminal justice records from this tool cannot be used for solicitation of business for monetary gain.
In Person
You can visit the Adams County Courthouse to search criminal records in person. The Clerk's Office provides access to case files that are not sealed or otherwise restricted.
Note: The Clerk's Office is closed to the public on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 12:00–1:00 p.m.
By Mail or Written Request
To request court records by mail or email, use the Adams County Record/Document Request Form available through the Colorado Judicial Branch. You can email requests to AdamsRecordRequest@judicial.state.co.us. The Clerk of Court may restrict access to certain files or portions of files.
For law enforcement records such as incident reports or arrest records, submit a public records request directly to the Adams County Sheriff's Office.
Information you may need for a search:
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- Type of case (criminal, traffic, etc.)
Search Adams County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Colorado uses a standardized case number format across all courts. Understanding the format helps you search efficiently and identify the right case.
A typical Adams County case number looks like this: 2024CR000123
- 2024 — The year the case was filed
- CR — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CR — Criminal (felony-level cases in District Court)
- M — Misdemeanor (County Court)
- T — Traffic
- D — Delinquency (juvenile)
- 000123 — A sequential number assigned by the court
Adams County criminal cases are heard in the 17th Judicial District. When searching by case number, enter it exactly as it appears on court documents. If you only have a partial number, try searching by party name instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Adams County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) section the defendant is charged under, e.g., C.R.S. § 18-4-401 (theft) |
| Severity | Felony (classes 1–6), misdemeanor (classes 1–3), petty offense, or traffic infraction |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecution as the case progresses — reduced, added, or modified through plea negotiations |
Case Status
- Pending: The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Proceedings are ongoing, including hearings or trial
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed: All obligations have been fulfilled and the case is administratively closed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing: A judge determines whether there is probable cause to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference: Attorneys discuss case issues, possible plea agreements, and trial preparation
- Sentencing: The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing: The court checks compliance with probation, treatment, or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was found or pleaded guilty to the charge(s) |
| Not Guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The charge(s) were dropped by the prosecution or court |
| Deferred Judgment | Defendant pleads guilty but the conviction may be dismissed upon successful completion of conditions (common in Colorado) |
| Acquitted | The court formally found insufficient evidence for conviction |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Adams County
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes. Here is how to request them in Adams County.
Court Records — Adams County Clerk of Court
- Complete the Record/Document Request Form through the Colorado Judicial Branch website, selecting Adams County.
- Include the case number, party name, and a description of the document(s) you need.
- Submit the form online or email it to AdamsRecordRequest@judicial.state.co.us.
- Pay applicable fees (see below). The court will notify you of the total before processing.
You can also visit the courthouse in person during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
Sheriff's Office Records
For arrest reports, incident reports, or inmate records, submit a request through the Adams County Sheriff's Office Public Records page. Requests for records related to a case or an inmate do have fees applied. If paying in cash, you must bring exact change.
State Criminal History — Colorado Bureau of Investigation
For a comprehensive Colorado criminal history report, you can request records through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). CBI handles fingerprint-based background checks and name-based criminal history searches statewide. These requests are typically submitted online through the CBI website and require a processing fee.
County Government Records (CORA Requests)
Adams County government records that fall outside the court system can be requested under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). Fill out the Open Records Request Form and email it to the appropriate department contact.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Adams County
Fees vary depending on the type of record and the agency handling the request. The following table summarizes common costs.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 | Colorado Judicial Branch fee schedule |
| Certified copy of court document | $20.00 per document | Colorado Judicial Branch fee schedule |
| Sheriff's Office records request | Varies — fees apply for case and inmate records | Adams County Sheriff's Office |
| CBI name-based criminal history check | $6.85 | Colorado Bureau of Investigation |
| CBI fingerprint-based background check | $39.50 | Colorado Bureau of Investigation |
Processing Times
- Court records (online request): Typically 3–5 business days, though complex requests may take longer
- In-person court records: Often available the same day for non-restricted files
- Sheriff's Office records: Processing times vary based on request complexity; CORA requires a response within 3 business days, though production may take additional time
- CBI background checks: Name-based checks are usually processed within 1–3 business days; fingerprint-based checks may take longer
Fees at the Adams County Courthouse must generally be paid by cash, check, or money order. At the Sheriff's Office, if paying cash, exact change is required. Contact each office directly to confirm accepted payment methods before visiting.