Albuquerque Police, Booking & Court Record Guide
Search Albuquerque Arrest, Booking and Criminal Court Records
An Albuquerque arrest can leave records in several systems at once. Start with Bernalillo County MDC if you are checking a recent booking, use Albuquerque Police Department Records for the incident or arrest report, then follow the case into Metropolitan Court or the Second Judicial District Court.
This guide shows which official system answers each question, what identifiers to save, how to distinguish an arrest from a filed criminal case, where to request actual documents and when a New Mexico Department of Public Safety arrest-history check is more authoritative than a public name search.
ARREST → BOOKING → COURT → OUTCOME
ALBUQUERQUE RECORD CHECK
Police report
APD
Booking / holds
MDC
Case / docket
COURT
State arrest history
DPS
MATCH THE PERSON → SAVE CASE NUMBER
The fastest route depends on what you mean by “arrest record”
Four Records Can Describe the Same Albuquerque Arrest
APD
Police report
Describes the incident investigated by Albuquerque Police, including report details available for release under applicable records rules.
MDC
Booking record
Shows a person processed through Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center and may display booking, holds, arrests, charges and release information.
NM
Court case
Shows what prosecutors filed and what happened after arrest. A court case can change, be dismissed, consolidated or result in conviction or acquittal.
DPS
State arrest history
New Mexico DPS maintains the statewide fingerprint-supported criminal-history repository for qualifying adult New Mexico arrests.
An arrest is not a conviction. A booking page or police report shows that law enforcement action occurred. Always check the corresponding court disposition before describing a person as convicted.
Start With the Action You Need
Was someone arrested recently?
Start with the Bernalillo County MDC custody system and look for the booking, active holds and connected case numbers.
Need the APD arrest or incident report?
Contact APD Records with the report number, involved person and approximate date.
Want to know what happened in court?
Search New Mexico Case Lookup using the defendant’s name or the case number found in the booking record.
Need misdemeanor or DWI records?
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court handles most local misdemeanor, DWI, domestic-violence and traffic cases.
Need a felony case file?
Search the Second Judicial District Court after a felony case is indicted or otherwise proceeds into District Court.
Need your official New Mexico arrest history?
Use the DPS Authorization for Release of Information process instead of relying only on public court-name searches.
Albuquerque Arrest Records Quick Navigation
How to Check a Recent Albuquerque Arrest or Booking
If the immediate question is “Is this person in custody?” the court system is not the fastest first stop. Begin with Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center’s custody list.
Read and accept the county disclaimer.
Bernalillo County says custody, arrest and release information is provided for reference and users are responsible for confirming accuracy.
Use the available search fields.
Match the person carefully, especially when the name is common. Compare year of birth and other available identifiers before relying on a result.
Open the booking detail.
Save the Person ID, booking number and booking date.
Review active holds.
A hold can explain why a person remains confined even when another listed matter shows a release event.
Copy every connected case number.
One booking can contain more than one arrest, warrant or court case.
Review agency information.
The arresting agency may be APD, Bernalillo County Sheriff, another New Mexico agency or another jurisdiction.
Continue to New Mexico Case Lookup.
The court record is the better place to determine filing status, later hearings and disposition.
Recheck before acting on release information.
Custody status can change. Use the live county page rather than a cached screenshot.
Important use restriction: Bernalillo County’s custody application states that displayed custody, arrest and release data is for reference and that commercial use of the site data is prohibited. Use the official system for individual verification; do not scrape or republish booking profiles.
What an MDC Booking Detail Can Show
Person ID
An identifier used by the custody system to distinguish the individual.
Booking number
Identifies a particular admission or booking event.
Booking date
Shows when that booking was created.
Active holds
Indicates whether the custody record currently displays one or more holds.
Arrest section
Can show case number, arresting agency, date/time and arrest location.
Charges
Can display charge descriptions, statutory references and counts associated with listed cases.
Warrants
May list warrant-connected cases or hold information.
Bail / release
Can show release type, release date, hold information or other disposition related to custody.
Do not merge separate cases. A booking may display several case numbers from different dates or agencies. Search every case individually in the court system.
How to Request an Albuquerque Police Department Report
APD Records is the correct source when you need the written police report rather than a jail booking or court docket.
Collect the report number first.
If you have an APD report number, use it. It is much more precise than asking staff to search by a broad name and date range.
Call APD Records when you need status or payment instructions.
Records personnel can be reached at
505-768-2020.
Walk in when appropriate.
APD Records lists walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Use APD Main or an applicable substation.
APD Main is at 400 Roma NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. The city also lists multiple substations for report-related services.
Bring enough identifiers.
Prepare the report number, full name, incident date, location and your relationship to the report.
Expect access restrictions in some cases.
APD may direct a requester to the City Clerk’s Inspection of Public Records Act process when ordinary Records Division release is not appropriate.
APD phone hours: The Records Division lists telephone service Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
APD Police Report and Background-Check Fees
Police report
APD currently lists a charge of $0.50 per page for a report obtained through the Records Division.
APD background check
APD lists a $5 flat fee for its local background-check service.
Payment at APD Records
The city states that cash and checks payable to the City of Albuquerque are accepted and that bills larger than $20 are not accepted.
Do not confuse the $5 APD check with a statewide criminal-history record. New Mexico DPS is the state’s official criminal-history repository and has a separate authorization and fee process.
Search Albuquerque Criminal Court Cases Online
New Mexico Case Lookup is the general-public search for Metropolitan Court, District Court and other participating New Mexico state courts. Registration is not required for ordinary Case Lookup.
Use the exact court case number when you have it.
Copy it directly from the MDC booking record, citation, court notice or police paperwork.
Otherwise search the defendant’s name.
Use the legal first and last name and compare date of birth or other available identifiers when several people match.
Filter to criminal matters when useful.
Narrow by case category, court, status or filing date when the interface provides those filters.
Check both Metro and District Court paths.
A felony may begin with a first appearance in Metropolitan Court and later appear in Second Judicial District Court.
Read the case status and docket.
Look for filing events, hearings, orders and the latest case activity rather than relying only on the original charge description.
Request the actual documents separately.
General Case Lookup does not provide court-file documents to ordinary public users.
Online access has legal limits: New Mexico Courts states that juvenile criminal cases are not displayed through public Case Lookup and that certain other protected matters are also excluded. A missing result does not prove that no record exists.
Older court record: New Mexico Courts provides a separate request path for records prior to 1997 when they are not available through ordinary Case Lookup.
Which Albuquerque Court Handles the Criminal Case?
METRO
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Start here for many Albuquerque petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor cases, DWI, domestic-violence matters and traffic cases.
Metro Court also conducts felony first appearances and preliminary examination hearings.
Address:
401 Lomas Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone:
505-841-8151
Courthouse hours:
Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
2ND
Second Judicial District Court
Use the District Court for felony cases after they proceed into District Court, including indicted or bound-over criminal cases.
The Criminal Division also handles felony case records and related court-file requests.
Address:
400 Lomas Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Main phone:
505-841-8400
Criminal Division:
505-841-7444
Practical shortcut: If an MDC record contains several court case numbers, search every number. A person may have both Metropolitan Court and District Court matters connected with the same period of custody.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Record Checks and Copies
Metro Court does not conduct statewide criminal-history checks for the public. It does, however, provide public court-record access and a first-floor Records Viewing Room.
Records Viewing Room
First floor of Metropolitan Court
Monday–Friday
7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
| Metro Court Copy Type |
Published Charge |
| Photocopy of court record |
$0.50 per page |
| Scanned / electronically transferred court record |
$1.00 per page |
| Certified court record |
Additional $0.50 per page |
| Court hearing CD |
$5.00 |
Metro Court history: The court states that its records extend back to 1984, but it is not the official statewide keeper of criminal-history records. That role belongs to New Mexico DPS.
Get a Second Judicial District Felony Case File
Find the case in Case Lookup first.
Save the exact case number, defendant name and filing date.
Identify the document you need.
Examples include complaints, indictments, motions, orders, sentencing documents or other publicly releasable case-file records.
For audio or transcripts, use the correct division.
Audio, transcripts and exhibit requests have a separate Special Services workflow.
Keep the copy receipt.
Certified or exemplified records can involve additional charges beyond ordinary photocopies.
Copies
$0.35 per page
Certification
$1.50 per document plus copy charge
Exemplification
$4.50 per document plus copy charge
Audio on CD
$4.00 on the court’s case-record request schedule
Use this when you need the statewide fingerprint-supported arrest record
New Mexico DPS Arrest History: The Official State Repository
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Records Bureau maintains the state central repository for criminal history. It receives fingerprint-supported arrest information for New Mexico felony, qualifying misdemeanor and DWI arrests.
Use the Authorization for Release of Information process.
New Mexico law allows an individual, counsel or an authorized agent to inspect arrest-record information concerning that individual.
Complete the form legibly.
Follow the current DPS instructions and provide the required identifying information.
Have the authorization notarized.
DPS requires the original signature on the authorization form.
Include the current fee.
DPS lists a fee of $15 per record check, paid by money order or cashier’s check payable to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
Mail the original authorization.
Follow the current DPS mailing instructions rather than sending only a scan when the original is required.
Allow processing time.
DPS currently describes a normal turnaround of approximately 7–15 working days depending on workload.
Compare the RAP information with court dispositions.
If the criminal-history sheet lacks an outcome, use Case Lookup or the responsible court clerk to confirm what happened after arrest.
Record-check fee
$15
Mailing address
Law Enforcement Records Bureau
P.O. Box 1628
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1628
Why one database is not enough
New Mexico Is Actively Repairing Missing Criminal-Case Dispositions
In a July 30, 2026 modernization update, New Mexico DPS reported a major statewide criminal-history data problem: disposition information was being received for only about 32% of criminal cases, leaving roughly 68% without a complete disposition flow into the criminal-history system.
Disposition information received
~32%
Records potentially missing disposition flow
~68%
Statewide DPS modernization figure, not an Albuquerque-only statistic and not a prediction for any individual record.
Practical meaning: A criminal-history record can show an arrest without clearly showing that the charge was later dismissed, reduced or otherwise resolved. For consequential decisions, verify the final court disposition.
Best verification chain: police or booking record → exact court case → final docket/order → DPS arrest history when an official statewide record is needed.
Arrest Record Does Not Tell You the Final Outcome
1
Arrest
Law enforcement takes the person into custody or initiates an arrest process.
2
Booking
Jail processing creates booking and custody information when the person is admitted.
3
Charge / filing
Prosecutors and courts determine what criminal allegations proceed.
4
Pending case
Hearings, motions, plea negotiations or trial may occur.
5
Disposition
The case may result in dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal, plea, conviction or another outcome.
6
Later record action
Eligible cases may later involve expungement or another statutory records process.
| Term |
What It Usually Tells You |
Do Not Assume |
| Arrested |
Law enforcement took arrest action. |
That the person was convicted. |
| Booked |
A detention facility processed an admission. |
That every listed allegation became a filed charge. |
| Pending |
The case has not reached a final disposition. |
The final result. |
| Dismissed |
The listed case or charge was dismissed. |
That every other case involving the person was dismissed. |
| Nolle prosequi |
The prosecution declined or discontinued prosecution of the affected matter. |
That every related matter disappeared automatically. |
| Conviction |
The court record reflects a conviction or guilty disposition. |
The arrest record alone proves it. |
| Expunged |
A qualifying record has been subject to a court-ordered expungement process. |
Eligibility without checking New Mexico law and the actual order. |
No Albuquerque Arrest Record Found? Try These Fixes
| Problem |
Try This |
Why It May Work |
| Recent arrest not in Case Lookup |
Check MDC first and search the case number later. |
Booking can occur before the court docket becomes easy to locate. |
| No MDC result |
Search court records and verify whether the person was released, transferred or never booked at MDC. |
Not every law-enforcement event produces a current MDC custody record. |
| Common name produces many court cases |
Use date of birth, court location, case number or filing-date filters. |
Name-only matching can easily identify the wrong person. |
| Name spelling does not match |
Search maiden names, aliases, hyphenated surnames and alternate spellings separately. |
Different systems may index names differently. |
| Juvenile case does not appear |
Do not assume the record is missing. |
New Mexico Courts does not display juvenile criminal cases through public Case Lookup. |
| Case is older than online coverage |
Use the court’s older-record request process. |
Pre-1997 records may require a separate court request. |
| Need police narrative, not docket |
Contact APD Records or file a City IPRA request. |
Courts do not maintain APD police-report files as the law-enforcement custodian. |
| Arrest history lacks outcome |
Search the exact case number in New Mexico Courts. |
DPS has publicly identified missing disposition reporting as a statewide data-quality problem. |
| Case appears sealed or unavailable |
Contact the responsible clerk rather than attempting to bypass access restrictions. |
Some records are legally restricted, sealed or excluded from public online access. |
| Need a true statewide personal record |
Use the DPS authorization process. |
A court-name search is not the same as the state fingerprint-supported criminal-history repository. |
“I am trying to locate an Albuquerque criminal record involving __________. I have the approximate arrest date __________, booking or report number __________, and possible case number __________. Can you confirm which office is the custodian of the record I need?”
New Mexico Arrest-Record Expungement: Where to Start
New Mexico’s Criminal Records Expungement Act has allowed qualifying individuals to petition for expungement of certain arrest and related public records since 2020. Eligibility and waiting periods depend on the type and outcome of the case.
Arrest without conviction
DPS states that an arrest-and-charge matter ending without conviction can have a one-year waiting period from final disposition before a qualifying petition.
Conviction
Waiting periods vary by offense and final disposition. Do not apply a generic timeline without checking the specific statute and case.
Albuquerque filing route
The Second Judicial District Court lists criminal-record expungements among matters handled through its Civil Division records and filing resources.
Identify every case and arrest record involved.
Build the list from DPS history, court cases and police records.
Confirm the final disposition.
Do not calculate a waiting period from the arrest date when the statute uses final disposition.
Review current New Mexico Courts forms.
Use the judiciary’s current expungement forms rather than an old third-party form.
Follow notice requirements carefully.
Expungement cases can require notice to agencies specified by law.
Keep the final signed court order.
The order is important if a database later needs correction or confirmation.
Legal-information notice: Expungement eligibility can be fact-specific. This section explains the research path and does not determine whether any person qualifies.
Review New Mexico DPS expungement information.
Practical Albuquerque Arrest-Record Scenarios
Family member arrested tonight
Start with MDC custody. Save the booking and case numbers, then check court records for first appearance and later proceedings.
Old APD arrest but no conviction remembered
Get the court case and final disposition before relying on the arrest record.
Employer asks for a background check
Determine exactly which authorized screening process is required. A public court search is not automatically a compliant employment background check.
Attorney needs a felony order
Use Second Judicial District Case Lookup to identify the case, then request the actual document from the Criminal Division.
Person believes a report is inaccurate
Keep copies from every involved system and contact the actual custodian of the incorrect record.
Police report number is known
Call APD Records directly rather than searching court dockets first.
Arrest appears but no disposition
Search New Mexico Case Lookup because the statewide RAP sheet may be missing final court disposition data.
Misdemeanor or DWI
Metropolitan Court is usually the key Albuquerque court-record route.
Felony proceeded beyond first appearance
Follow the matter into the Second Judicial District Court.
Use Arrest Records Carefully
- Match identity before attributing a record
- Do not equate arrest with guilt
- Check final court disposition
- Do not republish juvenile or protected information
- Respect sealed and expunged records
- Do not scrape MDC custody data for commercial republication
- Verify current custody before stating someone is jailed
- Use authorized screening procedures for employment or housing decisions
- Preserve document dates and source names
- Correct outdated information when an official disposition changes the context
Consumer-reporting caution: A public-record search page is not automatically a Consumer Reporting Agency and should not be used as a substitute for legally compliant employment, tenant, credit or other FCRA-regulated screening.
Official Albuquerque Arrest and Court Record Resources
Albuquerque Arrest Records FAQs
1. How do I search recent Albuquerque arrest records?
Start with the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center Custody List for recent booking information. Save the booking and court case numbers, then search those numbers in New Mexico Case Lookup to determine what happened in court.
2. Where can I get an Albuquerque Police Department arrest report?
Contact the Albuquerque Police Department Records Division at 505-768-2020 or visit APD Main at 400 Roma NW. APD currently lists walk-in Records Division hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3. How much does an APD police report cost?
APD currently lists a charge of $0.50 per page for written reports through its Records Division. The department also lists a $5 flat fee for its local background-check service.
4. How do I find an Albuquerque criminal court case?
Use New Mexico Courts Case Lookup. Search the exact case number when possible; otherwise search the defendant’s legal name and use court, filing-date, status and other available filters to narrow the results.
5. Which Albuquerque court handles misdemeanor arrests?
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court handles many petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor crimes, DWI, domestic-violence and traffic matters. It also conducts felony first appearances and preliminary examination hearings.
6. Where are Albuquerque felony court records kept?
Felony cases that proceed into District Court are handled by the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. Its Criminal Division is at the Bernalillo County Courthouse, 400 Lomas Blvd. NW, and can be reached at 505-841-7444.
7. Is an Albuquerque arrest record proof of a conviction?
No. An arrest or booking record shows law-enforcement or detention activity, not guilt. Check the corresponding court case and final disposition before concluding that a person was convicted.
8. How do I get my official New Mexico arrest history?
Use the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Records Bureau. DPS requires a completed and notarized Authorization for Release of Information with an original signature and currently lists a $15 fee per record check.
9. Why might an Albuquerque arrest not appear in online court search?
The case may be very recent, indexed under another name, older than ordinary electronic coverage, juvenile, sealed, expunged or otherwise restricted from public access. A police report, MDC record, court clerk or DPS record may provide a different part of the history.
10. Can an Albuquerque arrest record be expunged?
Some New Mexico arrest and criminal records can qualify for expungement under the Criminal Records Expungement Act. Eligibility and waiting periods depend on the case outcome and offense, so verify the final disposition and current New Mexico Courts requirements before filing.
Independent Records Guide and Verification Notice
This page is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the Albuquerque Police Department, City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, Second Judicial District Court, New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts or New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
Arrest, booking, charge, warrant, court-status and release information can change quickly. Public systems can also contain errors, delayed updates or incomplete dispositions. Confirm consequential information through the responsible official agency and the final court record.
Nothing on this page establishes guilt, provides legal advice or replaces a compliant professional background check where federal or state law requires one.
Editorial verification date: August 28, 2026.
Slug: albuquerque-arrest-records
