Arrests happen every day. If you are worried about your loved one’s whereabouts and suspect they may be in jail, check with the local police and detention centers to determine if your loved one or family member is in custody. The challenge is finding out the jurisdiction in which they were arrested, so you may have to make several phone calls to find out.
If you discover that your family member or friend is in jail, try to find out as much information as you possibly can about his or her arrest and then contact a criminal defense attorney to learn more about your legal options. We may be able to help you get him or her out of jail and deal with the police and prosecutors over the charges.
In This Post
In this blog article, I provide resources to help you with your search and more specific actions you can take in the aftermath. The information presented below is general and may not account for your particular situation. Always seek legal advice from a lawyer to avoid making mistakes in your case.
Finding an Arrestee in New Mexico
It is more difficult to track someone down in jail than you may realize, especially if it is your first time. Police states and courthouses use city and county jails to temporarily hold arrestees awaiting bail hearings, arraignments, and more. Typically, you will want to reach out to the arresting police department or sheriff’s office in charge.
Below, you can find a list of telephone numbers to call when you need to find out if someone you know is arrested:
City Police Department Numbers
- Las Vegas Police Department: 505-425-7504
- Taos Police Department: (575) 758-2216
- Santa Fe Police Department: (405) 297-1190
- Santa Rosa Police Department: (575) 472-3605
- Raton City Police Department: (575) 445-2704
- Mora Police Department: (320) 679-5170
- Española Police Department: (505) 747-6002
New Mexico State Police Numbers
- Las Vegas: (505) 425-6771
- Pecos: (505) 757-2297
- Santa Fe: (505) 757-2297
- Española: (505) 753-2277
- Chimayo: (505) 351-0098
- Taos: (575) 758-8878
If you cannot locate your family member in any of these locations, but know that he or she was arrested, speak with a criminal defense firm. We can utilize our resources to help you locate them faster and move onward to establish your legal options. If you do find him or her, your next step is asking the police about the arrest.
Questions to Ask Police When You Locate Your Loved One
When a family member is arrested, the first step to take is finding out as much information as possible about the incident. This information will help you understand which courts and police departments are processing him or her, but you will also have some information to bring to the defense lawyer you are hiring.
Ask the police or sheriff’s department the following information:
- What charges are pending against him or her
- The date, time, and location of the arrest
- The name of the arresting officer and badge number
- Where your loved one is being detained
- The date of the first scheduled court appearance
- Any other details that they can provide
Please write down the answers to these questions and save them for future reference. Once locating your family member, you will at least have reassurance in knowing where they are, as ironic as that may sound. While an arrest is a frightening thing, try to keep in mind that your family member is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, even if it does not seem that way.
Check out my article, “How to Respond If You Are Falsely Accused of a Crime,” for more information.
Find Out Someone You Know Is Arrested? Get Legal Help
The first instinct of any parent, spouse, partner, and friend is to jump to the aid of your loved one. Perhaps you even feel partial to the circumstances that led up to the arrest. Get your loved one legal help, but do not allow your emotions to get the best of you. Stay as cool-headed with the police as you can and avoid jeopardizing the case.
When a family member or friend is arrested, it is vital to ensure that you speak with a defense lawyer as soon as possible. Depending upon the charges and circumstances, we can look for ways to get him or her out of jail and protect their rights when dealing with the criminal justice system.
Get started by requesting a Free Case Strategy Session today with Grano Law Offices, P.C. through our online contact form or calling (505) 426-8711.
