Arapahoe County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Arapahoe County, Colorado, is a relatively populous county, with over 600,000 residents and nearly 20,000 business establishments. With Littleton City as its county seat, Arapahoe County covers nearly 800 square miles, of which less than 10% is covered by water. It is also one of the safest counties in Colorado, highlighting the county's commitment to law and order, judicial efficiency, and justice. The county has a structured court system that enables the courts to handle a variety of cases, ranging from minor criminal cases to complex civil disputes and intricate family matters. The administration of justice across the county is primarily through the District Courts, County Courts, and Municipal Courts, with each court having distinct and, sometimes, overlapping roles.

The Eighteenth Judicial District Court, with two locations in Centennial and Littleton, is the District Court serving Arapahoe County. The District Courts primarily hear civil cases without a monetary limit, juvenile matters, and criminal felony cases. The court handles nearly 3,000 felony cases annually. The court also hears probate matters, domestic violence, and mental health cases, and appeals from the County Courts. County Courts, also located in Centennial and Littleton, handle civil cases involving $15,000 or less, misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions, and felony complaints. Municipal Courts primarily handle animal violations, zoning and municipal code violations, and traffic penalties.

The Arapahoe County courts handle a sizable number of cases annually. Notably, in 2021, the District Court received 20,450 case filings and over 20,000 case terminations, indicating an active judicial system, dispute resolution culture, and efficient administration of justice. In 2022, Arapahoe County also recorded only 268 violent crime incidents, of which none were murders, further highlighting the county's efforts at maintaining justice and order. Cases filed and decided by the Arapahoe County courts constitute the county's court records, which are available to members of the public upon request.

In summary, the Arapahoe County courts are integral to the county's governance, operations, structure, and general well-being of its residents, businesses, and values. The courts, having been structured to handle a wide range of cases and decide various legal issues, have a fairly balanced workload that helps with efficiently dealing with cases. The ease of public access to court records also shows the county's dedication to transparency and the importance of public trust in the judicial system. These attributes, and many more, are why the Arapahoe County court system remains a model for other counties across Colorado.