Vigil-Maldonado Detention Center Colfax County Inmate Bail & Bonds
Colfax County bail and bond: the Raton jail on Hereford Street
Arrests in Raton, Springer, Cimarron, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest and Maxwell lead to the Colfax County Detention Center, 444 Hereford St., Raton, 575-445-3691. Check custody with the Colfax County Inmate Search.
Does the Raton jail house people from other counties?
It does. Union County has no jail and sends its arrests here. San Miguel County also agreed in 2021 to pay a daily rate to send some pretrial inmates to Raton (2021 report).
Could someone get out of the Raton jail tonight without a judge?
For some minor charges, yes. Staff picked by the court can release a person on a signed promise to return (Rule 6-408). That fast track is closed for DWI, stalking, battery, domestic violence and protection order violations.
Is bail set by a list of charges here?
Colfax judges can't use one. New Mexico requires a judge to look at each person (Rule 5-401, part E).
What is the timeline after an arrest?
Probable cause review within 48 hours for an arrest made without a warrant (Rule 6-203). Release conditions within 3 days for someone in this jail, or 5 days for a person housed out of county (Rule 5-401).
How does a money bond work in Colfax County?
First, the judge has to explain why money is needed at all. The cheapest option, a 10% cash deposit, must be tried before a property bond, and a property bond before a full bond. On a full bond, the family decides between cash and a bondsman (Rule 5-401). Look up a bondsman's license through the insurance office.
Can a felony defendant be denied release?
Only after a detention hearing that the prosecutor asks for and must win with strong proof (Art. II, Sec. 13; Rule 5-409). In 2026 lawmakers weighed making detention easier for violent felonies, and it failed (HJR 2 analysis).
Which courts hear Colfax County cases?
Colfax has one magistrate court in Raton and another in Springer: 1413 S. Second St., Raton, 575-445-2220, and 300 Colbert Ave., Springer, 575-483-2417 (court list). Felony cases move to the Eighth Judicial District (NMSA 34-6-1).
Where can we find a public defender?
The public defender assigns Colfax cases through the courts rather than its Taos office (LOPD). Ask for one at your first hearing.
What if a teenager is arrested in Raton?
Youth cases run under the Children's Code (NMSA 32A-2-13). There is no certified youth center in northeast New Mexico; the four are in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Lovington and Aztec (CYFD).
Where do federal cases go?
To the U.S. District Court clerk in Santa Fe, 505-988-6481 (federal court).
Who will confirm the bond amount?
The detention center, 575-445-3691.
Colfax County bail contacts
- Jail
- 444 Hereford St., Raton; 575-445-3691
- Magistrate courts
- Raton 575-445-2220; Springer 575-483-2417
- Inmate search
- Colfax County Inmate Search
Vigil-Maldonado Detention Center Colfax County
Address:
444 Hereford Ave.
Raton, NM 87740
Phone:
505-445-3691
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Colfax County
What kind of bonds are accepted in Colfax County?
Who can set bail in Colfax County?
When is bail set in Colfax County New Mexico?
Does Colfax County have bail?
In 2016, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to almost completely eliminate the cash bail system. The change was implemented to prevent low-risk offenders from remaining in jail before trial because they could not afford bail.
Since this recent change in law, the Colfax County judges are now able to deny bail in felony cases for the more “dangerous” accused. This in consequence keeps more, but not all people in jail without any option for pre-trial release. The arrested are either released on a personal recognizance bond or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public. Very few are released on bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Colfax County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in Colfax County.
Who can set bail in Colfax County?
Defendants are either released or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public.
When is bail set in Colfax County New Mexico?
The determination to hold or release a defendant pretrial must be made within 3 days for those being held in a local detention center.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Colfax County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Colfax County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Vigil-Maldonado Detention Center Colfax County until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different. The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions. Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
What are the different types of bonds in Colfax County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in New Mexico, and it is up to the judge to determine which bond will be accepted.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Colfax County have bail?
In 2016, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to almost completely eliminate the cash bail system. The change was implemented to prevent low-risk offenders from remaining in jail before trial because they could not afford bail.
Since this recent change in law, the Colfax County judges are now able to deny bail in felony cases for the more “dangerous” accused. This in consequence keeps more, but not all people in jail without any option for pre-trial release. The arrested are either released on a personal recognizance bond or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public. Very few are released on bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Colfax County?
Cash bonds or personal recognizance bonds are recognized in Colfax County.
Who can set bail in Colfax County?
Defendants are either released or held based on a judge’s assessment of the danger they pose to the public.
When is bail set in Colfax County?
The determination to hold or release a defendant pretrial must be made within 3 days for those being held in a local detention center.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Colfax County New Mexico?
There is no bail, however, your attorney may request a second hearing to determine if a defendant is to be released.
In Colfax County New Mexico, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail could be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back. The defendant can also pay bail.
Can bail be paid online in Colfax County New Mexico?
Yes, New Mexico does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: go to the Vigil-Maldonado Detention Center Colfax County for more information about the jails in Colfax County.
What options are there to pay bail in Colfax County New Mexico?
If bail was set, refer to the information on payment:
Will I get all my bond money back in New Mexico?
If bail was set, refer to the information on payment:
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Colfax County?
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front however there might be court fees due.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court can send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in New Mexico?
The Vigil-Maldonado Detention Center Colfax County or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is 10% and cannot be negotiated.