Texas Arrest Records

Texas arrest records bear details about arrests that occurred within the state. Typically, such records are compiled by the sheriff's offices or police departments—agencies responsible for most arrests in Texas. These agencies also provide public access to arrest records in accordance with the law.

A typical arrest record in Texas includes information about an arrested person, such as their Social Security number, name, alias(es), race, sex, age, occupation, last known address, photograph, and physical condition at the time of the arrest. Other details one may find in an arrest record include:

• The offense for which the suspect was arrested
• Location of the arrest
• Time of occurrence
• Name(s) of the arresting officer(s)
• Bail amount, if applicable
• Pending court hearing dates
• Booking information

Are Arrest Records Public in Texas?

Yes. Members of the public can examine or copy Texas arrest records under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552). However, the law only grants public access to basic information in an arrest record. Some records or information are exempt from the public's right of access.

For example, records whose disclosure would jeopardize crime detection, investigation, or prosecution are deemed confidential in Texas per Section 552.108(a)(1) of the Texas Government Code. In addition, juvenile arrest records are inaccessible to the public.

How Do I Look Up Arrest Records in Texas?

Individuals may need to look up an arrest record in Texas for different reasons. The good news is that a researcher can explore several options to find arrest records within the state.

Individuals who need to obtain their arrest records may seek a nationwide search through the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Division of Criminal Justice Information Services. The department provides rap sheets—which carry notations or descriptions of arrests—to their owners. An interested person can forward a records request together with their fingerprints to the FBI for $18.

Members of the public who require Texas-only arrest records can search the Department of Public Safety's Criminal History Conviction Name Search database. This database provides arrests, prosecutions, and dispositions for Class B misdemeanors or greater. It may also include a Class C arrest record if it was reported to the department. Note that a user account is needed to access the online repository. Each search on the platform costs a credit. (Presently, a credit costs $3.07.) The DPS can also be reached at (855) 481-7070 or via other support channels for further inquiries. The Texas DPS also provides fingerprint-based record checks for authorized purposes.

A person can also contact their local law enforcement agency for arrest records in their custody. Generally, the respective police department or the sheriff's office can provide further details on how such requests should be made. However, the option to inspect records online or in person is frequently provided. For example, inquirers can request arrest records from the Texas City Police Department online, via mail, or in person. Mail should be addressed to pd-records@texascitytx.gov, while those visiting can stop by:

Texas City Police Department's records division

1004 9th Avenue North

Texas City, TX 77590

Phone: (409) 643-5818

Fax: (409) 945-7923

Moreover, criminal case files in Texas courthouses may include arrest records. As such, citizens may query the court that handled a case to obtain records. However, not all records are available to a non-case party.

Free Arrest Record Search in Texas

Many sheriff's offices in Texas counties provide access to arrest records for free. These records may be viewed online on a sheriff's official website in some counties, and in others, one may need to visit their local police station. However, the requester usually needs details like the arrested person's name or a booking number to retrieve records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Texas?

Indefinitely. An arrest record in Texas is permanent and, as such, will always be a part of a person's record unless the record is sealed or expunged. If a record qualifies for sealing or expungement in Texas, the public's access to it will be limited. Thus, even though the record may still exist in some criminal databases, only authorized parties will be permitted access.

How to Seal Arrest Record in Texas

To block the public's access to an arrest record in Texas, the subject of the record can file for a nondisclosure order (which seals the record) or an expunction (which clears the record). Sections 411.071 through 411.0775 of the Texas Government Code outline the circumstances in which an individual can file for a nondisclosure order in a court of appropriate jurisdiction. Records sealed under such an order are not destroyed; authorized persons may still access them.

To file for a nondisclosure in Texas, an individual must complete the appropriate form, depending on the particular section of Chapter 411 that applies to their case. The form must be submitted to the court alongside other supporting or required documentation and fees. Supporting documentation may include a case's final judgment, a signed order showing deferred adjudication or probation completion, or one's criminal history report.

For instance, persons filing under Section 411.072 must fill out and submit a Letter Requesting an Order of Nondisclosure together with a Proposed Order of Nondisclosure to the court. The petitioner must also pay $28 before the court issues the order (the $28 is not a filing fee) or file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Other forms are available on the Texas judiciary's website or at a local court.

On the other hand, Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure sets forth an offender's eligibility to request for expunction of their Texas arrest records, including where a person was acquitted or pardoned for an offense. Expunction guidelines can be retrieved from the Texas State Law Library's website. However, for an arrest resulting from a warrant issued per Article 42A.751 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, defendants cannot file for an expungement in Texas.