Texas Arrest Records
Is Texas an Open Arrest Records State?
Texas is an open arrest records state pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). The state maintains a policy of transparency regarding government records, including arrest records, which are accessible to members of the public. This legislative framework establishes that arrest records are considered public information unless specifically exempted by law.
The Texas Public Information Act operates under the presumption that government records should be available to the public. Section 552.001 of the Texas Government Code explicitly states that it is "the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:
- Promotes accountability within law enforcement agencies
- Enables citizens to monitor public safety conditions in their communities
- Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes
- Supports journalistic investigations into criminal justice matters
- Provides necessary information for legal proceedings and court cases
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state, maintaining records of arrests reported by local law enforcement agencies throughout Texas.
How to Look Up Texas Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Texas arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the primary statewide criminal history database, accessible through multiple methods:
Online Database Searches
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division provides a centralized criminal history search system. Individuals may conduct name-based searches through the DPS Criminal History Name Search portal, which requires payment of a statutory fee per Texas Government Code § 411.083.
Texas Department of Public Safety
5805 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 424-2000
Texas Department of Public Safety
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding state holidays)
County-Level Record Searches
Each county maintains records of arrests occurring within its jurisdiction. The county clerk or district clerk typically serves as the custodian of these records.
Travis County District Clerk's Office
1000 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 854-9457
Travis County District Clerk
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding county holidays)
Harris County District Clerk's Office
201 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 927-5800
Harris County District Clerk
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding county holidays)
Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Local police departments and sheriff's offices maintain records of arrests they have conducted. These agencies typically provide public access terminals or formal request procedures for obtaining arrest information.
Austin Police Department
715 E. 8th St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 974-5000
Austin Police Department
Records Division Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Harris County Sheriff's Office
1200 Baker St.
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 221-6000
Harris County Sheriff's Office
Records Division Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Written Requests
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.301, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to the appropriate governmental body. These requests must be sufficiently specific to identify the desired records and may be submitted via mail, email, or in person.
Contents of a Texas Arrest Record
Texas arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following components:
Biographical Information
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- State identification number (SID) if previously arrested
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Details
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest (address or coordinates)
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number
- Fingerprint classification
- Mugshot photograph
Criminal Charges
- Offense description as defined by Texas Penal Code
- Offense classification (felony grade or misdemeanor class)
- Statute citation
- Case number assigned by prosecuting authority
- Court of jurisdiction
Case Disposition Information
- Current status of charges (pending, dismissed, etc.)
- Bail or bond information
- Court appearance dates
- Final disposition (if resolved)
- Sentence information (if convicted)
It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005, if the arrest pertains to a registrable sex offense, additional information regarding sex offender registration requirements may be included in the record.
Understanding the Texas Open Records Act
The Texas Open Records Act, formally known as the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), is codified in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records, including arrest records, throughout the state.
Core Principles of the Act
The TPIA operates under several fundamental principles:
- Government information is presumed to be available to the public
- Governmental bodies bear the burden of proving exceptions to disclosure
- Requests must be responded to "promptly" (defined as without unreasonable delay)
- Governmental bodies must request Attorney General decisions when withholding information
- Requestors have the right to sue if information is withheld without proper authority
Statutory Exceptions Relevant to Arrest Records
While arrest records are generally public, certain information may be withheld under specific exceptions:
- Information related to ongoing criminal investigations (§ 552.108)
- Information that would interfere with prosecution (§ 552.108)
- Certain juvenile records as protected by Family Code (§ 552.147)
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (§ 552.101)
- Confidential informant identities (§ 552.108)
Requesting Process Under TPIA
The Texas Attorney General's Office oversees compliance with the TPIA and provides guidance on proper procedures:
- Requests must be in writing (may be electronic)
- No specific form is required, but requests must be clear and specific
- Governmental bodies must respond promptly (generally within 10 business days)
- If information is to be withheld, the governmental body must seek an Attorney General opinion within 10 business days
- Reasonable fees may be charged for copies or extensive data compilation
Office of the Attorney General - Open Records Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
(512) 463-2100
Texas Attorney General
Expungement of Arrest Records in Texas
Texas law provides mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances as governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement is a legal process that removes arrest records from public access and allows individuals to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest.
Eligibility Criteria
Pursuant to Article 55.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:
- The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
- Charges were filed but later dismissed
- The person was acquitted of charges (found "not guilty")
- The person was convicted but later pardoned
- The person completed certain deferred adjudication programs for specific misdemeanors
- The arrest was due to identity theft
- The statute of limitations has expired and no charges were filed
Expungement Procedure
The expungement process requires adherence to specific statutory procedures:
- Filing a petition for expunction in the district court of the county where the arrest occurred
- Payment of required filing fees (typically $200-$400 depending on jurisdiction)
- Notification of all agencies that may possess records related to the arrest
- Attendance at a court hearing (if required by the court)
- Issuance of an order of expunction if the court grants the petition
Travis County District Court
1000 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 854-9457
Travis County Courts
Harris County District Court
201 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 927-5800
Harris County Courts
Order of Nondisclosure Alternative
For individuals who do not qualify for expungement, an order of nondisclosure may be available under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. This alternative does not remove records but restricts public access to them, allowing access only by criminal justice agencies and certain authorized entities.
How to Find Local Arrests in Texas
Members of the public seeking information about local arrests in Texas have multiple resources available through official channels. These resources provide access to arrest information at the county and municipal levels throughout the state.
County Sheriff's Office Resources
County sheriff's offices maintain booking logs and arrest records for their jurisdictions. Many larger counties offer online inmate lookup systems:
Harris County inmate information system provides real-time data on current inmates and recent arrests.
Harris County Sheriff's Office
1200 Baker St.
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 221-6000
Harris County Sheriff's Office
District and County Clerk Records
Court records related to arrests are maintained by district and county clerks:
Travis County case information and records portal allows searches of criminal cases filed in Travis County courts.
Travis County District Clerk
1000 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 854-9457
Travis County District Clerk
Statewide Criminal History Searches
The Texas Department of Public Safety provides centralized criminal history information:
Criminal history name search portal allows for statewide searches of arrest records.
Texas criminal history record databases provide comprehensive information about arrest records across the state.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services background check system offers additional verification options for certain purposes.
Crime Records Division of the Department of Public Safety serves as the central repository for criminal history information in Texas.
