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Fort Hood Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fort Hood, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Fort Hood, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental entities is presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by law. The Act ensures transparency in government operations and provides citizens with the right to access records maintained by public bodies, including those pertaining to arrests made within Fort Hood jurisdiction.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision applies to arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies operating within Fort Hood, including the Fort Hood Military Police and surrounding municipal police departments.

Certain exceptions may apply to the release of arrest information, particularly in cases involving:

Ongoing investigations where disclosure might interfere with law enforcement proceedings
Records related to juveniles (under 17 years of age)
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records sealed by court order

Requesters seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is generally public, specific details may be redacted in accordance with applicable exemptions under Texas law.

How to Look Up Fort Hood Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Fort Hood arrest records. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following methods:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies

Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the appropriate law enforcement agency that processed the arrest. For arrests within Fort Hood military jurisdiction:

Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services Building 23020, 761st Tank Battalion Avenue Fort Hood, TX 76544 Phone: (254) 287-4001

For arrests in surrounding communities:

Killeen Police Department 3304 Community Boulevard Killeen, TX 76542 Phone: (254) 501-8800

Operating hours for records requests are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding federal holidays.

County Court Records

The Bell County Clerk's Office maintains records related to criminal cases resulting from arrests:

Bell County Clerk's Office Bell County Justice Center 1201 Huey Road Belton, TX 76513 Phone: (254) 933-5197

Requesters may access public information requests through official government portals. Many records can be searched via public terminals at the courthouse during regular business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday).

Online Resources

The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) database that includes arrest data. Authorized users may access this information through the secure website. Additionally, third-party services aggregate public records, though these typically require payment and may not contain complete or current information.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records, including arrest information.

Contents of a Fort Hood Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in the Fort Hood area contain specific information as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. These records typically include:

Complete legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Distinguishing marks such as tattoos or scars
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including citation of applicable statutes
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Arresting agency and officer information
Case or incident number
Custody status
Bond information, if applicable

In accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, Rule § 27.1, law enforcement agencies must maintain these records in a standardized format to ensure consistency across jurisdictions. The level of detail available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable privacy laws.

Military arrests conducted by Fort Hood authorities may contain additional information specific to military justice procedures, including unit assignment and military occupational specialty of the arrested individual.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fort Hood

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 provides legal mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals may petition for expungement if their situation meets one of the following criteria:

An arrest occurred, but no charges were filed
Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program
The person was acquitted of the charges at trial
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The statute of limitations expired before formal charges were filed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the district court in Bell County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include:

Detailed personal information of the petitioner
Specific information about the arrest and charges
The tracking incident number and arresting agency
A statement that the petitioner is eligible for expunction

Upon approval of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest must destroy or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest. This includes the Municipal Court of Killeen and other relevant jurisdictions.

Military personnel arrested by Fort Hood authorities should note that expungement of records under Texas law may not affect records maintained under federal military jurisdiction, which may require separate procedures.

The expungement process typically requires legal representation to navigate successfully. The Bell County Bar Association can provide referrals to attorneys specializing in expungement cases:

Bell County Bar Association 1402 S. 31st Street Temple, TX 76504 Phone: (254) 774-2000

Limitations on Access to Fort Hood Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public, several statutory limitations restrict access to certain information. The Texas Public Information Act provides specific exemptions under Texas Government Code § 552.101-152 that may apply to arrest records, including:

Information related to ongoing criminal investigations (§ 552.108)
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (§ 552.101)
Information concerning juvenile offenders under the age of 17 (Family Code § 58.007)
Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order

Additionally, the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) may restrict access to arrest records involving military personnel at Fort Hood when those records are maintained in federal systems.

Law enforcement agencies may redact certain information from arrest records before releasing them to the public, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information
Information that might compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel

Requesters denied access to arrest records may appeal the decision through procedures outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.301-309, which includes requesting an opinion from the Texas Attorney General's Office.

Legal Uses of Fort Hood Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from Fort Hood and surrounding jurisdictions may be utilized for various legitimate purposes as permitted under Texas law. Authorized uses include:

Background checks for employment, subject to limitations imposed by Texas Labor Code § 21.051-055
Tenant screening by property owners and managers
Personal research and information verification
Media reporting on matters of public interest
Academic and statistical research (typically using anonymized data)

Users of arrest record information should be aware that the Texas Business and Commerce Code § 20.05 prohibits reporting of arrest records older than seven years for employment purposes in certain circumstances. Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) imposes federal restrictions on how consumer reporting agencies may report arrest information.

The Copperas Cove Municipal Court and other local jurisdictions maintain public access terminals where citizens may review case information resulting from arrests, subject to applicable privacy restrictions.

Misuse of arrest record information, including using such information for harassment, discrimination, or identity theft, may result in civil and criminal penalties under both Texas and federal law.