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Alamo Heights Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Alamo Heights, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in Alamo Heights, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Act ensures transparency in governmental operations by providing citizens with access to records documenting the activities of public agencies, including law enforcement entities. Under § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body.

The Alamo Heights Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official duties to protect public safety and document law enforcement activities. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

Promoting accountability of law enforcement agencies
Enabling community awareness of criminal activity
Supporting research and statistical analysis of crime patterns
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing purposes

Individuals seeking arrest records must submit requests in compliance with the procedures established by the Texas Public Information Act and local regulations.

How to Look Up Alamo Heights Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public may access Alamo Heights arrest records through several official channels. The Alamo Heights Police Department serves as the primary custodian of these records and has established the following procedures for public access:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Alamo Heights Police Department, located at 6116 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors should bring valid government-issued identification.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail addressed to: Records Division, Alamo Heights Police Department, 6116 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. Requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific information sought, and applicable time periods.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the Alamo Heights Police Department official website. The online portal requires creation of a user account and submission of a completed request form.
Telephone inquiries regarding the status of records requests may be directed to (210) 822-3321 during normal business hours.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the Alamo Heights Police Department must promptly produce public information in response to an application. "Promptly" means as soon as possible under the circumstances, within a reasonable time, without delay.

Contents of an Alamo Heights Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Alamo Heights Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Biographical data: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), and other identifying characteristics
Arrest details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency case number
Criminal charges: Specific statutory violations alleged; classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony); court docket number if assigned
Booking information: Fingerprints, booking photographs ("mugshots"), personal property inventory
Detention status: Initial bail determination, release conditions, or continued custody information
Procedural documentation: Miranda rights acknowledgment, medical screening results, and other processing records

The Alamo Heights Municipal Court, located at 6116 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209, maintains related judicial records concerning arraignments, bail hearings, and case dispositions. Court records may be accessed separately through the Municipal Court system.

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exceptions provided in the Texas Public Information Act, including information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or data protected by other privacy statutes.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Texas

The management and disclosure of arrest records in Alamo Heights operates within a comprehensive legal framework established by state and federal statutes. The primary legal authorities governing these records include:

Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) establishes the fundamental right of access to government records, including arrest documentation. Under § 552.108, certain law enforcement and prosecutorial records may be withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01 et seq. provides the statutory basis for expungement and non-disclosure of arrest records under specific circumstances. These provisions allow for the removal or restriction of arrest information from public access when legally warranted.

Texas Local Government Code § 202.001 establishes records retention schedules that determine how long arrest records must be maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Alamo Heights Police Department adheres to retention schedules approved by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) imposes additional requirements for the handling of personal information in government records systems, including criminal history information shared through federal databases.

The Alamo Heights Municipal Court administers local ordinances and state laws within its jurisdiction, including the processing of cases resulting from arrests. The court maintains a Schedule of Fines for various offenses that may be consulted by the public.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Alamo Heights

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is a legal process that removes arrest information from public records and, when granted, allows the individual to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest. The statutory authority for expungement is found in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Alamo Heights include:

The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed, and the statute of limitations has expired
The person was acquitted of the charges by a judge or jury ("found not guilty")
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned or otherwise granted relief based on actual innocence
The person completed a pretrial diversion program, and the case was dismissed (in certain jurisdictions)

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Bexar County. The petition must include specific information as required by Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine whether the statutory requirements for expungement have been satisfied.

If expungement is granted, the court will issue an Order of Expunction directing all agencies possessing records of the arrest to destroy or return those records to the court. Following expungement, the arrest is deemed never to have occurred, and the individual may deny the existence of the arrest in most circumstances, including on employment applications.

Legal representation is strongly advised for individuals seeking expungement, as the process involves complex procedural requirements and substantive legal analysis.

Alternatives to Expungement in Texas

When expungement is not available, individuals with arrest records in Alamo Heights may qualify for alternative remedies under Texas law. These alternatives provide different levels of relief while maintaining the official record of arrest:

Order of Nondisclosure: Authorized under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, an order of nondisclosure prohibits criminal justice agencies from disclosing certain criminal history record information to the public. Eligibility typically requires successful completion of deferred adjudication community supervision for qualifying offenses. The nondisclosure process begins with filing a petition in the court that handled the original case.

Sealing of Juvenile Records: Under Texas Family Code Chapter 58, juvenile arrest and court records may be sealed under certain conditions. Once sealed, these records are removed from public access and may only be accessed by specific agencies under limited circumstances.

Pardon: In extraordinary cases, the Governor of Texas may grant a pardon based on the recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. While a pardon does not expunge the record, it may restore certain civil rights and serve as the basis for a subsequent expungement petition.

Each of these alternatives has specific eligibility requirements, procedural steps, and legal consequences. The City of Alamo Heights provides information about local ordinances and procedures through its official website.