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Alvin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Alvin, Texas?

Arrest records are public information in Alvin, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This statute establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental entities is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records concerning governmental processes, decisions, and actions, including law enforcement activities such as arrests.

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Alvin should be aware that while these records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with privacy laws or ongoing investigation exemptions under Texas Government Code § 552.108. Juvenile records, in particular, are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code § 58.007.

How to Look Up Alvin Arrest Records in 2025

The Alvin Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city limits. Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access these records. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches in Alvin:

Visit the Alvin Police Department Records Division: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the Records Division. Alvin Police Department Records Division 1500 South Gordon Street Alvin, TX 77511 281-388-4370 Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Records Division
Brazoria County District Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests may be obtained from the county clerk. Brazoria County District Clerk 111 E. Locust Street Angleton, TX 77515 979-864-1260 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Alvin Municipal Court: For arrests resulting in municipal court cases. Alvin Municipal Court 216 West Sealy Street Alvin, TX 77511 281-388-4278 Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Municipal Court
Online Public Access Systems: The City of Alvin provides limited online access to public records through its official website.
Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service: For statewide criminal history information. Texas DPS Crime Records Service PO Box 4143 Austin, TX 78765 512-424-2000 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors should note that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may apply for record searches, copies, or certifications. A government body may waive or reduce fees if doing so is in the public interest.

Contents of an Alvin Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Alvin Police Department typically contain the following information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including citation of applicable statutes
Booking agency and facility information
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records and unique identifiers
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color, identifying marks)
Arresting officer information
Bail or bond amount and conditions, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available
Warrant information, if the arrest was pursuant to a warrant

In accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to victims of certain offenses.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The legal foundation for public access to arrest records in Alvin is established through multiple statutes and regulations:

Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552): This statute establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain exceptions. Section 552.021 specifically states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102: This provision outlines the requirements for criminal history record information maintained by law enforcement agencies.
City of Alvin Code of Ordinances: The municipal code contains provisions regarding public records and information management.
Federal Freedom of Information Act: While primarily applicable to federal agencies, FOIA principles influence local government transparency practices.

The Alvin Legal Department oversees compliance with these legal requirements and may be consulted regarding questions about record access restrictions or exemptions.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public, several statutory exceptions limit access to certain information:

Ongoing Investigations: Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, information related to an active investigation or prosecution may be withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Juvenile Records: Under Texas Family Code § 58.007, records and files concerning a juvenile, including arrest records, are confidential unless specifically authorized for disclosure.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred.
Orders of Nondisclosure: Records subject to an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 are restricted from public disclosure.
Sealed Records: Court-ordered sealing of records restricts public access according to the terms specified in the sealing order.

The Alvin Police Department and Municipal Court are required to comply with these statutory limitations when responding to public information requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Alvin

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Alvin under specific circumstances outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Eligibility criteria include:

The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
Charges were dismissed or quashed
The person was acquitted of the offense
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The statute of limitations has expired for an offense for which the person was released and no charges were filed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the district court in Brazoria County. Upon granting of an expungement order, all records and files pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and agencies are prohibited from releasing or disclosing any information about the expunged arrest.

The Alvin Legal Department can provide general information about the expungement process, though petitioners are advised that legal representation may be beneficial due to the technical nature of expungement proceedings.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Alvin may utilize public arrest records for background screening purposes, subject to the following regulations:

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): When using third-party consumer reporting agencies to conduct background checks, employers must comply with FCRA requirements including disclosure and authorization.
Texas Workforce Commission Guidelines: Employers must follow state guidelines regarding the use of criminal history information in employment decisions.
Ban the Box Considerations: While Alvin does not currently have a "ban the box" ordinance, employers should be aware of emerging best practices regarding the timing of criminal history inquiries in the hiring process.
Texas Occupations Code § 53.021: This statute governs how licensing authorities may consider criminal history when granting professional licenses.

Users of arrest record information should note that an arrest alone does not indicate guilt, and the Alvin Municipal Court records should be consulted to determine case disposition.