Calhoun County, Texas Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Calhoun County, Texas?
Arrest records are public documents in Calhoun County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions designed to protect privacy, security, and other compelling interests.
Members of the public may access these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information gathering. The maintenance and accessibility of these records serve the public interest by promoting transparency in law enforcement operations and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies are required by law to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request. Requestors should note that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and statutory exemptions.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Calhoun County?
Arrest records in Calhoun County are accessible through various online platforms. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows for the retrieval of arrest information. Additionally, the County Clerk's office provides access to court records associated with arrests through their online portal.
Online accessibility is governed by Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 205, which establishes standards for electronic access to public information. These regulations ensure that digital records maintain the same level of accessibility as their physical counterparts while implementing appropriate security measures.
Users should be aware that online systems may not contain complete historical records, as digitization of older documents remains ongoing. Furthermore, recent arrests may experience processing delays before appearing in online databases. For comprehensive searches, particularly for records predating digital systems, supplementing online searches with in-person requests is advisable.
The online systems typically require basic identifying information such as name, date of birth, or case number to facilitate searches. Some platforms may implement user registration requirements or nominal fees for certain search functionalities in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which permits cost recovery for record provision.
How to Look Up Calhoun County Arrest Records in 2025
Individuals seeking arrest records in Calhoun County have multiple official channels through which to obtain this information:
Calhoun County Sheriff's Office: The primary repository for arrest records within the county's jurisdiction. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through their designated online portal.
Calhoun County Sheriff's Office
211 S. Ann Street
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
(361) 553-4646
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMCalhoun County District Clerk's Office: Maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Records requests can be submitted using their standardized form.
Calhoun County District Clerk
211 S. Ann Street, Suite 107
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
(361) 553-4651
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTexas Department of Public Safety: Provides statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Calhoun County, through their Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2000Municipal Police Departments: Local police departments within Calhoun County maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions.
Port Lavaca Police Department
200 N. Virginia Street
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
(361) 552-3788
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021, requestors must provide sufficient identifying information to locate the specific records sought. Agencies may require completion of standardized request forms and payment of reasonable fees as authorized under § 552.261. Fee schedules are established in accordance with guidelines from the Office of the Attorney General.
Contents of a Calhoun County Arrest Record
Arrest records in Calhoun County contain standardized information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity, height, weight, and other physical identifiers of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); and statutory authority for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific offenses charged, including citation of applicable Texas Penal Code sections; classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony); and degree/level of each charge.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint identification data, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during processing.
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release conditions, bail or bond amounts, and relevant court dates.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including pending court appearances, dismissals, convictions, or acquittals when available.
Agency Information: Identification of all law enforcement and correctional agencies involved in the arrest and subsequent processing.
The comprehensiveness of information may vary based on the stage of criminal proceedings and the specific policies of the maintaining agency. Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.130-138, which establishes protected categories of information including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Calhoun County
The expungement process in Calhoun County operates under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides legal mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under qualifying circumstances. Expungement (legally termed "expunction" in Texas) permanently destroys records of an arrest, effectively removing them from public and governmental databases.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Calhoun County include:
- Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
- Charges that were dismissed or quashed
- Acquittals by trial or appellate courts
- Pardons by the Governor or President
- Completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
- Arrests for qualifying misdemeanors committed by minors
The expungement petition must be filed in the district court of Calhoun County, specifically:
Calhoun County District Court
211 S. Ann Street
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
(361) 553-4651
The petition must comply with the requirements set forth in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, including detailed information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon filing, the court will schedule a hearing no earlier than 30 days from the filing date. Notice of this hearing must be served to all agencies in possession of the relevant records.
If the court grants the expungement, an order will be issued directing all agencies to destroy or return all records and files related to the arrest. These agencies typically include the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and any other entity known to possess such records.
Individuals with complex cases or multiple arrests should consult with legal counsel, as the expungement process involves strict statutory requirements and procedural rules.
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