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South Padre Island Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in South Padre Island, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in South Padre Island, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government information, including arrest records, is available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records documenting the activities of public agencies, including law enforcement entities operating within South Padre Island.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the South Padre Island Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies. These records typically become available after the booking process has been completed and the information has been entered into the official record-keeping system. Certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Texas law, particularly in cases involving juveniles or ongoing investigations.

How to Look Up South Padre Island Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for obtaining arrest records in South Padre Island. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:

Visit the South Padre Island Police Department Records Division: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the department headquarters.

South Padre Island Police Department
4601 Padre Boulevard
South Padre Island, TX 78597
(956) 761-5454
Official Police Department Website
Cameron County Courthouse: Court records related to arrests may be accessed at the county level.

Cameron County Courthouse
974 E. Harrison Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 544-0800
South Padre Island Municipal Court: For Class C misdemeanors and municipal violations.

South Padre Island Municipal Court
4601 Padre Boulevard
South Padre Island, TX 78597
(956) 761-3225
Municipal Court Information
Online Records Request: The Records Division of the South Padre Island Police Department processes requests for public information. Requestors may submit formal requests through the city's official website.
Texas Department of Public Safety: For statewide criminal history information.

Texas DPS Crime Records Service
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2000

When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific arrest record sought, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and other identifying information if available.

Contents of a South Padre Island Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the South Padre Island Police Department and other law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to standard record-keeping practices, these documents generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking information including processing date, time, and facility
Booking photograph (mugshot) and fingerprint records
Custody status information
Bond or bail amount established, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available
Prior arrest history, if relevant and included in the report

The South Padre Island Police Department Jail Division maintains temporary holding facilities and processes individuals following arrest before transfer to longer-term detention facilities when necessary.

Expungement of Arrest Records in South Padre Island

The expungement process in South Padre Island follows Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which provides legal mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Expungement (also referred to as "expunction" in Texas law) permanently removes all records and files relating to an arrest from government agency records.

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01, individuals may qualify for expungement if:

They were arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were dismissed or quashed due to mistake, false information, or other similar reason
They were acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
They were convicted but subsequently pardoned
They completed a pretrial diversion program for certain offenses
The statute of limitations has expired for the offense for which they were arrested

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred. For South Padre Island arrests, this would typically be filed with the Cameron County District Court. The petition must include:

Detailed personal information of the petitioner
Information about the arrest and charges
Grounds for expungement under Texas law
Documentation supporting eligibility

Upon filing, a hearing date will be set, and all agencies holding records related to the arrest must be notified. If the court grants the expungement, all agencies must comply with the order to destroy or return all records related to the arrest.

For arrests that do not qualify for expungement, individuals may alternatively seek an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes.

South Padre Island Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in South Padre Island, Texas?

How to Look Up South Padre Island Arrest Records in 2025

Contents of a South Padre Island Arrest Record

Expungement of Arrest Records in South Padre Island

Search Arrest Records in South Padre Island