> >Anahuac Arrest Records

Anahuac Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Anahuac, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Anahuac, 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 accessible to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. Arrest records maintained by the Chambers County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within Anahuac fall under this public information framework.

The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:

Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
Maintains public oversight of detention practices
Facilitates informed community awareness
Supports the constitutional right to public trials
Enables background verification for employment and housing

Individuals seeking arrest records may access them through designated governmental channels in accordance with Texas Administrative Code § 552.021, which states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body.

How to Look Up Anahuac Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public have several methods available to obtain arrest records in Anahuac, Texas. The Chambers County Records Search system provides a primary access point for these documents. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:

Visit the Chambers County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest record information Chambers County Sheriff's Office 201 North Court Anahuac, Texas 77514 Phone: 409-267-2500 Jail Division Information Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Submit a written request to the County Clerk's Office, which maintains certain court records related to arrests Chambers County Clerk's Office 404 Washington Avenue Anahuac, Texas 77514 Phone: 409-267-2400 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Access the Chambers County online records portal, which provides digital access to court records including those related to arrests and subsequent proceedings
Submit a Public Information Act request pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, which requires governmental bodies to promptly produce public information for inspection or duplication

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information such as the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Certain fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261.

Contents of an Anahuac Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Chambers County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. These records generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of booking
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records collected during processing
Case number and tracking information
Custody status information
Bond amount if applicable
Court assignment information

The County Court at Law and Justice of the Peace courts maintain subsequent case processing records that may reference the initial arrest. These records may contain additional information regarding court appearances, case disposition, and sentencing information for misdemeanor cases.

Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 552.108, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records if its release would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or endanger an individual.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Anahuac is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and federal levels. The Texas Public Information Act, codified in Government Code Chapter 552, provides the primary statutory basis for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests.

Key legal provisions affecting arrest record access include:

Texas Government Code § 552.021 establishes the presumption that all government information is public unless specifically excepted
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005 requires certain information about registered sex offenders to be publicly accessible
Federal Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) may apply to records held by federal law enforcement agencies operating within Chambers County
Texas Government Code § 411.135 governs the dissemination of criminal history record information

The Chambers County Clerk's Office serves as the official custodian of court records related to criminal proceedings following arrests. These records are maintained in accordance with Texas Local Government Code § 203.002, which establishes records management requirements for local governments.

Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Anahuac, certain statutory exceptions and judicial orders may limit access to specific information. The following restrictions may apply to arrest record requests:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 17 years of age) are subject to confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code § 58.007
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108
Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection
Information that would compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel may be redacted
Certain personal identifying information may be redacted to prevent identity theft
Medical and mental health information contained in arrest records is protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws

The Chambers County Court at Law may issue specific orders regarding the confidentiality of certain case information that would affect public access to related arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Anahuac

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and provides a legal mechanism to remove arrest information from public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Chambers County include:

The arrest did not result in a final conviction
The charges were dismissed or quashed
The individual was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
The individual was pardoned for the offense
The statute of limitations has expired for an uncharged arrest
The arrest resulted from identity theft or false identification

To initiate the expungement process, eligible individuals must file a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Chambers County. This legal proceeding requires:

Proper documentation of the arrest and subsequent case disposition
Payment of required filing fees
Notification to all agencies that may possess records of the arrest
Attendance at a court hearing if scheduled by the presiding judge

Upon granting an expunction order, all records of the arrest must be destroyed or returned to the petitioner by the agencies that maintain them. Following successful expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.03.