Murphy Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Murphy, Texas?
Arrest records in Murphy, Texas are considered public information and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which establishes the presumption that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available to citizens. The statute serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring public access to official records maintained by state and local agencies. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body."
The Collin County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over Murphy, maintains these records in accordance with state law. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or in cases where disclosure might compromise public safety.
How to Look Up Murphy Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Murphy, Texas have multiple official channels through which such information may be obtained. The following methods are available for accessing arrest record information:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Murphy Police Department located at 206 N. Murphy Road, Murphy, TX 75094
- Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Telephone: (972) 468-4200
- Proper identification must be presented when requesting records in person
Collin County Sheriff's Office:
- 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney, TX 75071
- Records Division hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Telephone: (972) 547-5100
- Requestors must complete a Public Information Request form
Written Requests:
- Submit formal written requests to the Records Division
- Requests must specify the information sought with reasonable particularity
- Include name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known
- Mail requests to: Murphy Police Department, Attn: Records Division, 206 N. Murphy Road, Murphy, TX 75094
Electronic Requests:
- The City of Murphy accepts public information requests via their official website
- Requests are processed in the order received
- Response times vary according to the complexity of the request and volume of records sought
- Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the city must promptly produce public information in response to an application
Standard processing time for arrest record requests is typically 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time. Fees may apply in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
Contents of a Murphy Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Murphy law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. A typical arrest record includes the following components:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Gender, race, and ethnicity as reported
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color
- Residential address at time of booking
- State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed
- Texas Penal Code sections allegedly violated
- Arrest warrant information (if applicable)
Case processing information:
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint classification
- Booking number and facility
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case disposition (if resolved)
Additional documentation:
- Arresting officer's narrative report
- Property inventory taken at booking
- Medical screening information (with certain privacy protections)
- Detention classification assessment
It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain information may be redacted if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime. Additionally, in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 62.005, information regarding registered sex offenders is subject to specific disclosure requirements and limitations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Murphy
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) or non-disclosure of arrest records maintained by Murphy law enforcement agencies. These remedies are governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Eligibility Criteria for Expungement:
- Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
- Cases dismissed due to lack of probable cause, mistake, or similar reasons
- Acquittals following trial proceedings
- Pardoned offenses
- Arrests for which the statute of limitations has expired without charges being filed
- Successful completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
The expungement process requires the filing of a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Collin County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 55.02, the petition must include:
- The petitioner's full legal name, sex, race, date of birth, driver's license number, social security number, and address
- The offense charged and the date of arrest
- The county where the arrest occurred and the arresting agency
- The cause number and court of jurisdiction (if formal charges were filed)
- A list of all agencies believed to have records subject to expunction
Upon granting of an expunction order, all records and files pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and may not be disclosed by the agencies maintaining such records. The legal effect of an expunction is to restore the person to the position they occupied prior to the arrest, as if it never occurred.
For arrests that do not qualify for expungement, individuals may seek an Order of Non-Disclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for use by criminal justice agencies. Eligibility for non-disclosure typically requires successful completion of deferred adjudication community supervision and satisfaction of waiting periods that vary according to offense classification.
The 86th Texas Legislature enacted changes to expungement law through HB 2048 (effective September 1, 2019), expanding eligibility for certain offenses and modifying procedural requirements. Individuals seeking expungement or non-disclosure are advised to consult with legal counsel familiar with current statutory provisions.
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