Arrest records are public in Plano, 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 public unless expressly exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and provides citizens with the right to access public records, including arrest information. Law enforcement agencies in Plano maintain these records as part of their official duties and make them available to the public in accordance with state regulations.
Members of the public may access arrest records through various official channels, including the Plano Police Department and Collin County offices. These records typically become available after the booking process is completed and the information is entered into the relevant databases. While most arrest information is public, certain details may be redacted or restricted if they pertain to ongoing investigations, juvenile cases, or other protected categories as specified under Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158.
The City of Plano provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following official channels:
In-person requests can be submitted at the Plano Police Department headquarters:
Plano Police Department
909 14th Street
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 424-5678
Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Open records requests may be submitted through the Police Department's Public Information Office. Requestors must complete the appropriate form specifying the information sought.
The Collin County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable online database of current inmates and recent arrests:
Collin County Sheriff's Office
4300 Community Avenue
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 547-5100
Hours: 24 hours daily (Records Division: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Municipal Court records related to arrests for certain violations may be accessed through the Plano Municipal Court:
Plano Municipal Court
900 E. 15th Street
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 941-2199
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information in response to proper requests. The standard timeframe for response is within 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time.
Arrest records maintained by the Plano Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in Collin County typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following elements:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest • Detailed description of the alleged offense(s), including applicable Texas Penal Code sections • Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony) and degree • Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s) • Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records • Case or incident report number for reference • Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable • Court assignment information • Disposition of the case, if available
The Plano Municipal Court maintains records for violations within its jurisdiction, including certain misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations as specified under Texas Government Code § 29.003. More serious offenses are typically processed through the Collin County court system.
Records pertaining to municipal violations may contain additional information regarding court appearances, fine payments, and compliance with court orders. These records are maintained separately from criminal arrest records but may be referenced in comprehensive background checks.
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement is a court-ordered process that, when granted, requires all agencies possessing records of the arrest to destroy or return those records to the individual.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Plano 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 of Texas or the President of the United States • Completion of certain pretrial diversion programs • Arrests for certain misdemeanors committed by minors who have satisfied statutory requirements
The expungement process requires filing a petition in the district court of the county where the arrest occurred. For Plano arrests, petitions are typically filed with:
Collin County District Court
2100 Bloomdale Road
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 548-4320
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and the grounds for expungement. If granted, the court issues an order of expunction directing all agencies to destroy or return records related to the arrest. Following successful expungement, individuals may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.
An alternative to expungement is an order of nondisclosure, which seals records from public view but allows access by law enforcement and certain governmental agencies. This remedy is available under Texas Government Code § 411.081 for individuals who have successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for certain offenses.