Arrest records are public information in Carrollton, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental entities is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The public nature of arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as specified under Texas Government Code § 552.108, particularly in cases involving minors, victims of certain crimes, or ongoing investigations.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Carrollton, Texas. The following methods represent the primary means through which individuals may obtain these public records:
Carrollton Police Department Records Division
1925 E. Jackson Road
Carrollton, TX 75006
(972) 466-3333
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Denton County Clerk's Office
1450 E. McKinney Street, Suite 1100
Denton, TX 76209
(940) 349-2010
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Dallas County Clerk's Office
509 Main Street, Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 653-7099
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Collin County Clerk's Office (for arrests in Carrollton portions within Collin County)
2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2104
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 548-4185
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public information.
Arrest records maintained by Carrollton law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and details of an arrest. Standard components of these records include:
In accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 62.005, additional information may be included for individuals required to register as sex offenders. Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.1175 for protected classes such as peace officers, judges, and family violence victims.
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Carrollton. This process is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Eligibility criteria for expungement typically include:
The expungement process requires the filing of a Petition for Expunction with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred. Upon approval, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to delete or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements, including:
Following successful expungement, Texas law permits individuals to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding, as specified in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 55.03.