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Mesquite Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Mesquite, Texas?

Arrest records in Mesquite, Texas are public documents accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, which establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The TPIA promotes governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to non-confidential documents created or maintained by public 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 Texas Attorney General has consistently upheld that basic arrest information falls within the category of public information that must be disclosed upon request, as referenced in numerous open records decisions including Abbott Open Records Letter Ruling OR2004-9278.

The Mesquite Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established procedures for public information requests.

How to Look Up Mesquite Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Mesquite, Texas in 2025. The City of Mesquite has implemented several access points to facilitate public information requests:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Mesquite Police Department Records Division to submit requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees will apply.

Mesquite Police Department
777 North Galloway Avenue
Mesquite, Texas 75149
Phone: 972-216-6759
Mesquite Police Department Official Website

Municipal Court Inquiries: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be obtained through the Mesquite Municipal Court.

Mesquite Municipal Court
211 Municipal Way
Mesquite, Texas 75149
Phone: 972-216-6206
Mesquite Municipal Court Records

Written Requests: Public information requests may be submitted in writing to the City Secretary's Office, which coordinates with the appropriate departments to fulfill requests in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.301.
Online Access: Limited arrest information may be available through the city's online portal, though comprehensive records typically require formal requests.

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the volume of requests and complexity of the search. Standard fees apply in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70.

Contents of a Mesquite Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Mesquite Police Department contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Texas law and departmental policy. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of booking
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Custody status and bail information, if applicable

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.130, § 552.136, and § 552.138, which protect personal identifying information such as driver's license numbers, social security numbers, and information that could compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel or victims.

The Mesquite Police Department maintains these records in compliance with the Local Government Records Act (Texas Local Government Code Chapters 201-205) and the department's records retention schedule.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Mesquite

Under Texas law, certain individuals may qualify to have their arrest records expunged or sealed from public access. Expungement (also called expunction) is a legal process governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that completely removes arrest records from public and official databases.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Mesquite include:

Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Charges that were dismissed and the statute of limitations has expired
Acquittals by trial or appellate courts
Pardons granted by the Governor of Texas or the President of the United States
Arrests for certain misdemeanors committed by minors who have satisfied statutory requirements

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Dallas County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon approval, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies holding records to destroy or return them to the petitioner.

Alternatively, individuals who do not qualify for expungement may seek an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view but maintains them for law enforcement purposes.

Petitioners are advised that expungement proceedings are complex legal matters that typically require the assistance of qualified legal counsel. The filing fee for an expungement petition in Dallas County District Court ranges from $250 to $300, plus service fees for each agency named in the petition.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Mesquite, Texas law establishes several important limitations on access. These restrictions serve to balance transparency with privacy and public safety concerns:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 17 years of age) are subject to strict confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code Chapter 58
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108
Victim information in cases involving sexual assault, family violence, or stalking receives heightened protection under Texas Government Code § 552.138
Records that have been expunged or subject to an order of nondisclosure are not available to the general public
Certain identifying information including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information must be redacted before release

The Mesquite Police Department and other custodians of records must carefully review and redact protected information before releasing arrest records to the public. Requestors seeking access to records that may contain confidential information should be prepared for potential delays in processing while these reviews are conducted.

Legal Uses of Arrest Record Information

Information obtained from Mesquite arrest records may be utilized for specific lawful purposes as permitted under Texas and federal law. Authorized uses include:

Background screening for employment in positions involving security, financial responsibility, or work with vulnerable populations
Tenant screening by property owners and managers
Due diligence investigations for business transactions
Research and statistical analysis when personally identifying information is removed
Journalistic reporting on matters of public interest

Users of arrest record information should be aware of legal restrictions on how such information may be applied. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 20 impose significant limitations on the use of arrest records for employment and housing decisions. Additionally, Texas Occupations Code § 53.021 establishes guidelines for licensing authorities considering criminal history information.

Improper use of arrest record information may result in civil liability under various state and federal laws protecting privacy and prohibiting discrimination.