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Rowlett Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Rowlett, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Rowlett, 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 prohibited by law. The Texas Public Information Act upholds the principle that the public has a right to information concerning government affairs and official acts of public officials and employees. Arrest records maintained by the Rowlett Police Department fall under this category of public information, ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and ongoing investigation exemptions under § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code § 58.007.

How to Look Up Rowlett Arrest Records in 2025

The Rowlett Police Department Records Section maintains arrest records and provides several methods for public access. Individuals seeking arrest records in Rowlett may utilize the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Rowlett Police Department Records Section to submit requests for arrest records during regular business hours.

Rowlett Police Department
4401 Rowlett Road
Rowlett, TX 75088
(972) 412-6200
Official Website

Online Requests: The City of Rowlett has implemented a Public Information Request system through which citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records electronically.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Section at the address listed above. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.301, the department must respond to written requests within 10 business days.
Third-Party Databases: While not officially endorsed by the City of Rowlett, commercial databases aggregate public records information, including arrest data from Rowlett and surrounding jurisdictions.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Texas Administrative Code § 70.3.

Contents of a Rowlett Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Rowlett Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and details of an arrest. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, any known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest.
Offense Information: Nature of the alleged criminal violation, including the specific statute or ordinance violated; classification of the offense (misdemeanor or felony); case number assigned by the department.
Processing Data: Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"); fingerprint records; personal property inventory taken at the time of booking.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts; court appearance dates; detention facility location if the individual was remanded to custody.

The Rowlett Municipal Court processes and adjudicates Class C misdemeanor cases that occur within city limits, while more serious offenses are handled by Dallas County courts. The Incident Media Reports published by the Rowlett Police Department provide a summary of recent law enforcement activities, including arrests.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Rowlett is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The Texas Public Information Act serves as the primary statutory authority for public access to government records, including those related to arrests.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. The Rowlett Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Michael Denning, adheres to these statutory requirements while implementing a data-driven approach to public safety and crime reduction.

Exceptions to disclosure may apply in certain circumstances:

Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 552.108
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted
Certain identifying information of peace officers may be withheld under § 552.1175
Information related to victims of certain crimes may be confidential under § 552.132

The Texas Attorney General's Office serves as the arbiter for disputes regarding public information requests. Governmental bodies seeking to withhold information must request a decision from the Attorney General within 10 business days of receiving the request, pursuant to § 552.301.

Limitations on Use of Arrest Records

While arrest records are public information in Rowlett, Texas law imposes certain restrictions on their use, particularly in employment contexts. The Texas Workforce Commission and federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provide guidance on the appropriate use of criminal history information in hiring decisions.

Key limitations include:

Under Texas Occupations Code § 53.021, licensing authorities may only consider convictions directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the licensed occupation
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) requires employers to obtain consent before conducting background checks and to follow specific procedures when taking adverse actions based on such information
Texas Labor Code § 21.002 prohibits employment discrimination based on arrest records that did not result in conviction

Individuals should be aware that unauthorized use of arrest record information may result in civil liability. The Rowlett Police Department's crime statistics and Data-Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety initiatives demonstrate the department's commitment to transparency while respecting legal limitations on information use.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Rowlett

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access and allows the individual to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most contexts.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Rowlett include:

The individual was acquitted of the offense
The individual was convicted and subsequently pardoned
The case was dismissed and the statute of limitations has expired
The individual was arrested but never charged, and the applicable waiting period has passed
The individual successfully completed certain pretrial diversion programs

The expungement process is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Petitioners must file in the district court of the county where the arrest occurred. For Rowlett arrests, this would typically be filed with the Dallas County District Court.

The Rowlett Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors but does not process expungement petitions. Information about payment options for court fees is available on the Municipal Court website, though expungement petitions require separate filing fees with the district court.

Individuals seeking expungement are strongly advised to consult with legal counsel, as the process involves complex procedural requirements and strict statutory deadlines.