Arrest records are public documents in Bartonville, Texas, in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental entities, including law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records of official actions, including those related to law enforcement activities such as arrests.
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." This provision applies to arrest records maintained by the Bartonville Police Department and other relevant law enforcement agencies serving the Bartonville jurisdiction. Members of the public seeking access to these records must follow established procedures for requesting such information.
The Town of Bartonville maintains compliance with state transparency laws while balancing privacy considerations as outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.101, which protects certain confidential information from disclosure. Certain elements of arrest records may be redacted if they fall under statutory exemptions, such as information related to ongoing investigations or juvenile records.
The Town of Bartonville provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:
Submit a formal public information request to the Bartonville Municipal Court, which processes and maintains records of local arrests and citations.
Visit the Bartonville Municipal Court in person during regular business hours to request arrest record information:
Bartonville Municipal Court
1941 E. Jeter Road
Bartonville, TX 76226
940-242-0824
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Contact the Denton County Sheriff's Office for arrests processed at the county level:
Denton County Sheriff's Office
127 N. Woodrow Lane
Denton, TX 76205
940-349-1600
Access the Denton County Jail records for information on individuals currently in custody following arrest in Bartonville.
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 that may assist in locating the correct records. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information.
Arrest records maintained by the Town of Bartonville typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. Standard components of these official records include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred within Bartonville jurisdiction
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including applicable Texas Penal Code sections and offense classifications (misdemeanor or felony)
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s), including badge numbers and departmental affiliations
Booking information, such as processing location, booking number, and timestamp
Photographic documentation (mugshots) taken during the booking process, showing front and profile views of the arrested individual
Biometric data collected, including fingerprints and, in some cases, DNA samples
Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts set, if applicable
Case disposition details if available, such as court dates, hearing outcomes, or case dismissals
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Bartonville Municipal Court are subject to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 203.041.
The expungement process in Bartonville follows Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which provides legal mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Individuals may petition for expungement (also referred to as "expunction" in Texas law) when they meet statutory eligibility requirements.
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01, expungement may be available to individuals who:
The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the district court in Denton County, which has jurisdiction over Bartonville. The petition must contain specific information as mandated by statute, including:
Upon filing, the court will schedule a hearing to determine if the petitioner meets all statutory requirements. If the court grants the expungement, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest will be ordered to destroy or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest. Following successful expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.
Alternative remedies such as orders of nondisclosure may be available for individuals who do not qualify for expungement but have successfully completed deferred adjudication or certain types of probation. These orders limit public access to criminal records while still allowing access by law enforcement and certain governmental agencies.