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Northlake Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Northlake, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in Northlake, 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 available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating public safety awareness, and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.108, which provides exemptions for information that could interfere with law enforcement proceedings or endanger individuals. Additionally, records pertaining to juveniles or cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order are not publicly accessible.

How to Look Up Northlake Arrest Records in 2025

The Town of Northlake provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official procedures:

Submit a public information request directly to the Northlake Police Department. Requests must be submitted in writing and may be delivered in person, by mail, or through the town's online portal.
Visit the Northlake Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit requests in person. Staff members are available to assist with proper completion of request forms.
Contact the Denton County Clerk's Office for arrest records that have been processed through the county court system. The county maintains records of all arrests processed within its jurisdiction.
Access the Denton County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system for information regarding individuals currently in custody following arrest in Northlake or other areas within the county.

Northlake Police Department
1400 FM 407
Northlake, TX 76226
(940) 648-4804
Official Police Department Website

Denton County Clerk's Office
1450 E. McKinney Street, Suite 1100
Denton, TX 76209
(940) 349-2010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Contents of a Northlake Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Northlake Police Department and associated judicial entities contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including applicable Texas Penal Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including processing agency and facility
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records collected during processing
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
Case disposition information, if available
Bond amount and status
Court appearance dates and locations

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including details that might compromise ongoing investigations or endanger witnesses.

Legal Framework for Public Records in Texas

The accessibility of arrest records in Northlake is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at the state level. The Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) serves as the primary statutory authority regulating public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is defined as "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business" by a governmental body. The statute establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless specifically exempted by law.

The TPIA establishes specific procedures for requesting information:

Governmental bodies must promptly produce public information upon request
Agencies have 10 business days to respond to requests or seek an Attorney General opinion
Reasonable fees may be charged for document reproduction and staff time
Requestors cannot be asked to explain the purpose of their request

Law enforcement agencies in Northlake, including the Police Department, must comply with these statutory requirements while balancing public access with legitimate privacy and security concerns as outlined in applicable exemptions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Northlake

The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Northlake. Expungement proceedings are governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
The individual was acquitted of charges at trial
The person was convicted but later pardoned
The statute of limitations for the offense has expired without charges being filed
The arrest resulted from identity theft

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the district court in Denton County. Upon approval, all records of the arrest are removed from public and governmental databases, and the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.03.

Denton County District Clerk
1450 E. McKinney Street, Suite 1200
Denton, TX 76209
(940) 349-2200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Records

While arrest records in Northlake are generally public, Texas law establishes important exceptions and limitations to protect certain categories of information. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Juvenile records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code Chapter 58, with limited access permitted only to authorized agencies and individuals.
Records pertaining to arrests that have been expunged pursuant to Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure are removed from public access and may not be disclosed by governmental agencies.
Information related to victims of certain offenses, particularly those involving sexual assault or family violence, receives special protection under Texas Government Code § 552.138.
Records involving ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108 if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be withheld under common law privacy protections recognized by Texas courts.

The Northlake Police Department Records Division evaluates each request for arrest records in accordance with these statutory and common law restrictions to ensure compliance with applicable confidentiality requirements.

Municipal Court Records in Northlake

The Northlake Municipal Court maintains records related to Class C misdemeanor offenses, including certain arrests that occur within town jurisdiction. These records are distinct from those maintained by the Police Department but may contain overlapping information regarding arrests for municipal violations.

Municipal Court records typically include:

Citations issued by Northlake Police officers
Arrest information for Class C misdemeanor violations
Court appearance dates and outcomes
Fine and fee payment records
Disposition information for municipal cases

Members of the public may access these records by contacting the Municipal Court clerk during regular business hours or by utilizing the online case search system provided by the court.

Northlake Municipal Court
1500 Commons Circle, Suite 300
Northlake, TX 76226
(940) 242-5710
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Citation & Payment Information