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Roanoke Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Roanoke, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in Roanoke, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental bodies is presumed to be open to the public. Law enforcement agencies in Roanoke, including the Roanoke Police Department, are required to maintain and, upon request, release arrest records as part of their commitment to transparency and public accountability.

The Texas Public Information Act specifically designates arrest records as public information under § 552.021, which states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Members of the public may request access to these records through formal open records requests submitted to the appropriate law enforcement agency or through the municipal court system if the arrest resulted in formal charges.

Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply under § 552.101 through § 552.158 of the Texas Government Code, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. However, the general presumption favors public access to arrest information.

How to Look Up Roanoke Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Roanoke provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to established procedures, individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit open records requests directly to the Roanoke Police Department located at 801 S. Highway 377, Roanoke, TX 76262. Standard identification is required when requesting records in person.
Online Submission: The City of Roanoke maintains an electronic portal through which open records requests may be submitted. This system operates in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.272, which permits governmental bodies to establish reasonable procedures for electronic record requests.
Municipal Court Records: For arrests resulting in formal charges, the Roanoke Municipal Court maintains searchable records of cases within its jurisdiction. The court is located at 609 S. Highway 377, Roanoke, TX 76262.
County Records: For more serious offenses, arrest records may be maintained by the Denton County Sheriff's Office or Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, depending on the jurisdiction of the arrest location within Roanoke city limits.

Processing times for record requests typically range from 10 to 15 business days, in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Texas Public Information Act, which mandates response to requests "promptly" but allows up to 10 business days to seek clarification or attorney general opinions when necessary.

Contents of a Roanoke Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Roanoke Police Department contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27. These records typically include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, and any documented aliases or known associates.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the legal authority under which the arrest was executed.
Offense Information: Specific charges filed against the individual, including citation of relevant Texas Penal Code sections or municipal ordinances allegedly violated.
Processing Data: Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and unique identifying numbers assigned during the booking process.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, release conditions, or continued detention status.
Case Disposition: Ultimate resolution of the case, including dismissal, conviction, acquittal, or diversion program completion, when available.

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005, if the arrest pertains to a registrable sex offense, additional information regarding the nature of the offense and risk assessment may be included in the public record.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Roanoke

The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records maintained by Roanoke law enforcement agencies. This process is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Roanoke include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges being filed
Cases that were dismissed by prosecutors or courts
Acquittals following trial proceedings
Pardons granted by the Governor or President
Successful completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
Arrests for qualifying misdemeanors after prescribed waiting periods

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in either Denton or Tarrant County, depending on the jurisdiction of the original arrest. The petition must comply with the requirements set forth in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, including proper notification to all agencies maintaining records of the arrest.

Upon judicial approval of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest, including the Roanoke Municipal Court and Police Department, are legally mandated to remove all references to the arrest from their public databases and physical records. Following successful expungement, individuals may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most circumstances, including on employment applications.

For arrests not qualifying for complete expungement, Texas law provides an alternative remedy through orders of nondisclosure under Government Code Chapter 411, which seal records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes.

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Roanoke

Arrest records maintained by Roanoke law enforcement agencies carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These implications extend to various aspects of civic life and are governed by both state and federal regulations.

Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, licensing authorities may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for professional licenses, even in cases where no conviction resulted. This applies to numerous professions regulated within Roanoke, including healthcare, education, and security services.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) governs the use of arrest records in employment screening processes. Employers in Roanoke conducting background checks must comply with these federal regulations, which include obtaining written consent before accessing arrest records and providing notice before taking adverse actions based on such records.

For housing applications within Roanoke, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued guidance regarding the use of arrest records in screening tenants for public and federally-assisted housing. This guidance clarifies that arrest records, without subsequent conviction, may not serve as the sole basis for denying housing opportunities.

Individuals with arrest records seeking to exercise certain civil rights in Roanoke should be aware of potential restrictions. Texas Election Code § 11.002 preserves voting rights for individuals with arrest records absent final felony convictions, while Texas Government Code § 411.172 outlines how arrest records may affect eligibility for concealed handgun licenses.

Accessing Juvenile Arrest Records in Roanoke

Juvenile arrest records in Roanoke are subject to enhanced confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code Chapter 58. These specialized provisions establish distinct procedures for the maintenance, access, and potential sealing of records pertaining to arrests of individuals under 17 years of age.

The Roanoke Police Department maintains juvenile arrest records separately from adult records, with access restricted to:

Law enforcement agencies for criminal justice purposes
Courts with jurisdiction over juvenile matters
School administrators in limited circumstances as prescribed by § 58.0051
Parents or legal guardians of the juvenile subject
The juvenile subject upon reaching adulthood

Requests for juvenile arrest records must be submitted through formal channels to the Roanoke Police Department's Juvenile Division. Such requests require enhanced documentation of the requestor's legal authority to access the records.

Under Texas Family Code § 58.256, qualifying juveniles may petition for automatic restriction of access to records if:

Two years have elapsed since final discharge
No subsequent felony or misdemeanor convictions have occurred
No pending criminal charges exist
The juvenile was not transferred to adult criminal court

For records not qualifying for automatic restriction, Texas Family Code § 58.003 provides a mechanism for judicial sealing of records upon petition to the appropriate juvenile court. Following successful sealing, the juvenile may legally deny the existence of the arrest record except in specific circumstances enumerated in the statute.