Arrest records are public documents in Sanger, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, including records of arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Sanger city limits. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities. Under § 552.021 of the Texas Government Code, members of the public have the right to inspect or copy public information, including arrest records, unless an exception to disclosure applies under state or federal law.
The Sanger Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. These records document the activities of law enforcement personnel and provide factual information about individuals who have been taken into custody within the jurisdiction.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Sanger, Texas. The Texas Public Information Act establishes procedures for requesting such records from governmental bodies. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:
Submit a written public information request to the Sanger Police Department located at 502 Elm Street, Sanger, TX 76266. Requests may be delivered in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Contact the Sanger Municipal Court for cases within their jurisdiction at P.O. Box 578, Sanger, TX 76266-0578 or by telephone at (940) 458-7131.
Visit the Denton County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 127 N. Woodrow Lane, Denton, TX 76205 for arrests made by county law enforcement within Sanger city limits.
Access the Sanger Municipal Court online portal for searchable violation and case information.
Submit requests to the Texas Department of Public Safety for statewide criminal history information at P.O. Box 4143, Austin, TX 78765-4143.
Pursuant to § 552.221 of the Texas Government Code, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information in response to proper requests. The law defines "promptly" as producing the information as soon as possible under the circumstances, within a reasonable time, without delay.
Arrest records maintained by the Sanger Police Department and other law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.051. Standard arrest records include the following elements:
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH) which contains arrest data submitted by the Sanger Police Department and other law enforcement agencies throughout the state. This information is collected pursuant to Chapter 66 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
While arrest records are generally public in Sanger, Texas law establishes certain exceptions to disclosure. The following restrictions may apply to arrest record requests:
Records pertaining to juveniles (under 17 years of age) are subject to confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code Chapter 58. These records are not publicly accessible without a court order.
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court are not available for public inspection pursuant to Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted under § 552.101 of the Texas Government Code.
Certain identifying information of peace officers, including home addresses and telephone numbers, is protected from disclosure under § 552.1175 of the Texas Government Code.
The Sanger Police Department and other custodians of arrest records must review requests to determine if any exceptions apply before releasing information. Requestors may appeal denials through procedures established in § 552.301 of the Texas Government Code.
Texas law provides mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs the expungement process in Sanger and throughout Texas. Individuals may petition for expungement if their situation meets one of the following criteria:
The expungement process requires filing a petition in the district court of Denton County. Upon granting an expunction order, all records and files pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and may not be disclosed by any governmental agency. Law enforcement agencies, including the Sanger Police Department, must comply with court-ordered expunctions by destroying or returning all records as directed.
Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that the process requires strict compliance with statutory requirements. The Denton County District Clerk's Office, located at 1450 E. McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209, processes expungement petitions for arrests that occurred within Denton County, including Sanger.
Governmental bodies in Sanger may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of arrest records in accordance with § 552.261 of the Texas Government Code. The Office of the Attorney General establishes guidelines for permissible charges. Current fee structures include:
The Sanger Police Department and other agencies must provide an itemized statement of estimated charges when costs exceed $40.00. Requestors have the opportunity to modify their requests to reduce costs or may be required to provide a deposit for requests exceeding $100.00.
Fee waivers or reductions may be available if disclosure is in the public interest or for requests from indigent individuals. Agencies may not charge for inspection of records unless extensive personnel time is required for redaction or preparation.