Arrest records are public documents in Westlake, 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. The Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information about law enforcement activities within their communities. Certain exceptions to disclosure exist under Texas law, including information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court.
The Town of Westlake, through its contractual arrangement with the Keller Police Department for law enforcement services, maintains arrest records that are generally accessible to members of the public upon proper request. Individuals seeking such records must follow established procedures in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.221, which requires governmental bodies to promptly produce public information for inspection or duplication.
The Town of Westlake provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to established protocols and in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, individuals may utilize the following methods to obtain arrest information:
Keller Police Department: As the contracted law enforcement agency for Westlake, the Keller Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within Westlake town limits. Requests may be submitted in person at the Keller Police Department located at 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller, TX 76248. The Records Division is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (817) 743-4500.
Westlake Municipal Court: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Westlake Municipal Court located at Westlake Town Hall, 1500 Solana Boulevard, Building 7, Suite 7115, Westlake, TX 76262. The court operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached at (817) 490-5717.
Tarrant County Clerk's Office: For cases that have proceeded to county-level courts, records may be available through the Tarrant County Clerk's Office at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be contacted at (817) 884-1195.
Public Information Requests: Formal requests for public information may be submitted to the Town of Westlake through their established procedures, in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.301.
Texas Department of Public Safety: The state repository of criminal history information maintains a database that includes arrest records from jurisdictions throughout Texas, including Westlake. Requests may be submitted to the Crime Records Service at PO Box 4143, Austin, TX 78765-4143 or by calling (512) 424-2474.
Arrest records maintained by the Keller Police Department on behalf of the Town of Westlake typically contain comprehensive information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. Standard arrest records include the following elements:
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may be limited by applicable privacy laws and exemptions under the Texas Public Information Act. Certain information, such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, is typically redacted prior to public disclosure in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.101 and § 552.130.
The expungement of arrest records in Westlake follows procedures established under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Individuals may petition for expungement (also referred to as "expunction") of arrest records under specific statutory conditions. The legal process effectively removes all information about an arrest from official records and, when granted, permits the individual to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Texas include:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Tarrant County. Petitioners must provide detailed information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings as specified in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Upon review of the petition, the court may schedule a hearing to determine whether the statutory requirements for expungement have been satisfied.
If granted, an Order of Expunction directs all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to destroy or return all documentation related to the arrest. These agencies include the Keller Police Department, Westlake Municipal Court, Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and any other entities that received information about the arrest.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Tarrant County District Clerk's Office is located at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 and can provide procedural information regarding the filing of expungement petitions.