>Duval County Arrest Records Online

Duval County, Texas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Duval County, Texas?

Arrest records are public information in Duval County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the principle that governmental bodies are custodians, not owners, of information and must provide reasonable access to records unless specifically exempted by law.

The Duval County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 2.13, which requires peace officers to preserve the peace within their jurisdiction and maintain public records of their official activities. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental interests, including:

Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
Enabling community oversight of the criminal justice system
Facilitating informed public discourse on matters of public safety
Supporting the constitutional presumption of innocence through open proceedings

Individuals seeking arrest records may submit requests to the Duval County Sheriff's Office or the District Clerk's Office, which serves as the custodian of court records for the county.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Duval County?

Duval County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 62.005 authorizes the electronic dissemination of certain criminal history information, and Duval County has implemented digital systems in compliance with this statutory framework.

Online access to arrest records is provided through the following official channels:

The Duval County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system
The Duval County District Clerk's case management portal
The County Court docket system

These electronic resources are maintained in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 202, which establishes security standards for electronic governmental records. While basic arrest information is typically available online, certain sensitive information may be redacted pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.1175, which protects personal information of peace officers, judges, and other specified officials.

Users of these online systems should note that electronic records are subject to the same legal restrictions as physical records, including potential sealing or expungement orders issued under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55.

How to Look Up Duval County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Duval County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple methods established under Texas Government Code § 552.221, which requires governmental bodies to provide prompt access to public information. The following procedures are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Submit a written request to the Duval County Sheriff's Office located at 400 E. Gravis Avenue, San Diego, TX 78384. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (361) 279-6251.
Access the Duval County online records portal, which provides 24-hour availability for basic arrest information. Users must register for an account and may be subject to nominal fees for certain document retrievals.
Visit the Duval County District Clerk's Office at the Duval County Courthouse, 400 E. Gravis Avenue, San Diego, TX 78384. Public terminals are available for searching court records related to arrests. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (361) 279-6271.
Submit requests through the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service for statewide criminal history information that includes Duval County arrests. This service operates under authority of Texas Government Code § 411.135.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information such as the subject's full name, date of birth, or case number to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, reasonable fees may be charged for record searches and copies.

Contents of a Duval County Arrest Record

Duval County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 60.051, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for criminal justice agencies. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following components:

Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address (may be redacted in public versions)
- State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges with Texas Penal Code citations
- Arrest warrant information or probable cause statement
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification and identification
Case processing information:
- Court of jurisdiction (County Court or District Court)
- Case number and docket information
- Bond amount and conditions
- Detention status
- Preliminary hearing dates

These records are maintained in accordance with Texas Local Government Code § 203.042, which establishes retention schedules for law enforcement records. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement oversees standardization of arrest documentation through administrative rules codified in Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 7.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Duval County

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, certain individuals may petition for expungement (expunction) of arrest records maintained by Duval County agencies. Expungement constitutes the legal removal and destruction of records pertaining to an arrest, thereby restoring the individual to the position they occupied prior to the arrest.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Duval County include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Charges that were dismissed due to lack of probable cause, mistake, or similar reasons
Acquittals by trial or appellate courts
Pardons based on actual innocence
Completed deferred adjudication for certain misdemeanors under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01(a)(2)
Arrests for certain alcohol-related offenses committed as a minor

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the District Court that would have jurisdiction over the case. Petitioners must comply with procedural requirements established in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.02, including:

Verification of the petition under oath
Inclusion of specific identifying information
Service of the petition on all agencies holding records
Payment of filing fees (unless waived by the court)

Upon granting an expunction order, the court directs all agencies, including the Duval County Sheriff's Office, District Clerk, and Texas Department of Public Safety, to destroy or return all records pertaining to the arrest. Agencies must comply within a timeframe specified by the court, typically 60-90 days.

Individuals with expunged records may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most circumstances, pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.03. However, certain exceptions exist for law enforcement and judicial proceedings.