>Ector County Arrest Records Online

Ector County, Texas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ector County, Texas?

Arrest records are public information in Ector County, 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, with certain statutory exceptions. The Act ensures transparency in governmental operations by granting citizens access to records maintained by public entities, including those pertaining to arrests.

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 designated procedures established by Ector County law enforcement agencies and court systems.

Public accessibility of arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Promotes accountability within the criminal justice system
Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes
Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
Assists attorneys in case preparation and legal proceedings

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exceptions outlined in § 552.101 through § 552.158 of the Texas Government Code, particularly when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations or infringe upon protected privacy interests.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Ector County?

Ector County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Ector County District Clerk's Office provides a public portal for accessing court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. This online accessibility is authorized under Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 205, which establishes standards for electronic access to governmental records.

The availability of online records is subject to the following conditions:

Records may not be immediately updated in real-time
Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.147
Complete records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county office
Some historical records may not be digitized or available through online platforms
Technical limitations may occasionally restrict access to the online database

The Ector County Sheriff's Office maintains current inmate information that can be accessed online, providing details about individuals currently in custody. This information is regularly updated as part of the county's commitment to public transparency regarding detention operations.

Users of online systems should be aware that Texas Government Code § 552.275 permits governmental bodies to establish reasonable limits on the amount of time personnel are required to spend producing information for inspection or duplication by an individual, which may affect the comprehensiveness of online records.

How to Look Up Ector County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Ector County arrest records. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information for inspection or duplication. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Ector County:

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may submit requests at the following locations:

Ector County Sheriff's Office
300 N. Grant Avenue
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 335-3050
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Ector County District Clerk's Office
300 N. Grant Avenue, Room 218
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4290
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Online Access:

The Ector County Information Public Portal provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests. Users may search by:

Name of arrested individual
Case number
Date range
Offense type

Written Requests:

Written requests may be submitted via mail to either the Sheriff's Office or District Clerk's Office at the addresses provided above. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.301, the governmental body must respond to written requests within 10 business days.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes governmental bodies to charge for the cost of materials, labor, and overhead associated with reproducing public information.

Contents of an Ector County Arrest Record

Ector County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.26, which establishes requirements for law enforcement agencies regarding the documentation of arrests. A typical arrest record includes the following components:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address
Identification numbers (Texas DL/ID, FBI number, SID)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing information
Statutory authority for arrest (with or without warrant)
Miranda rights acknowledgment

Offense Information:

Criminal charges filed
Texas Penal Code or other statutory references
Offense classification (felony/misdemeanor grade)
Incident report number
Victim information (redacted as required by law)

Case Processing:

Magistration date and judge
Bond/bail amount and conditions
Court assignment information
Detention status
Preliminary hearing dates
Case disposition (if available)

Additional Documentation:

Fingerprint records as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.33
Photograph (mugshot)
Property/evidence inventory
Medical screening information

The Ector County Clerk's Office maintains these records in accordance with Texas Local Government Code § 191.001, which establishes record-keeping requirements for county clerks.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ector County

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Ector County. Expungement is a legal process that removes arrest records from public access and, when granted, allows the petitioner to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in statute.

Eligibility Criteria:

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01, individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
Charges were dismissed or quashed due to mistake, false information, or other similar reason
The person was acquitted of the offense by trial court or appellate court
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned or otherwise granted relief based on actual innocence
The statute of limitations for the offense has expired and no charges were filed
The person completed a pretrial diversion program as specified in Article 55.01(a)(2)

Filing Procedure:

Petitions for expungement must be filed with the Ector County District Court and must contain:

Detailed personal information of the petitioner
Specific information about the arrest to be expunged
All agencies believed to have records subject to expungement
Verification that the petitioner meets statutory eligibility requirements

Ector County District Court
300 N. Grant Avenue
Odessa, TX 79761
Phone: (432) 498-4100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

The court filing fee for an expungement petition is approximately $300, though this amount may vary. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 103.0214, the court may waive fees for indigent petitioners who file an affidavit of inability to pay.

Following the filing of a petition, a hearing will be scheduled where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement. If granted, the court will issue an order of expunction directing all agencies to destroy or return records to the court. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02 Section 3 requires agencies to comply with the expunction order within 60 days.

Search Arrest Records in Ector County

Cities

Odessa