Stephenville Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Stephenville, Texas?
Arrest records are public information in Stephenville, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental entities is presumed to be public unless expressly exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to public records, including those pertaining to arrests made within Stephenville city limits.
The public nature of arrest records in Stephenville is consistent with Texas state law, which recognizes the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities. These records are maintained by various agencies including the Stephenville Police Department, Erath County Sheriff's Office, and the Stephenville Municipal Court. Members of the public may access these records through established procedures, subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations and individual privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code.
How to Look Up Stephenville Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Stephenville provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize any of the following methods:
Submit a public information request in person at the Stephenville Police Department, located at 356 N. Belknap Street, Stephenville, TX 76401. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Contact the Erath County Sheriff's Office at 1043 Glen Rose Rd, Stephenville, TX 76401. Telephone: (254) 965-3338. Operating hours are 24 hours daily.
Visit the Stephenville Municipal Court at 298 W. Washington Street, Stephenville, TX 76401. Telephone: (254) 918-1220. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Submit a written request via certified mail to the Records Division of the Stephenville Police Department, clearly stating the specific information being requested.
Access public court records through designated terminals available at the Stephenville Municipal Court during regular business hours.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public information. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full legal name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record location.
Contents of a Stephenville Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Stephenville law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. Standard arrest records include the following components:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and location of the arrest, as well as the specific circumstances leading to the apprehension.
Criminal charges filed against the individual, including the Texas Penal Code section(s) allegedly violated and the classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony).
Booking information, including the unique booking number, fingerprint records, and mugshot photographs taken during processing.
Arresting agency information, including the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and the law enforcement department responsible for the arrest.
Custody status information, including whether the individual was released on bail, the bail amount set, or if the individual remains in custody pending court proceedings.
Court case number and preliminary hearing dates, if such information has been assigned at the time of record creation.
The Stephenville Municipal Court maintains these records in accordance with Texas state law regarding records retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in compliance with privacy provisions outlined in the Texas Public Information Act.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Stephenville
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Stephenville. Expungement, governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, allows for the removal of arrests from public records under specific qualifying circumstances.
Individuals may be eligible for expungement of Stephenville arrest records under the following conditions:
The arrest did not result in a formal criminal charge being filed with a court.
The criminal charge was dismissed or quashed due to procedural errors, insufficient evidence, or completion of a pretrial diversion program.
The individual was acquitted of the charges following a trial (found "not guilty").
The individual was convicted but subsequently pardoned by the Governor of Texas or the President of the United States.
The individual was arrested for certain qualifying misdemeanor offenses committed while a minor, such as tobacco-related violations.
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Erath County. Petitioners must provide detailed information regarding the arrest, including the date of arrest, the offense charged, the law enforcement agency making the arrest, and the case disposition. Filing fees apply, though fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals based on financial need.
Upon successful expungement, all records of the arrest are removed from public access, and the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in § 55.03 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Individuals should be aware that criminal record information may impact various aspects of civic life until properly expunged.
Law Enforcement Practices and Arrest Records in Stephenville
The Stephenville Police Department adheres to strict protocols regarding arrest procedures and subsequent record-keeping. These practices are designed to ensure constitutional rights are protected while maintaining accurate documentation of law enforcement activities.
The department maintains comprehensive policies prohibiting racial profiling and other forms of biased policing in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.131. Law enforcement actions, including arrests, must be based on reasonable suspicion or probable cause rather than demographic characteristics of individuals.
Arrest records generated by Stephenville law enforcement agencies serve multiple functions within the criminal justice system:
Documentation of probable cause determinations that justified the initial detention and subsequent arrest.
Creation of an official record of chain of custody regarding arrested individuals.
Facilitation of proper identification through fingerprinting and photographic documentation.
Establishment of a chronological record of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system.
Provision of statistical data used for crime analysis, resource allocation, and departmental performance evaluation.
The Stephenville Police Department Records Division is responsible for maintaining the integrity and security of all arrest records. Access to these records by department personnel is restricted based on job function and need-to-know basis, with electronic audit trails documenting all access to sensitive information.
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