>Fayette County Arrest Records Online

Fayette County, Texas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fayette County, Texas?

Arrest records are public information in Fayette 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 mandates that governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies in Fayette County, maintain transparency by providing access to arrest records and other public documents.

Members of the public may access these records through designated county offices, including the Fayette County Sheriff's Office and the Fayette County Clerk's Office. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." The statute further stipulates that governmental bodies must promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both upon request.

The Texas Attorney General has consistently upheld that basic information about arrests, including the arrestee's name, charges, and booking information, falls within the category of public information that must be disclosed upon request, barring specific statutory exceptions.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Fayette County?

Fayette County provides limited online access to arrest records through official county websites and databases. The Fayette County District Clerk's Office maintains certain court records that may contain information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. However, comprehensive arrest records may not be fully available through online platforms.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.263, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information. Online access, where available, may require payment of such fees or registration with specific systems. The Fayette County Courthouse administration continues to implement digital access solutions in accordance with state regulations regarding public information.

Users should note that while some basic information may be accessible online, complete arrest records often require formal requests through established channels. The Texas Public Information Act does not mandate that all public records be made available online, only that they be accessible to the public through reasonable procedures.

How to Look Up Fayette County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Fayette County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The following procedures comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 552:

Submit a formal Public Information Act request to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office located at 151 N. Washington Street, La Grange, TX 78945. Telephone: (979) 968-5856. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Visit the Fayette County Jail at the Fayette County Justice Center, 1646 North Jefferson, La Grange, TX 78945. Telephone: (979) 968-8477. Office hours: 24 hours daily for booking information.
Contact the Fayette County Clerk's Office at 246 W. Colorado St, La Grange, TX 78945. Telephone: (979) 968-3251. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Access the 155th Judicial District Court records through their official channels. The District Clerk's Office is located at 151 N. Washington Street, Room 304, La Grange, TX 78945. Telephone: (979) 968-3184. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Utilize third-party public records services that aggregate information from multiple government sources. These services may charge additional fees beyond those assessed by governmental bodies.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any additional identifying information. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.222, governmental bodies may ask for clarification of requests to efficiently locate responsive records.

Contents of a Fayette County Arrest Record

Fayette County arrest records typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. These official documents generally include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including citation of applicable Texas Penal Code sections
Classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony) and degree
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking number and processing information
Fingerprint records and mugshot photographs
Detention status and bail/bond information, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure mandates that law enforcement agencies maintain complete and accurate records of all arrests. These records must be submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.042.

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with exceptions outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.101-152, including information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifying information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fayette County

The expungement of arrest records in Fayette County follows procedures established under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Eligible individuals may petition for expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances prescribed by statute.

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01, an individual may be entitled to expungement if:

The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
The person was charged but the case was dismissed or quashed, and the statute of limitations has expired
The person was acquitted of the offense by trial (found "not guilty")
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned or otherwise granted relief based on actual innocence
The person completed a pretrial diversion program that qualifies for expungement
The person meets other statutory criteria for expungement as defined in Article 55.01

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Fayette County. This legal proceeding must comply with the requirements set forth in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02. Upon granting of an expunction order, all records and files pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and may not be disclosed by agencies that maintained such records.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that the process requires strict compliance with statutory requirements. The 155th District Court in Fayette County has jurisdiction over expungement proceedings. Filing fees and court costs apply to expungement petitions, though fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals under certain circumstances.

Order of Nondisclosure in Fayette County

In cases where expungement is not available, individuals may qualify for an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. This remedy allows for the sealing of criminal records from public view while maintaining them for use by criminal justice agencies.

Orders of Nondisclosure are available to individuals who have successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for certain offenses. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.081, eligibility requirements and waiting periods vary depending on the offense classification and individual circumstances.

The petition for an Order of Nondisclosure must be filed with the court that placed the individual on deferred adjudication. In Fayette County, this is typically the 155th District Court or the County Court at Law. The petition must comply with the requirements set forth in Texas Government Code § 411.0745.

Upon issuance of an Order of Nondisclosure, criminal justice agencies are prohibited from disclosing the criminal record information to the public. However, certain governmental entities retain access to the information for specific purposes as outlined in Texas Government Code § 411.0765.

Legal Consequences of Arrest Records in Fayette County

Arrest records in Fayette County may have significant legal implications for affected individuals. These consequences extend beyond the immediate criminal proceedings and may impact various aspects of civic and economic life.

Under Texas law, employers, licensing agencies, educational institutions, and housing providers may lawfully consider arrest records in making decisions, subject to certain limitations. The Texas Workforce Commission provides guidance on the use of criminal history information in employment decisions pursuant to Texas Labor Code § 51.4414.

Professional licensing boards in Texas, including those governing healthcare professionals, educators, and legal practitioners, may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for licensure or certification. Texas Occupations Code provisions specific to each profession establish the standards for consideration of criminal history.

Federal housing regulations (24 CFR § 982.553) permit public housing authorities to consider arrest records when making housing determinations, though arrests without convictions should not be the sole basis for adverse decisions according to HUD guidance.

Individuals with arrest records in Fayette County should be aware of these potential consequences and may wish to consult with legal counsel regarding remedies such as expungement or orders of nondisclosure when eligible.