> >Dickinson Arrest Records

Dickinson Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dickinson, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Dickinson, 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 bodies is accessible to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Dickinson Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official duties, and these records are generally available for public inspection.

Members of the public may access these records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.021, which states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. The transparency of arrest records serves multiple public interests, including community awareness, law enforcement accountability, and the fundamental right of citizens to be informed about governmental activities.

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exceptions provided in the Texas Public Information Act, particularly information related to ongoing investigations or information that might compromise public safety if released.

How to Look Up Dickinson Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Dickinson provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Dickinson Police Department, located at 4000 Liggio Street, Dickinson, TX 77539. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (281) 337-4700.
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Dickinson Police Department Records Division. Such requests must comply with Texas Government Code § 552.301, which requires governmental bodies to promptly produce public information in response to written requests.
The Dickinson Municipal Court, located at 4403 Highway 3, Dickinson, TX 77539, maintains records of cases processed through their system. The court is accessible by telephone at (281) 337-6273.
Galveston County District Clerk's Office, located at 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551, maintains records for felony cases and may be contacted at (409) 766-2424 for information regarding arrests that resulted in felony charges.
Online access to certain arrest information is available through the City of Dickinson's official website, though comprehensive records typically require formal requests through the channels listed above.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, reasonable charges may apply for the reproduction of public records, including arrest records.

Contents of a Dickinson Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Dickinson Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and individuals involved in an arrest. Standard arrest records include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and last known address.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred.
Criminal charges filed, including the Texas Penal Code section allegedly violated and the classification of the offense (misdemeanor or felony).
Arresting officer information, including badge number and department identification.
Booking information, including fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and processing details.
Case disposition information, if available, indicating the current status of the case within the judicial system.
Prior criminal history that may be relevant to the current arrest, subject to limitations established by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

The comprehensiveness of arrest records is governed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17, which mandates that peace officers must maintain complete records of all arrests made. These records serve as official documentation for law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial purposes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dickinson

Under Texas law, certain individuals may qualify to have their arrest records expunged or sealed from public view. The process of expungement (also referred to as "expunction") is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides specific criteria for eligibility.

Individuals may qualify for expungement in Dickinson under the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in a conviction or deferred adjudication.
The case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal.
The individual was arrested but never formally charged.
The individual was convicted but subsequently pardoned or otherwise found to be actually innocent.
The statutory waiting period has elapsed for certain qualifying offenses.

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Galveston County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon review, the court may order all records and files pertaining to the arrest to be expunged if statutory requirements are met.

An alternative to expungement is an order of nondisclosure, governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view but allows access by law enforcement and certain governmental agencies. This option is available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication for certain offenses.

Individuals seeking expungement or nondisclosure should be aware that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Galveston County District Clerk's Office, located at 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551, can provide the necessary forms and information regarding filing procedures. The clerk's office may be contacted at (409) 766-2424 during regular business hours.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Dickinson

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Dickinson is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The City Ordinances of Dickinson operate in conjunction with state laws to establish protocols for record maintenance and access.

The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) serves as the primary statutory authority governing public access to arrest records. This legislation establishes the presumption that governmental records, including arrest records, are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure further regulates the creation and maintenance of arrest records. Article 2.17 mandates that law enforcement agencies maintain complete records of arrests, while Article 60.01 et seq. establishes the Criminal Justice Information System and requirements for reporting arrest information to state databases.

The Federal Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) may apply to certain records maintained by federal law enforcement agencies operating within Dickinson city limits, such as joint task force operations involving federal authorities.

Privacy protections are afforded through various statutory provisions, including:

Texas Government Code § 552.101, which exempts information considered confidential by law.
Texas Government Code § 552.108, which protects information related to ongoing criminal investigations.
Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a), which may apply to federally maintained records.

The Crime Victims Liaison Office of the Dickinson Police Department provides additional guidance regarding the privacy rights of crime victims whose information may appear in arrest records.

Rights of the Arrested in Dickinson

Individuals who have been arrested in Dickinson retain specific rights regarding their arrest records and the information contained therein. These rights are established through constitutional provisions, state statutes, and local ordinances.

Under Texas law, arrested individuals have the following rights regarding their arrest records:

The right to inspect their own criminal history record information maintained by local law enforcement agencies, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.023.
The right to request correction of inaccurate information contained in arrest records, as provided by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 60.06.
The right to petition for expungement or nondisclosure of records under qualifying circumstances, as detailed in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 and Texas Government Code Chapter 411, respectively.
The right to be informed of the charges leading to arrest, as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution.
The right to privacy protections for certain sensitive information, such as social security numbers, medical information, and juvenile records, which may be redacted from public versions of arrest records.

The Dickinson Police Department, in accordance with departmental policies and state law, provides arrested individuals with written notification of these rights at the time of booking. Additional information regarding these rights may be obtained from the Dickinson Police Department Records Division at 4000 Liggio Street, Dickinson, TX 77539, or by telephone at (281) 337-4700.

Legal representation is advisable for individuals seeking to exercise these rights, particularly when pursuing expungement or challenging the accuracy of information contained in arrest records.