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Galveston Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Galveston, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Galveston, 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 public unless expressly exempted by law. The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations and maintaining public oversight of governmental activities.

The Texas Public Information Act specifically designates arrest records as public information accessible to any member of the public upon proper request. This designation reflects the state's commitment to open government and public accountability. Exceptions to disclosure may apply in certain circumstances, such as ongoing investigations or cases involving juveniles, as provided under Texas Family Code § 58.007.

How to Look Up Galveston Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Galveston County have multiple official channels through which these documents may be accessed. The following procedures are established pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021:

Visit the Galveston Police Department: Individuals may request arrest records in person at the Records Division.

Galveston Police Department
601 54th Street
Galveston, TX 77551
(409) 765-3702
Galveston Police Department
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Galveston County District Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests may be obtained from the District Clerk.

Galveston County District Clerk
600 59th Street, Suite 4001
Galveston, TX 77551
(409) 766-2424
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Public Information Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the appropriate agency pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act.

Requests must be directed to the Public Information Office and should include specific details about the records being sought.
Online Access Systems: The Galveston Municipal Court provides limited online access to certain records.

Records may be accessed through the Municipal Online Payment System, which includes searchable court dockets.

Standard processing fees apply to all record requests in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70. Fees may include charges for document retrieval, copying, and certification as applicable.

Contents of a Galveston Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Galveston law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing details
Criminal charges filed, including statute citations
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond information, including amounts set
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data
Physical description of the arrested individual

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records pertaining to Class C misdemeanors processed through the Galveston Municipal Court may contain different elements than those for felony offenses processed through district courts.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Galveston

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Galveston operate within a structured legal framework established by state statutes and local ordinances. The primary legal authorities governing these records include:

Texas Government Code Chapter 552 establishes the fundamental right of public access to governmental records, including arrest information. Under § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body.

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102 mandates the collection and maintenance of specific data elements in criminal history record information. Law enforcement agencies in Galveston must adhere to these requirements when documenting arrests.

The Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Security Policy, as implemented by the Texas Department of Public Safety, establishes protocols for the secure handling and transmission of criminal justice information, including arrest records.

Local policies established by the Galveston Police Department and Galveston County Sheriff's Office further define procedures for record maintenance and public access. These policies must comply with state law while addressing local operational considerations.

The Galveston Municipal Court maintains records of Class C misdemeanor violations in accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 29, which establishes the jurisdiction and record-keeping requirements for municipal courts of record.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Galveston, certain statutory limitations restrict access to specific categories of records. These limitations serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are subject to restricted access pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007. These records are not available through standard public information requests and require court authorization for disclosure.

Arrest records related to cases that have been expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access. Law enforcement agencies and courts are prohibited from disclosing the existence of expunged records.

Information related to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108. This exception protects the integrity of active investigations and prosecutions.

Records containing certain personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information, are subject to redaction prior to public disclosure pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.147.

Victims of certain offenses, including family violence and sexual assault, have additional privacy protections under Texas Government Code § 552.1325, which may limit the disclosure of their personal information in arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Galveston

The expungement process in Galveston County provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 establishes the following eligibility criteria and procedures:

Individuals may qualify for expungement if:

They were arrested but never charged with an offense
Charges were dismissed or quashed
They were acquitted of the charges at trial
They were convicted but subsequently pardoned
The statute of limitations has expired without charges being filed

The expungement petition must be filed in the district court in Galveston County where the arrest occurred or where the case was disposed. The petition must include specific information as required by Article 55.02, including:

Personal identifying information of the petitioner
Details of the arrest to be expunged
The offense charged, if any
The disposition of the case
A list of all agencies believed to have records subject to expungement

Upon receipt of an expungement order, all governmental agencies possessing records related to the arrest must destroy or return such records to the court. Following successful expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that the process involves filing fees and may require legal representation to navigate procedural requirements effectively.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Galveston

Governmental agencies in Galveston County assess standardized fees for the provision of arrest records in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70. These fees are designed to recover the reasonable costs associated with record retrieval, reproduction, and certification:

Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy costs
Electronic records: $0.10 per page for PDFs
Record search and retrieval: $15.00 per hour after the first hour
Postage and shipping: Actual cost

The Galveston Municipal Court may assess additional fees for specific types of records related to violations processed through their system. These fees are established by local ordinance in compliance with state law.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available for requestors who demonstrate financial hardship. Such requests must be submitted in writing along with the initial records request and include documentation supporting the claimed hardship.

Payment methods accepted by Galveston governmental agencies typically include cash, check, money order, and in some cases, credit or debit cards. Specific payment requirements should be confirmed with the agency from which records are being requested.