Arrest records are public documents in Grayson County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This statute mandates that records generated, maintained, and held by governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public. The Grayson County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records are subject to public disclosure with certain statutory exceptions that protect privacy in specific circumstances.
The Texas Public Information Act establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. 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." This transparency requirement applies to arrest records maintained by Grayson County law enforcement agencies, ensuring public accountability in the criminal justice system.
Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these records are generally public, certain information may be redacted pursuant to exceptions outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.101-152, including information related to ongoing investigations or juvenile records.
Grayson County provides digital access to arrest records through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Grayson County Judicial Records system offers a searchable database of criminal case information, including records related to arrests processed through the county court system. This online resource is maintained pursuant to the county's commitment to public transparency and accessibility of government records.
The Grayson County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records of arrests and provides certain information through their public information portal. Additionally, the County Clerk's office maintains records for misdemeanor cases processed through the County Courts at Law, which may include information related to arrests.
Online access to these records is provided in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.272, which permits governmental bodies to provide for public access to information via electronic means. Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, obtaining complete records may require submission of a formal public information request to the appropriate agency.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing Grayson County arrest records. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following methods:
Online Judicial Records Search: The Grayson County Judicial Records Search provides access to criminal case information, including details related to arrests. This system is available 24 hours per day and allows searches by name, case number, or other identifiers.
Sheriff's Office Records Division: The Grayson County Sheriff's Office Public Information Division processes requests for arrest records and other law enforcement documents. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically.
Grayson County Sheriff's Office
200 S. Crockett Street
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 813-4200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
County Clerk's Office: For misdemeanor cases, the County Clerk's Criminal Court Records Division maintains records that may include arrest information.
Grayson County Clerk's Office
100 W. Houston Street
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 813-4311
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Active Warrant Information: The Grayson County Collections Department maintains information regarding active warrants for unpaid fines and court costs, which may include arrest warrant status.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information in response to proper requests. Standard processing time for arrest record requests is typically 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time.
Grayson County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. These official documents typically include the following elements:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of criminal proceedings and the arresting agency's protocols. Records maintained by the Grayson County Sheriff's Office adhere to the Texas Department of Public Safety's reporting requirements for the Computerized Criminal History System as mandated by Texas Government Code § 411.042.
While arrest records are generally public in Grayson County, Texas law establishes several important exceptions and restrictions to protect privacy and due process. The following limitations apply to arrest record access:
Sealed Records: Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, records that have been ordered sealed by a court are not available for public inspection. This includes arrests resulting in acquittals, dismissals, or expungements.
Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to arrests of individuals under 17 years of age are subject to confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code § 58.007, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and judicial purposes.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to arrests connected to active investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108 if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Victim Information: Personal identifying information of crime victims, particularly in cases involving sexual assault or family violence, may be redacted pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.1325.
Deferred Adjudication: Records related to successfully completed deferred adjudication may have restricted access under Texas Government Code § 411.081.
Governmental bodies in Grayson County are required to apply these exceptions consistently while maintaining the presumption of openness established by the Texas Public Information Act.
Texas law provides mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Grayson County, individuals may petition for expungement pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 if they meet statutory eligibility requirements, including:
The expungement process requires filing a petition in the district court in Grayson County. Upon granting an expunction order, all records and files pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and law enforcement databases. Agencies receiving an expunction order must comply within a specified timeframe, typically 60-90 days.
For cases not eligible for expungement, individuals may qualify for an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code § 411.081, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes. This remedy is often available for successfully completed deferred adjudication cases.
Law enforcement agencies in Grayson County document and report arrest data as part of their statutory reporting requirements. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Report data for 2022, Grayson County recorded 73 violent crime arrests and 448 property crime arrests. These statistics represent the enforcement activities of all law enforcement agencies operating within county boundaries.
The Grayson County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest statistics as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.134. These statistics are reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety and include demographic information, offense categories, and disposition data. This information is compiled to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and to facilitate analysis of criminal justice trends within the county.
Arrest data indicates that the most common categories for arrests in Grayson County include:
Statistical information regarding arrests is maintained as public information and may be requested through the Grayson County Sheriff's Office Public Information Division.