Kilgore Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Kilgore, Texas?
Arrest records in Kilgore, Texas are considered public information pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This statute establishes that records created, collected, or maintained by governmental bodies, including the Kilgore Police Department and Gregg County Sheriff's Office, shall be accessible to the public with certain statutory exceptions. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the fundamental principle that governmental transparency is essential to a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to monitor the activities of public institutions and hold them accountable.
Members of the public may access arrest records through designated channels, though certain information may be redacted in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.108, which permits withholding information that could interfere with law enforcement proceedings or endanger individuals. Additionally, records pertaining to juveniles receive special protection under Texas Family Code § 58.007, which restricts public access to such information except under specific circumstances authorized by law.
The custodians of these records must comply with statutory timelines for responding to information requests, typically within 10 business days as specified in Texas Government Code § 552.221. Governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records as permitted under § 552.261, based on guidelines established by the Office of the Attorney General.
How to Look Up Kilgore Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Kilgore, Texas. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information to facilitate record retrieval.
The Kilgore Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city limits. Interested parties may:
- Submit requests in person at the Records Division during regular business hours
- File written requests via U.S. mail
- Utilize the department's online records request portal, if available
- Contact the records division by telephone for procedural guidance
Kilgore Police Department
815 N. Kilgore Street
Kilgore, TX 75662
(903) 983-1559
www.cityofkilgore.com/police
For arrests occurring in unincorporated areas of Gregg County surrounding Kilgore, the Gregg County Sheriff's Office serves as the custodian of records:
Gregg County Sheriff's Office
101 E. Methvin Street
Longview, TX 75601
(903) 236-8400
www.co.gregg.tx.us/sheriff
The Gregg County District Clerk's Office maintains records of subsequent court proceedings related to arrests:
Gregg County District Clerk
101 E. Methvin Street, Suite 200
Longview, TX 75601
(903) 237-2200
www.co.gregg.tx.us/district-clerk
Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, Rule § 27.54, requestors must complete standardized forms when seeking criminal history information. Proper identification may be required to verify the requestor's identity in accordance with privacy protection protocols.
Contents of a Kilgore Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Kilgore law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system.
Standard components of Kilgore arrest records include:
- Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and geographic location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed at the time of booking
- Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
- Custody status information
- Bond amount, if applicable
Supplementary information may include preliminary narrative reports describing the circumstances of the arrest, though these may be subject to redaction under Texas Government Code § 552.108 if their release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
It is important to note that arrest records document allegations only and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Texas law and the U.S. Constitution, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Kilgore
The State of Texas provides statutory mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) or non-disclosure of arrest records maintained by Kilgore law enforcement agencies. These remedies are governed primarily by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Expungement eligibility criteria include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Charges that were dismissed or quashed
- Acquittals at trial or on appeal
- Pardons based on actual innocence
- Completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
- Arrests resulting from identity theft or false identification
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred. For Kilgore arrests, this would typically be:
Gregg County 124th District Court
101 E. Methvin Street
Longview, TX 75601
(903) 237-2588
www.co.gregg.tx.us/124th-district-court
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information including the petitioner's identifying information, arrest details, and statutory grounds for expungement. Upon filing, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility under the applicable statutes.
If granted, an Order of Expunction directs all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to destroy or return all documentation 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 as specified in Article 55.03.
For arrests not qualifying for expungement, individuals may seek an Order of Non-Disclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which restricts public access to records while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes. Eligibility typically requires successful completion of deferred adjudication or certain other dispositions.
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