Arrest records are public in Grimes County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to maintain transparency within judicial and law enforcement operations, enabling citizens to exercise their right to information by obtaining copies of arrest records. The statute affirms that public records are the property of the people, not the government, and shall be made available with limited exceptions as prescribed by law.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Texas Government Code § 552.101, which exempts information considered confidential by law, including constitutional law, statutory law, or judicial decision.
Arrest records can be accessed online in Grimes County through various governmental and third-party platforms. The Grimes County Clerk's Office maintains electronic databases that may contain arrest-related information. Additionally, the Grimes County District Clerk manages records for felony cases following grand jury indictments.
The availability and comprehensiveness of online records may vary based on several factors:
Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 191.008, county clerks are authorized to provide access to public information through electronic means. However, certain limitations apply regarding the completeness of records available through digital platforms, as some older records may only be accessible in person.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Grimes County arrest records:
Grimes County Sheriff's Office
382 FM 149 West
Anderson, TX 77830
Phone: (936) 873-2151
Official Website
The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and arrest reports. Requests may be submitted in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Grimes County Clerk's Office
100 S. Main St., Room 104
Anderson, TX 77830
Phone: (936) 873-4410
Official Website
The County Clerk maintains public records including certain arrest-related documents. Requestors may submit an open records request pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act.
Grimes County District Clerk
270 FM 149 West
Anderson, TX 77830
Phone: (936) 873-4418
Official Website
The District Clerk maintains records for felony cases and provides access to court records related to criminal proceedings.
Requests for arrest records must comply with Texas Government Code § 552.221, which requires that public information be produced promptly. The governmental body shall promptly release the information or, if unable to do so, shall certify in writing the reasonable date by which the information will be available.
Arrest records in Grimes County typically contain the following information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251:
Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.1175, which protects personal information of peace officers, county jailers, security officers, and specific public employees and officials.
Arrest records in Grimes County serve multiple legitimate purposes within the legal and public domains:
Criminal Justice Operations: Law enforcement agencies utilize arrest records for investigative purposes, background checks, and to track criminal patterns.
Judicial Proceedings: Courts reference arrest records during bail hearings, sentencing, and other judicial determinations.
Employment Screening: Certain employers, particularly those in sensitive industries such as education, healthcare, and financial services, may review arrest records as part of pre-employment background checks in accordance with Texas Occupations Code § 53.021.
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may review arrest records when evaluating rental applications, subject to limitations established by the Fair Housing Act.
Professional Licensing: State licensing boards may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for professional licenses pursuant to Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53.
Public Safety Awareness: Community members may access arrest records to remain informed about criminal activity in their neighborhoods.
It should be noted that under Texas law, the mere existence of an arrest record does not constitute proof of guilt. The Texas Workforce Commission advises employers to consider the nature and gravity of the offense, the time elapsed since the offense, and the nature of the job sought when making employment decisions based on criminal history information.
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may petition for expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Grimes County under specific circumstances. Expungement legally removes an arrest from an individual's record, effectively treating the arrest as if it never occurred.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Grimes County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include:
Upon approval, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies holding records of the arrest to destroy or return all records to the court. These agencies include the Grimes County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and any other entity that may possess records related to the arrest.