Schertz Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Schertz, Texas?
Arrest records are public in Schertz, 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 available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. Law enforcement agencies in Schertz, including the Schertz Police Department, maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document interactions between individuals and law enforcement personnel, including arrests, charges filed, and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. Members of the public may access these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information gathering, subject to applicable privacy protections under Texas state law.
The Texas Public Information Act specifically addresses the public's right to access government records in § 552.021, which states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Arrest records fall under this classification unless specifically exempted by law or judicial order. The Schertz Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies comply with these regulations by maintaining systems for public access to arrest information while balancing privacy considerations as required by statute.
How to Look Up Schertz Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Schertz, Texas. As of 2025, the following methods are available for accessing these public documents:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Schertz Police Department Records Division, located at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154. The Records Division maintains public office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors must complete a Public Information Request form and present valid government-issued identification.
The Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office maintains records for arrests made within county jurisdiction, including portions of Schertz. Their Records Division is accessible at 2617 N. Guadalupe Street, Seguin, TX 78155, with public counter hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Schertz Municipal Court provides access to arrest records related to cases within their jurisdiction at 1400 Schertz Parkway, Suite 10, Schertz, TX 78154. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the City of Schertz official website via the Public Records Request portal. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may apply for document retrieval, copying, and certification services.
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes arrest records from Schertz and other municipalities. Authorized users may access this information through the Crime Records Service at 5805 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78752.
Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and the volume of records sought. Standard processing typically requires 10 business days, in accordance with the timeframes established in the Texas Public Information Act.
Contents of a Schertz Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Schertz, Texas contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest.
Unique identifiers such as driver's license number, state identification number, and assigned booking number.
Temporal and geographic details of the arrest, including precise date, time, and location where the apprehension occurred.
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations, including classification as misdemeanor or felony offenses.
Arresting agency information, including department name, officer identification numbers, and badge numbers of personnel involved in the arrest.
Processing documentation, including booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and personal property inventory.
Judicial processing information, including magistration details, bail or bond determinations, and initial court appearance scheduling.
Detention facility assignment and custody status, if applicable.
Preliminary case disposition information, though complete adjudication details may be maintained in separate court records.
The Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27 establishes standards for the collection and maintenance of these records. Information contained in arrest records is subject to verification procedures and quality control measures implemented by the Schertz Police Department Records Division to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Schertz
The expungement process in Schertz follows Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which provides legal mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Individuals may petition for expungement (legally termed "expunction" in Texas) when their situation meets statutory requirements, including:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges being filed.
- Cases where charges were dismissed or quashed.
- Acquittals following trial proceedings.
- Pardons granted by the Governor of Texas or the President of the United States.
- Successful completion of certain pretrial diversion programs, pursuant to specific statutory provisions.
- Arrests for certain misdemeanor offenses after prescribed waiting periods have elapsed.
The expungement procedure requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Guadalupe County. This legal document must contain specific information as outlined in Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.02, including all agencies believed to possess records of the arrest. Upon review, if the court determines the petitioner meets all statutory requirements, an Order of Expunction will be issued.
Following judicial approval, the Department of Public Safety and all agencies named in the order must comply with expungement directives within a statutorily defined timeframe, typically 60 days from receipt of the order. These agencies must destroy all records and files related to the arrest or respond to the court explaining why compliance is not possible.
Alternative remedies include orders of non-disclosure under Government Code Chapter 411, which seal records from public view but maintain them for law enforcement and judicial access. Non-disclosure may be available in situations where full expungement is not statutorily permitted.
The Guadalupe County District Clerk's Office, located at 211 W. Court Street, Seguin, TX 78155, processes expungement petitions for arrests occurring within Schertz city limits. Filing fees and associated court costs apply to expungement proceedings, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners upon proper application and judicial determination.
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