Plainview Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Plainview, Texas?
Arrest records are public documents in Plainview, Texas, accessible to all citizens under the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental bodies is presumed to be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The maintenance of public arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system, facilitating background checks for employment and housing, and enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities. The Plainview Police Department and Hale County courts maintain these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and public accessibility.
Individuals seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.101, which exempts information considered confidential by law. Additionally, records pertaining to juveniles or cases under active investigation may have restricted access pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007 and Texas Government Code § 552.108, respectively.
How to Look Up Plainview Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Plainview have several methods available to obtain this information. The City of Plainview and Hale County maintain systems that allow for both electronic and in-person access to these public documents. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search to facilitate accurate record retrieval.
The following methods are available for accessing Plainview arrest records:
Online Database Access: The Plainview Police Department maintains a digital database of arrest records that can be searched by name, date of birth, or case number. This service is available 24 hours a day through the department's official website.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the Plainview Police Department located at 108 W. 9th Street, Plainview, TX 79072. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors must complete a Public Information Request form and present valid identification.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Plainview Police Department, Records Division, P.O. Box 1880, Plainview, TX 79073-1880. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and a copy of the requestor's identification.
Hale County Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests may be obtained from the Hale County Clerk's Office located at 500 Broadway, Suite 180, Plainview, TX 79072. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Texas Department of Public Safety: For comprehensive criminal history information, requests may be submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Crime Records Service, P.O. Box 4143, Austin, TX 78765-4143.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may be assessed for record retrieval and duplication. The standard fee schedule is established by the Office of the Attorney General and is subject to periodic revision.
Contents of a Plainview Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Plainview Police Department and Hale County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest.
A typical Plainview arrest record includes the following elements:
- Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, social security number (partially redacted in public copies), gender, race, and ethnicity
- Physical Description: Height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as scars, tattoos, or other distinguishing features
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting officer's name and badge number; agency case number
- Offense Information: Criminal charges filed, including Texas Penal Code citations; classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony); circumstances of the alleged crime
- Processing Data: Booking photographs (mugshots); fingerprint records; personal property inventory
- Custody Status: Detention facility information; bail or bond amount; release conditions if applicable
- Court Information: Assigned court; docket number; scheduled appearance dates
- Disposition: Outcome of the case if resolved, including dismissal, conviction, acquittal, or diversion program participation
It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.130 and § 552.147, certain personal identifying information such as driver's license numbers, social security numbers, and financial account information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records to protect against identity theft.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Plainview
The expungement process in Plainview allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement (legally referred to as "expunction" in Texas) effectively erases an arrest from an individual's record, permitting the person to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most contexts.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Plainview include:
- The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
- Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
- The person was acquitted of charges (found "not guilty") at trial
- The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned
- The person completed a pre-trial diversion program that qualifies for expungement
- The statute of limitations for the offense has expired without charges being filed
- The arrest resulted from identity theft
The expungement procedure requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Hale County. This legal process typically requires:
- Preparation of the petition with specific information about the arrest and case disposition
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $300, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
- Serving copies of the petition to all agencies that may possess records of the arrest
- Attending a hearing before a district judge who will determine if the statutory requirements for expungement have been met
If granted, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies to destroy or return all records and files related to the arrest. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.03, once an expungement order is final, the person may deny the occurrence of the arrest and the existence of the expunction order in most circumstances.
Individuals with questions about expungement eligibility should consult with the Hale County District Clerk's Office located at 500 Broadway, Suite 200, Plainview, TX 79072, or seek legal advice from a qualified attorney.
Search Arrest Records in Plainview
