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Bellaire Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bellaire, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Bellaire, 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 entities is available to the public, with specific statutory exemptions. The Texas Public Information Act ensures transparency in government operations and provides citizens with the right to access public records, including arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies within Bellaire.

Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to government transparency and accountability. The availability of arrest records serves multiple public interests, including:

Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
Supporting journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
Facilitating background checks for employment or housing purposes
Providing statistical data for research and policy development
Maintaining public oversight of law enforcement operations

The Bellaire Police Department, located at 5110 Jessamine Street, Bellaire, TX 77401, serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within the city limits and processes public information requests in accordance with state law.

How to Look Up Bellaire Arrest Records in 2025

The Records Unit of the Bellaire Police Department processes requests for arrest records and other public safety information. Individuals seeking arrest records in Bellaire have several methods available to them, each with specific procedures and requirements as outlined below:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Bellaire Police Department Records Division:
- Location: 5110 Jessamine Street, Bellaire, TX 77401
- Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Phone: 713-668-0487
- Proper identification is required when requesting records in person
Written requests may be submitted via mail to:
- Bellaire Police Department
- Records Division
- 5110 Jessamine Street
- Bellaire, TX 77401
Online access is available through:
- The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Record Information system
- The Harris County Justice Information Management System (JIMS)
- These systems require registration and may involve service fees
The Bellaire Municipal Court maintains records for Class C misdemeanors:
- Location: 7008 S. Rice Avenue, Bellaire, TX 77401
- Phone: 713-662-8105
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Requestors should note that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may be assessed for record retrieval, copying, and staff time. The standard processing time for requests is 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time as permitted under § 552.221(d).

Contents of a Bellaire Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Bellaire Police Department contain standardized information as required by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including citation of relevant Texas Penal Code sections
Case number and incident report reference information
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures
Detention status information, including bond amounts if applicable
Court assignment information for subsequent proceedings

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the circumstances of the arrest, and whether the case involved juvenile offenders, whose records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code Chapter 58.

Law enforcement agencies in Bellaire submit arrest data to the Texas Department of Public Safety as required by Texas Government Code § 411.042, which maintains the statewide criminal history database.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bellaire

The expungement process in Bellaire follows Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which provides legal mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Expungement (legally termed "expunction" in Texas) permanently removes all information about an arrest from criminal history records.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Bellaire include:

Cases resulting in acquittal (finding of "not guilty")
Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Charges that were dismissed and the statute of limitations has expired
Certain successfully completed deferred adjudication programs
Arrests for misidentification where another person was arrested using the petitioner's identity
Convictions that have been pardoned or otherwise overturned

The expungement procedure requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the Harris County District Court. This legal process involves:

Preparation of the petition with all required information as specified in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
Filing the petition with the district court clerk at:
- Harris County District Clerk's Office
- 201 Caroline Street
- Houston, TX 77002
Payment of filing fees (approximately $280 as of 2025)
Service of the petition to all agencies holding records of the arrest
Attendance at a scheduled court hearing where a judge will determine if the statutory requirements for expungement have been met

If granted, an Order of Expunction will be issued directing all agencies, including the Bellaire Police Department, to destroy or return all records and files related to the arrest. Pursuant to Article 55.03, once an expunction order is final, the person may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest and the existence of the expunction order, except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is complex and technical. The Harris County Law Library, located at 1019 Congress Street, Houston, TX 77002, provides self-help resources for those unable to secure legal representation.

Order of Non-Disclosure in Bellaire

For cases ineligible for expungement, Texas Government Code Chapter 411 provides an alternative remedy through Orders of Non-Disclosure. This legal mechanism seals criminal records from public view while maintaining them for access by law enforcement and certain governmental entities.

Non-disclosure is generally available to individuals who have successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for certain offenses. The process requires:

Verification of eligibility based on offense type and waiting period requirements
Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
Notification to the Bellaire Prosecutor's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety
Judicial review to determine if issuance of the order is in the best interest of justice

The Bellaire Municipal Court, which handles Class C misdemeanors, can provide information about non-disclosure eligibility for cases within its jurisdiction. For more serious offenses, petitions must be filed with the appropriate Harris County court.

Unlike expungement, records subject to an Order of Non-Disclosure remain available to:

Law enforcement agencies
Criminal justice agencies
Licensing and regulatory agencies
Certain government entities specified in Government Code § 411.0765

The practical effect of non-disclosure is that private employers, educational institutions, and the general public cannot access the sealed criminal record through background checks or public information requests.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Bellaire are generally public, Texas law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 17 years of age) are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and educational purposes
Information that would interfere with an active investigation or prosecution may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108
Victim information in sexual assault, family violence, and stalking cases receives heightened protection under Texas Government Code § 552.138
Medical and mental health information contained within arrest records is protected under both state law and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants is exempt from disclosure
Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records

The Bellaire Police Department Records Division reviews all requests for arrest information to ensure compliance with these statutory protections. Redacted copies may be provided when records contain both public and confidential information.