> >Houston Arrest Records

Houston Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Houston, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Houston, 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 certain statutory exceptions. The Act specifically designates arrest records as public information unless they have been sealed or expunged through proper legal procedures.

The Texas Public Information Act operates under the principle that the public has a right to information concerning government affairs and the official acts of public officials and employees. In accordance with § 552.021 of the Texas Government Code, members of the public are entitled to complete information about governmental affairs and the official acts of public officials and employees.

Law enforcement agencies in Houston, including the Houston Police Department, maintain these records as part of their official duties. The records remain accessible through various governmental repositories and information systems maintained by Harris County and the City of Houston.

How to Look Up Houston Arrest Records in 2025

The process for accessing Houston arrest records has been streamlined through technological advancements implemented by local governmental agencies. Members of the public seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:

Submit a public information request to the Houston Police Department's Open Records Unit, located at 1200 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002. Requests may be submitted in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, by telephone at 713-308-3200, or via email.
Access the Harris County Public Records portal for arrest records maintained by county agencies. This resource provides digital access to various public records, including those related to law enforcement activities.
Visit the Harris County District Clerk's Office at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77002, during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) to request court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
Utilize the Harris County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information system for current detention status of individuals arrested in Harris County. The Sheriff's Office is located at 1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002, and can be reached at 713-755-6044.
Access the City of Houston Municipal Courts Department for records related to arrests for municipal violations. The main courthouse is located at 1400 Lubbock Street, Houston, TX 77002, with public service hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and if possible, the case or incident number associated with the arrest.

Contents of a Houston Arrest Record

Houston arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Texas state law and local regulations. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office)
Booking information, including the facility where the individual was processed
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records and other biometric data collected during processing
Case disposition information, if available
Bond information, including amount set and whether it was posted
Court assignment information for subsequent legal proceedings

Pursuant to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.26 and Art. 15.27, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain complete records of all arrests. These records serve both administrative and public safety purposes, providing documentation of law enforcement activities and enabling appropriate tracking of criminal justice processes.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Houston

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Houston operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by state and local authorities. This framework balances public access rights with privacy protections.

The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) serves as the primary legislation governing access to arrest records. Under § 552.108, certain law enforcement and prosecution records may be withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime. However, basic information about an arrested person, an arrest, or a crime is specifically designated as public information.

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure further regulates the creation and maintenance of arrest records. Article 60.01 establishes the Criminal Justice Information System, which includes arrest data from local agencies. The Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff's Office contribute to this system as mandated by state law.

Local ordinances and policies, including those established by the Houston Police Department and Harris County, provide additional guidance on record retention, access procedures, and fees for obtaining copies of arrest records. These policies must comply with state law while addressing specific local needs and resources.

Federal regulations, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Freedom of Information Act, may also apply to certain arrest records, particularly those involving federal agencies or federally funded programs operating within Houston.

Restrictions on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Houston are generally public, several statutory and procedural restrictions limit access to certain information. These restrictions serve to protect privacy rights, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, law enforcement agencies may withhold information if release would:

Interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
Reveal the identity of confidential informants
Endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under the Texas Family Code Chapter 58. These records are not publicly accessible except under specific circumstances outlined in the statute.

Arrest records that have been expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 governs expunction of arrest records, while Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code addresses the sealing of records through orders of nondisclosure.

Certain identifying information, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information, must be redacted from arrest records before public release, in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.147 and § 552.136.

The Houston Police Department's Open Records Unit reviews all requests for arrest records to ensure compliance with these restrictions before releasing information to the public.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Houston

The expungement process in Houston provides a legal mechanism for removing arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. This procedure is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Individuals may qualify for expungement of arrest records if:

They were arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were dismissed or quashed
They were acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
They were convicted but subsequently pardoned
They completed a pre-trial diversion program that qualifies for expungement
The statute of limitations for the offense has expired without charges being filed

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Harris County. The petition must include specific information as required by Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, including:

Full name, sex, race, date of birth, driver's license number, and Social Security number of the petitioner
The offense charged and the date of arrest
The law enforcement agency that made the arrest
The case number and court of jurisdiction

Upon filing, a hearing date will be set, typically within 30 days. All agencies holding records related to the arrest must be notified of the petition. If the court grants the expunction, all agencies must destroy or return all records and files related to the arrest.

The Harris County District Clerk's Office, located at 201 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77002, processes expungement petitions. Due to the legal complexities involved, many individuals seek legal representation when pursuing expungement.