Yes, arrest records are public in Houston, Texas. This accessibility is governed by the Texas Public Information Act, which mandates that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental entities is available to the public, with certain exceptions. Arrest records, unless sealed or restricted by law, fall under this category, thereby making them accessible for public review.
To get Houston arrest records, several options are available, especially with advancements in digital access. While specific online platforms can be utilized, the following are general methods to access these records:
A Houston arrest record typically includes the following information:
In Houston, individuals may have the opportunity to expunge their arrest records, effectively removing them from public access and destroying the records. This process is available under specific conditions, such as if the arrest did not lead to a conviction, or if the individual was acquitted, among other scenarios. To initiate an expungement, the individual must file a petition in the court that handled the case, often requiring legal assistance to navigate the complexities of the process.