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Tomball Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Tomball, Texas?

Yes, arrest records are public in Tomball, Texas. This accessibility is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental entity is available to the public unless expressly exempted by law. Arrest records, as part of the public records domain, provide transparency and maintain public oversight of law enforcement and governmental activities within the jurisdiction of Tomball.

The Texas Public Information Act specifically designates arrest records as public information under § 552.021, which states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Members of the public may request access to these records through proper channels established by the City of Tomball and Harris County authorities.

How to Look Up Tomball Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Tomball arrest records, individuals have several options available in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.221. The Tomball Police Department maintains these records and provides multiple methods for public access. The following procedures are established for requesting and obtaining arrest records in Tomball:

Visit the Tomball Police Department Records Division in person at 400 Fannin Street, Tomball, TX 77375. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Submit a written Public Information Request to the Records Division as specified under Texas Government Code § 552.234. Request forms are available at the police department or can be downloaded from the Records Division website.
Access public terminals located at the Tomball Municipal Court at 400 Fannin Street, Tomball, TX 77375, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Check the Tomball Municipal Court online database for citation and case information related to arrests within city limits.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, reasonable fees may be charged for copies of arrest records. The standard fee schedule is established by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas and is posted at all record request locations.

Contents of a Tomball Arrest Record

A Tomball arrest record typically contains comprehensive information as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. These records are maintained by the Tomball Police Department and include the following standard elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known nicknames
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged offense(s) and corresponding Texas Penal Code sections
Arresting agency information, including officer identification and badge numbers
Booking details, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Personal identifying information such as date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks), and last known address
Case disposition information, if available
Bond information, including amount set and whether posted
Warrant information, if applicable to the arrest

The Jail Operations Section of the Tomball Police Department maintains additional detention records for individuals processed through their facility. These records may contain supplementary information regarding the arrestee's detention status.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Tomball

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Tomball operate within a specific legal framework established by state and local regulations. The Texas Public Information Act serves as the primary legislation governing public access to these records, with several key provisions affecting how arrest information is handled:

Texas Government Code § 552.108 provides limited exceptions for withholding law enforcement records when release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005 requires specific information about registered sex offenders to be publicly accessible.
Texas Family Code § 58.007 restricts access to juvenile arrest records, which are generally confidential and subject to different disclosure rules than adult records.
Harris County local regulations may impose additional requirements for record requests within the county jurisdiction that encompasses Tomball.

The Tomball Municipal Court and Tomball Police Department are bound by these legal frameworks when processing requests for arrest records. Governmental entities must respond to requests within 10 business days as mandated by Texas Government Code § 552.221(d).

Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Tomball are generally public, certain restrictions and exemptions exist under Texas law that limit access to specific information. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108(a)(1).
Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants is protected under Texas Government Code § 552.108(a)(2).
Juvenile arrest records are subject to confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code § 58.007, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and judicial purposes.
Records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court are not available for public inspection.
Personal identifying information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.147 and § 552.101.

The Tomball Municipal Court adheres to these restrictions when processing requests for arrest records. Individuals seeking access to restricted information may need to demonstrate proper legal authority or obtain a court order.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Tomball

In Tomball, the expungement of arrest records is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Individuals who wish to have their arrest records expunged must file a petition in the court that handled their case or in the district court of Harris County. This legal process, known as expunction, is available under the following circumstances as specified in Article 55.01:

The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
The charges were dismissed or quashed
The person was acquitted of the charges at trial
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The statute of limitations has expired for an offense for which the person was released and no charges were filed

The petition for expungement must be filed with the Tomball Municipal Court for Class C misdemeanors or with the Harris County District Court for more serious offenses. Upon approval of the expungement order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest must destroy or return all records and files related to the arrest as mandated by Article 55.02.

The expungement process typically requires payment of filing fees and may necessitate a court hearing. Legal representation is advisable but not required for this procedure.