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Edinburg Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Edinburg, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in Edinburg, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding arrests and other official activities conducted by law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision applies to arrest records maintained by the Edinburg Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within Hidalgo County. Members of the public seeking such information may submit requests in accordance with established procedures as outlined in the statute.

How to Look Up Edinburg Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Edinburg, Texas. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information for inspection or duplication. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records:

Visit the Edinburg Police Department: Individuals may submit requests in person at the department headquarters.

Edinburg Police Department
1702 S. Closner Blvd.
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 289-7700
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office: The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the entire county, including Edinburg.

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
711 El Cibolo Road
Edinburg, TX 78541
(956) 383-8114
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hidalgo County Clerk's Office: The Criminal Department of the County Clerk maintains official arrest records.

Hidalgo County Clerk's Office - Criminal Department
100 N. Closner Blvd.
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 318-2100
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Online Access: The Hidalgo County Records system provides electronic access to certain arrest records. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information. Fee schedules are established in accordance with rules prescribed by the Texas Attorney General's Office.

Contents of an Edinburg Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Edinburg law enforcement agencies and the Hidalgo County Clerk's Office typically contain the following information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description, including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint data
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond amount and conditions, as determined by the magistrate
Detention facility information, if applicable

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records pursuant to exceptions outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.101-152, including information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifying information.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Edinburg is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and federal levels. The Texas Public Information Act serves as the primary statutory authority, operating in conjunction with the following legal provisions:

Texas Government Code Chapter 552: Establishes the presumption that all government information is public unless specifically exempted by law.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17: Mandates the maintenance of arrest records by law enforcement agencies.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01-55.06: Outlines procedures for expungement and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances.
Federal Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552): Provides supplementary authority for access to records maintained by federal law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction.

The Hidalgo County Courthouse serves as the central repository for official court records related to arrests within the county. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221(a), the custodian of public records "shall promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both on application by any person."

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally accessible to the public, certain statutory exceptions and judicial orders may restrict access to specific information. The following limitations apply to arrest records in Edinburg:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, records that have been ordered sealed by a court are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile Records: Under Texas Family Code § 58.007, records pertaining to juvenile offenders are subject to heightened confidentiality protections.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information, may be redacted pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.147.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to a court order are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware of these limitations and may consult with the Hidalgo County Civil and Criminal Case Search department for guidance regarding accessibility of specific records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Edinburg

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement (also referred to as "expunction") is the legal process through which an arrest record is removed from official files and databases, effectively treating the arrest as if it never occurred.

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01, eligibility for expungement typically requires one of the following conditions:

The individual was arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
The individual was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
The individual was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program, and charges were dismissed

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Hidalgo County. The petition must comply with the requirements set forth in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, including proper notice to all agencies that may possess records related to the arrest.

Hidalgo County District Clerk's Office
100 N. Closner Blvd., 1st Floor
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 318-2200
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Filing fees for expungement petitions are established by the Hidalgo County District Clerk and are subject to change. Current fee schedules may be obtained by contacting the District Clerk's Office directly.