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Mission Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Mission, Texas?

Arrest records are public information in Mission, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental entities is presumed open to public inspection, with specific statutory exceptions. The public nature of arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including enabling citizens to monitor the criminal justice system, promoting governmental transparency, and facilitating public safety awareness within the community.

The Mission Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these records through established protocols, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.108 and § 552.101.

How to Look Up Mission Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Mission provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest record information. Each method varies in terms of processing time, convenience, and comprehensiveness of information provided. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Mission Police Department located at 1200 E. 8th Street, Mission, TX 78572. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A valid government-issued photo identification is required when requesting records in person.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to: Records Division, Mission Police Department, 1200 E. 8th Street, Mission, TX 78572. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
Online Portal Access: The Mission Police Department provides limited online access to recent arrest information through their official website. This service is available 24 hours per day, though detailed records may require formal requests.
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Mission Municipal Court located within the Mission Public Safety Building for searching basic arrest information. These terminals are accessible during regular court hours.

For assistance with arrest record inquiries, the public may contact the Records Division at (956) 584-5000. Processing times typically range from 3-10 business days depending on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload.

Contents of a Mission Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Mission Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. These records are maintained in accordance with the Texas Local Government Records Act (Texas Local Government Code § 201.001 et seq.) and typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Jurisdictional Information: Arresting agency and officer identification
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including applicable sections of the City of Mission Code of Ordinances or Texas Penal Code
Booking Documentation: Booking number, processing information, and detention facility details
Biometric Data: Fingerprints and mugshot photographs
Case Disposition: Initial court appearance information, bail/bond amounts and conditions
Criminal History: Prior arrests within the jurisdiction, if applicable

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain information may be withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code § 58.007.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Mission is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The primary statutes governing this access include:

The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest information, are open to public inspection. Section 552.021 specifically states that "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body."

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005, certain arrest information related to registered sex offenders must be made publicly available. The Mission Police Department maintains this registry in compliance with state law.

The City of Mission Municipal Code contains provisions regarding local law enforcement records management and retention schedules. These local regulations operate in conjunction with state law to establish protocols for maintaining and providing access to arrest records.

Federal regulations, including the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a), may impact the dissemination of arrest information that has been shared with federal agencies or is contained in federal databases accessible to local law enforcement.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Mission, Texas, several important statutory and procedural limitations restrict access to certain information. These limitations serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, records that have been ordered sealed by a court are not accessible to the general public. This includes arrests resulting in acquittals, dismissals, or successful completion of certain diversion programs.
Juvenile Records: Under Texas Family Code § 58.007, records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 17) are subject to strict confidentiality provisions and are not generally available for public inspection.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108 if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted from arrest records, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.101 and § 552.130.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred, as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55.

The Mission Municipal Court and Mission Police Department are responsible for ensuring compliance with these limitations when responding to public information requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Mission

The expungement process in Mission, Texas provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to remove arrest records from public access. This procedure is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and is administered through the judicial system.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Mission include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Arrests for which the individual received a pardon
Certain misdemeanor juvenile offenses
Arrests for which the statute of limitations has expired without charges being filed

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Hidalgo County. Petitioners must provide detailed information about the arrest, including date, charge, arresting agency, and case disposition. Upon review, if all statutory requirements are met, the court may issue an Order of Expunction directing all agencies to destroy or return all records related to the arrest.

Following expungement, the arrest is treated as if it never occurred, and the individual may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest in most circumstances, including on employment applications. The Mission Municipal Court, located at 1200 E. 8th Street, Mission, TX 78572, can provide procedural information regarding expungement eligibility and filing requirements.