Arrest records are public documents in Levelland, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental bodies is presumed to be available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and upholds the public's right to access information regarding law enforcement activities. Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by local law enforcement agencies and court systems in Levelland, subject to specific exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifying information as outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.108 and § 552.130.
The City of Levelland and Hockley County maintain these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities. Public access to arrest records supports community awareness, journalistic reporting, and background verification processes. Requestors should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Texas law.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Levelland, Texas. Individuals may utilize any of the following methods to access this information:
Levelland Police Department
105 Avenue G
Levelland, TX 79336
(806) 894-6164
Levelland Police Department
Hockley County Sheriff's Office
1310 Avenue H
Levelland, TX 79336
(806) 894-3126
Hockley County Sheriff's Office
Hockley County District Clerk
802 Houston Street, Suite 233
Levelland, TX 79336
(806) 894-3162
Hockley County District Clerk
Levelland Municipal Court
1709 Avenue H
Levelland, TX 79336
(806) 894-0113
Levelland Municipal Court
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records. Fee schedules are established in accordance with guidelines provided by the Texas Attorney General's Office. Requestors should inquire about applicable fees when submitting their requests.
Arrest records maintained by Levelland law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17. These records generally include the following elements:
In accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, Rule § 27.54, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to victims of certain offenses. Additionally, pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and may not be available through standard public record requests.
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement effectively removes arrest information from official records and, when granted, permits the individual to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Levelland include:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Hockley County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information including:
Following the filing of the petition, a hearing will be scheduled, and notice must be provided to all agencies that may have records subject to expungement. If the court grants the expunction order, all agencies named in the order must comply by destroying or returning all records related to the arrest.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The filing fee for an expungement petition in Hockley County is approximately $300, though this amount may vary. Additional costs may include attorney fees if legal representation is obtained.