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Borger Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Borger, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Borger, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental bodies is available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Borger Police Department maintains these records as part of their official duties in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public may access these records through established procedures set forth by the City of Borger and the State of Texas.

The Texas Public Information Act specifically addresses arrest records in § 552.108, which provides certain exemptions for law enforcement records. However, basic information about arrests, including the arrested person's name, age, address, and the charges filed, remains public information. The Borger Police Department adheres to these statutory requirements when processing public information requests for arrest records.

How to Look Up Borger Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Borger provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Borger Police Department located at 611 N. Weatherly Street, Borger, TX 79007. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Department personnel will assist with completing the necessary public records request form.
Online Requests: The City of Borger maintains an electronic public records request portal where citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records. This system operates 24 hours per day and provides tracking capabilities for submitted requests.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to: Records Division, Borger Police Department, 611 N. Weatherly Street, Borger, TX 79007. Requests must include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the records being sought.
Municipal Court Access: For cases that have proceeded to court, the Borger Municipal Court located at 600 N. Main Street, Borger, TX 79007 maintains records of cases within their jurisdiction. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the Borger Police Department must promptly produce public information in response to an application. "Promptly" means as soon as possible under the circumstances, within a reasonable time, without delay.

Contents of a Borger Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Borger Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific 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 records
Custody status and bail/bond information if applicable
Case disposition information if available
Incident report number for cross-reference purposes

The Borger Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Texas Local Government Code § 202.001, which establishes requirements for local government record retention. Arrest records are subject to specific retention schedules as determined by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The legal foundation for public access to arrest records in Borger is established through multiple statutory provisions. The following legal framework governs the accessibility of these records:

Texas Public Information Act: Codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, this legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005: This statute specifically addresses the public nature of certain criminal history information, including arrest data.
City of Borger Municipal Code Chapter 2, Article IV: Local ordinances establish procedures for requesting and obtaining public records from city departments, including the police department.

The Borger Police Department serves as the custodian of arrest records within city limits and processes requests in accordance with these legal provisions. The department's records division is responsible for reviewing requests and providing responsive documents while protecting information that may be exempt from disclosure under applicable laws.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Borger, certain statutory exemptions and limitations apply to their disclosure. The following restrictions may affect public access:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007, records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 17) are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and may not be publicly disclosed except under limited circumstances.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged by court order in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed through an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 are restricted from public disclosure.
Active Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime, as provided in Texas Government Code § 552.108.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted from arrest records prior to release, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information.

The Borger Public Safety Department reviews all requests for arrest records to ensure compliance with these statutory limitations before releasing information to the public.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Borger

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process in Borger follows procedures established in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were filed but later dismissed
The person was acquitted of charges (found "not guilty")
The person was convicted but later pardoned
The person completed certain types of deferred adjudication or pretrial diversion programs for qualifying offenses

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the district court of Hutchinson County. Upon approval, an expungement order directs all agencies, including the Borger Police Department, to destroy or return all records related to the arrest. Following expungement, the arrest is deemed never to have occurred, and the individual may legally deny the existence of the arrest except in very limited circumstances.

The Borger Municipal Court can provide information about the expungement process for cases within its jurisdiction, though the actual petition must be filed with the district court.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records

The City of Borger assesses fees for copies of arrest records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes governmental bodies to charge for the cost of providing public information. The current fee schedule for arrest records is as follows:

Standard arrest record: $10.00 per record
Certified copies: Additional $5.00 per document
Extensive searches requiring more than one hour of staff time: $15.00 per hour after the first hour
Copies exceeding 50 pages: $0.10 per page plus labor costs
Electronic copies provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc

Fee waivers or reductions may be available for requests that are in the public interest or for individuals who demonstrate financial hardship. Payment must be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the City of Borger. The City of Borger reviews and updates its fee schedule periodically in accordance with state guidelines.