Stinnett Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Stinnett, Texas?
Arrest records are public in Stinnett, 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 to be public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and provides citizens with the right to access public records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction of Stinnett. Law enforcement agencies in Stinnett are required to maintain these records and make them available for public inspection in accordance with state regulations.
The public nature of arrest records serves multiple civic purposes. These records enable community members to monitor law enforcement activities, provide accountability for governmental actions, and inform citizens about potential public safety concerns. Texas courts have consistently upheld the public's right to access these records, recognizing their importance to an informed citizenry and transparent governance.
How to Look Up Stinnett Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Stinnett, Texas have several official channels through which this information may be obtained:
Stinnett Police Department: Individuals may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. The Stinnett Police Department maintains records of arrests conducted within city limits.
Stinnett Police Department
609 Morse Avenue
Stinnett, TX 79083
(806) 878-2422
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMHutchinson County Sheriff's Office: As the primary law enforcement agency for the county, the Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records for the entire jurisdiction, including Stinnett.
Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office
500 Main Street
Stinnett, TX 79083
(806) 878-2421
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMHutchinson County Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions, may be accessed through the County Clerk.
Hutchinson County Clerk
500 Main Street, Room 110
Stinnett, TX 79083
(806) 878-4010
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMTexas Department of Public Safety: For statewide criminal history information, the Texas DPS maintains a centralized database accessible through formal request procedures.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2000
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, agencies may charge reasonable fees for record retrieval, copying, and staff time required to fulfill requests.
Contents of a Stinnett Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Stinnett law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27:
- Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying features such as scars or tattoos
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; statutory authority under which the arrest was made; and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Texas Penal Code or municipal ordinances for which the individual was arrested
- Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprints, and mugshot photographs taken during processing
- Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release on bond, or transfer to other facilities
- Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, if available
- Prior Criminal History: May include references to previous arrests or convictions if relevant to the current case
In accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records if its release would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime. Additionally, information related to juveniles (under 17 years of age) is subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under Texas Family Code Chapter 58.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Stinnett
The expungement process in Stinnett follows Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which provides legal mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Expungement (legally termed "expunction" in Texas) permanently destroys all records and files related to an arrest.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Stinnett include:
- Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
- Charges that were dismissed or quashed
- Acquittals by trial or appellate courts
- Pardons based on actual innocence
- Completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
- Arrests for qualifying misdemeanors committed by minors who have satisfied statutory requirements
The expungement procedure requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Hutchinson County. This legal document must contain specific information as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 55.02, including:
- Full name, sex, race, date of birth, driver's license number, and social security number of the petitioner
- Address at the time of arrest
- Offense charged and date of alleged commission
- County where the arrest occurred
- Name of the agency that made the arrest
- Case number and court of offense
- Detailed statement explaining eligibility for expunction
Upon filing, the court will schedule a hearing to determine if the petitioner meets all statutory requirements. If granted, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies holding records of the arrest to destroy or return them to the court. Following successful expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.
For arrests that do not qualify for expungement, Texas law provides an alternative remedy through an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. This process seals records from public view while maintaining them for use by law enforcement and certain governmental entities.
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