Arrest records in Irion County, Texas are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, must be made available for public inspection. The Act serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies operating in Irion County and throughout Texas.
The Texas Public Information Act specifically designates arrest records as public information under § 552.021, which states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Exceptions to disclosure exist under limited circumstances as outlined in § 552.101 through § 552.158, which may include ongoing investigations or records pertaining to juveniles.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Irion County should be aware that while these records are legally accessible, certain information within them may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and statutory exemptions.
Arrest records for Irion County can be accessed through various online platforms. The Irion County Sheriff's Office maintains certain arrest information that may be available through their official website. Additionally, the Irion County District Clerk's Office provides access to court records which often contain information related to arrests.
Online accessibility of arrest records is governed by Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 202, which establishes guidelines for electronic access to governmental information. Pursuant to these regulations, governmental bodies in Irion County must make reasonable efforts to provide electronic access to public information.
The comprehensiveness of online records may vary based on:
Users should note that while basic arrest information may be available online, obtaining complete records often requires direct contact with the appropriate county office.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Irion County, Texas. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:
Visit the Irion County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal records request: Irion County Sheriff's Office 209 N Park View St Mertzon, TX 76941 Phone: (325) 835-2561 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Request court records related to arrests from the Irion County District Clerk: Irion County District Clerk P.O. Box 270 Mertzon, TX 76941 Phone: (325) 835-2421 Fax: (325) 835-7941 Official Website Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Access the Irion County Court Dockets which contain information about criminal proceedings following arrests
Submit a public information request to the Irion County Clerk's Office for arrest-related documents
Utilize the Texas Department of Public Safety online resources for citation and arrest information
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information in response to proper requests. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record retrieval.
Arrest records maintained by Irion County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. In accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17, these records must include specific elements to ensure proper documentation of law enforcement actions.
Standard information contained in Irion County arrest records includes:
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records in compliance with Texas Government Code § 552.130, § 552.136, and § 552.147, which protect driver's license numbers, social security numbers, and other personal identifying information.
The expungement process in Irion County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Individuals may petition for expungement (also referred to as "expunction") when their situation meets statutory requirements.
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01, expungement eligibility generally applies to individuals who:
The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the district court in Irion County. This legal process typically involves:
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.02(b) specifies that the petition must include detailed information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings.
Upon successful expungement, government agencies must remove all records of the arrest and are prohibited from disclosing their existence under § 55.03.