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Beaumont Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Beaumont, Texas?

Yes, arrest records are public in Beaumont, Texas. This accessibility is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which establishes that government records, including those related to arrests, shall be available to the public. The statute supports principles of transparency and accountability in governance, allowing citizens to obtain information that affects the community and their personal safety. Pursuant to this legislation, the Beaumont Police Department maintains records that are accessible through established protocols and procedures.

The Texas Public Information Act specifically states in § 552.021 that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Exceptions to disclosure exist under § 552.101 through § 552.158, which protect certain categories of information such as ongoing investigations or juvenile records.

How to Look Up Beaumont Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain arrest records in Beaumont in 2025, members of the public have multiple methods available. The Records Management Division of the Beaumont Police Department processes these requests through the following channels:

Online Search Systems: Residents may access digital platforms provided by the Beaumont Police Department to search for and view arrest records. The department's online portal allows for searches by name, date of arrest, or case number.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Division at the Beaumont Police Department headquarters to submit requests directly. Proper identification is required, and standard fees apply for document reproduction.

Beaumont Police Department Records Division
255 College Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 880-3901
Official Website

Mail-In Requests: For those unable to make digital or in-person inquiries, formal requests may be submitted via mail to:

Beaumont Police Records
PO Box 3827
Beaumont, TX 77704

Third-Party Services: Various authorized third-party companies offer record retrieval services for a fee. These services must comply with all applicable state laws regarding the dissemination of public records.

All requests must be submitted in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act, which allows governmental bodies up to 10 business days to respond to requests for information.

Contents of a Beaumont Arrest Record

A Beaumont arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual involved. Standard elements include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Detailed description of the charges filed against the individual
Booking agency information
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records
Physical descriptions including height, weight, eye and hair color, and any distinguishing characteristics such as scars, marks, or tattoos
Arresting officer's information
Case number and incident report references
Custody status information

The Beaumont Municipal Court maintains records of Class C misdemeanor violations, while more serious offenses are processed through the Jefferson County Court system.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The legal foundation for public access to arrest records in Beaumont is established through multiple layers of legislation. The Texas Public Information Act serves as the primary statutory authority, operating in conjunction with federal regulations and local ordinances.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.022, certain categories of information, including police blotter information and arrest records, are expressly designated as public unless specifically exempted by law. The statute establishes that:

Records of arrests, including the name, address, and physical description of each person arrested, are public information
Information about charges filed and the circumstances of the arrest are accessible to the public
Booking photographs are generally available for public inspection

The Beaumont Police Department adheres to these statutory requirements while balancing privacy considerations in accordance with § 552.108, which provides exemptions for certain law enforcement and prosecutorial information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Beaumont

In Beaumont, the expungement of arrest records is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Individuals who have been arrested may petition for expungement under specific circumstances:

The charges were dismissed or no charges were filed after arrest
The individual was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
The individual was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The individual successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program
The statute of limitations has expired for the offense for which the person was arrested

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the district court in Jefferson County. Pursuant to Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the petition must include:

Detailed personal information of the petitioner
Information about the arrest and charges
The grounds on which expungement is sought
A request for a hearing on the matter

Jefferson County District Clerk's Office
1085 Pearl Street, Room 203
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8580
Official Website

Upon approval of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest are directed to destroy or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest.

Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Records

Not all arrest records in Beaumont are available for public access. Texas law establishes specific categories of protected information that are exempt from disclosure. These restrictions include:

Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 17 years of age), which are governed by Title 3 of the Texas Family Code
Records related to ongoing criminal investigations, as protected under § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code
Arrests that have been expunged or subject to an order of non-disclosure
Information that would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
Records that contain information about victims of certain offenses

The Beaumont Municipal Court and Court Services maintain strict protocols for the protection of restricted information while facilitating appropriate public access to non-restricted records.