Arrest records are public documents in Alice, Texas, accessible to all members of the public. This accessibility is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this legislation, records created, collected, or maintained by governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies, must be made available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law. The Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office and Alice Police Department maintain these records as part of their official duties and must comply with public information requests pursuant to state law.
Certain exceptions may apply to the release of arrest records, particularly those involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety. However, the presumption under Texas law favors disclosure, with the burden of proving an exception falling on the governmental body seeking to withhold information.
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Alice, Texas in 2025. Members of the public seeking this information may utilize the following official channels:
Alice Police Department Records Division: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the department headquarters. Staff will assist with locating and providing copies of available public records.
Alice Police Department
415 E. Main Street
Alice, TX 78332
361-664-0186
Alice Police Department
Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office: The county maintains records of arrests made within its jurisdiction, including those in Alice. Requestors may submit formal requests for these documents.
Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office
200 N. Almond Street
Alice, TX 78332
361-668-0341
Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office
Jim Wells County Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings, are maintained by the County Clerk.
Jim Wells County Clerk
200 N. Almond Street, Suite 101
Alice, TX 78332
361-668-5706
Jim Wells County Clerk
Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service: The state maintains a centralized criminal history database that includes arrest records from Alice and other Texas jurisdictions.
Texas DPS Crime Records Service
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
512-424-2000
Texas DPS Criminal History Information
Requests for arrest records may require submission of specific forms and payment of applicable fees as established by Texas Administrative Code §70.12. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the request and the agency's current workload.
Arrest records maintained by Alice law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 2.17. These official documents typically include:
Pursuant to Texas Government Code §411.135, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft. Medical information contained in arrest records is protected under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and Texas Health and Safety Code §181.001.
Texas law provides mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs the expungement process in Alice and throughout Texas. Individuals may petition for expungement if their situation meets one of the following statutory criteria:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Jim Wells County. This legal procedure necessitates strict adherence to statutory requirements outlined in Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 55.02.
Jim Wells County District Clerk
200 N. Almond Street, Suite 101
Alice, TX 78332
361-668-5740
Jim Wells County District Clerk
Upon successful expungement, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest must destroy or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest pursuant to court order. Following expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.
For arrests not qualifying for expungement, Texas offers an alternative remedy called "Order of Nondisclosure" under Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes. This option is available primarily to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for certain offenses.