Arrest records in Venus, Texas are considered public information pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government-held information, including records of arrests made by law enforcement agencies operating within Venus city limits. The statute specifically designates that records created, collected, or maintained by governmental bodies in the course of official business shall be accessible to the public, with certain statutory exceptions.
Members of the public may request and review these records as part of their right to governmental transparency. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the presumption that all government information is available to the public, unless specifically exempted by law. Law enforcement agencies in Venus must comply with these disclosure requirements while balancing privacy considerations as outlined in § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code.
It should be noted that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly when involving minors, victims of certain crimes, or ongoing investigations.
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Venus, Texas. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these documents:
Venus Police Department
103 W. 3rd Street
Venus, TX 76084
Phone: (972) 366-3332
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Individuals seeking arrest records may submit a written request in person at the Records Division. Requestors must complete a Public Information Request form and provide proper identification. Processing times typically range from 5-10 business days, depending on the complexity and volume of the request.
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
1102 E. Kilpatrick Street
Cleburne, TX 76031
Phone: (817) 556-6060
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive records of arrests occurring within Johnson County, including those in Venus. Requestors may submit applications in person or via mail with the required identification documentation and applicable fees.
Johnson County District Clerk's Office
Johnson County Courthouse
2 North Main Street, Room 204
Cleburne, TX 76033
Phone: (817) 556-6323
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions, may be accessed through the District Clerk's Office. The office maintains a public access terminal for on-site searches.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
Phone: (512) 424-2000
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The DPS maintains the statewide criminal history database. Authorized entities may request criminal history information through the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH).
Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, requestors must pay established fees for record retrieval services. As of 2025, standard processing fees range from $10-$25 per record, with additional charges for certified copies.
Venus arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. These official documents typically include the following components:
In accordance with Texas Administrative Code § 61.1(b), certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.008, records pertaining to juvenile offenders are subject to heightened confidentiality protections.
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records maintained in Venus and throughout the state. This process is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Venus include:
The expungement process requires petitioners to file an Ex Parte Petition for Expunction with the district court in Johnson County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include:
Upon filing, the court will schedule a hearing date, typically 30-60 days following submission. Notice of the hearing must be served to all agencies believed to maintain records of the arrest, including the Venus Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
If granted, an Order of Expunction directs all agencies to destroy or return all records and files related to the arrest. Following successful expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.
Alternative remedies include Orders of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seal records from public view but maintain them for law enforcement purposes. These orders are available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication for certain offenses.
Filing fees for expungement petitions in Johnson County range from $250-$500, with additional costs for service of process and certified copies. Indigent petitioners may apply for fee waivers under certain circumstances.