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Terrell Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Terrell, Texas?

Arrest records in Terrell, Texas are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the principle that governmental transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and accountability. Citizens have the legal right to access information about law enforcement activities, including arrests, within their community.

The Texas Public Information Act specifically addresses arrest records in §552.108, which provides that information held by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime is subject to public disclosure once an arrest has been made. However, certain information may be withheld if its release would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime, or if it relates to an informant or ongoing investigation.

How to Look Up Terrell Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Terrell, Texas as of 2025. The Texas Public Information Act guarantees public access to these records through several official channels:

Terrell Police Department Records Division: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the Records & Communication Division of the Terrell Police Department.

Terrell Police Department
1100 N State Highway 34
Terrell, TX 75160
469-474-2680
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Kaufman County Clerk's Office: The county clerk maintains court records related to arrests within the county jurisdiction.

Kaufman County Clerk's Office
100 W. Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
972-932-4331
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Online Public Records Portal: The City of Terrell maintains an online portal where certain public records can be accessed electronically.
Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service: This state agency maintains a centralized database of arrest records throughout Texas.

Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765-4143
512-424-2000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Pursuant to Texas Government Code §552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public information. Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees when requesting physical copies of arrest records.

Contents of a Terrell Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Terrell Police Department contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. A typical arrest record includes the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, sex, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, including citation of applicable statutes
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records collected during booking
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking details including processing time and detention facility
Bail or bond information if applicable
Court appearance dates and disposition information

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure requires law enforcement agencies to maintain complete and accurate records of all arrests. These records must be preserved according to the retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under Government Code §441.158.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Terrell, Texas, certain legal restrictions limit access to specific information contained within these records. The following restrictions apply pursuant to state and federal laws:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Texas Family Code §58.007, records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 17) are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and are not publicly accessible except under limited circumstances.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred.
Orders of Nondisclosure: Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, certain records may be sealed by court order, prohibiting criminal justice agencies from disclosing information about the offense to the public.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code §552.108 if disclosure would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Victim Information: Personal identifying information of crime victims, particularly in cases involving sexual assault, family violence, or stalking, is protected under Texas Government Code §552.1325.
Personal Identifying Information: Certain personal data such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information is redacted from public records pursuant to Texas Government Code §552.147.

The Terrell Municipal Court and law enforcement agencies are required to comply with these restrictions when processing public information requests for arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Terrell

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The legal process for expungement in Terrell is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were filed but later dismissed
The person was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
The person was convicted but later pardoned
The person completed a pre-trial diversion program that qualifies for expungement
The statute of limitations for the offense has expired without charges being filed

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Kaufman County. If granted, an Order of Expunction is issued directing all agencies holding records of the arrest to destroy or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest.

Alternatively, individuals who do not qualify for expungement may seek an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals the record from public view but allows access by criminal justice agencies.

The Terrell Municipal Court can provide information about the procedures for filing expungement petitions for cases within its jurisdiction. For more serious offenses, petitions must be filed with the Kaufman County District Court.