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Kingsville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kingsville, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in Kingsville, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government information, including arrest records, is available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act implements the principle that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities and decisions, which is fundamental to maintaining transparency in a democratic society.

The City of Kingsville maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided under § 552.108 and § 552.1175 of the Texas Government Code. Such protected information may include details related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information of certain protected classes of individuals such as law enforcement personnel.

How to Look Up Kingsville Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Kingsville provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025. These access methods have been established to comply with the Texas Public Information Act while accommodating various technological capabilities and preferences:

Online Portal Access: The Kingsville Municipal Court maintains a digital database where certain arrest records can be searched. Users must create an account and may be required to pay nominal fees for document retrieval.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the Kingsville Police Department Records Division, located at 1700 E. King Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written Requests: Public Information Act requests may be submitted in writing to the City Secretary's Office at 400 W. King Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363. Requests must include specific information to identify the desired records.
Kleberg County Clerk's Office: For arrest records that have proceeded to court action, the Kleberg County Clerk maintains court records at 700 E. Kleberg Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Requestors should note that pursuant to § 552.261 of the Texas Government Code, reasonable fees may be charged for document retrieval, copying, and staff time required to process requests exceeding certain thresholds.

Contents of a Kingsville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the City of Kingsville law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17. These records generally include the following components:

Demographic Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying physical characteristics
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of city ordinances or state laws, including citation of relevant statutes
Booking Information: Booking number, date and time of booking, facility where detained
Photographic Documentation: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process
Biometric Data: Fingerprints and, in some cases, DNA samples collected during processing
Case Disposition: Status of the case, including bail or bond information, court dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions, if applicable

It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, Rule § 27.54, certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records to protect ongoing investigations or individual privacy rights as prescribed by law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kingsville

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Kingsville under specific circumstances. Expungement is a legal process that, when granted, removes arrest records from public access and allows individuals to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most contexts.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Kingsville include:

Cases resulting in acquittal (finding of "not guilty")
Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Charges that were dismissed and the statute of limitations has expired
Certain successfully completed deferred adjudication programs
Convictions that were later pardoned or overturned on appeal
Arrests resulting from identity theft or false identification

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the Kleberg County District Court, located at 700 E. Kleberg Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363. Petitioners must comply with the procedural requirements set forth in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which includes serving all agencies that may possess records related to the arrest.

Upon granting an expunction order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest are directed to delete or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest. Pursuant to Article 55.03, once an expunction order is final, the person arrested may deny the occurrence of the arrest and the existence of the expunction order, except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.

Juvenile Arrest Records in Kingsville

Juvenile arrest records in Kingsville are subject to special confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code Chapter 58. These provisions recognize the unique status of juvenile offenders and the state's interest in rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Juvenile records generally include arrests, detentions, and adjudications of individuals who were at least 10 years old but under 17 years of age at the time of the alleged offense. Access to these records is significantly restricted compared to adult records:

Records are not available through standard public information requests
Access is limited to criminal justice agencies, schools, and other authorized entities
Sealed records require a court order for access
Automatic restriction of access occurs for certain qualifying juveniles upon reaching adulthood

The Kingsville Juvenile Justice Department, operating under the authority of the Kleberg County Juvenile Board, maintains these confidential records at 700 E. Kleberg Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363. Telephone: (361) 595-8585.

Parents or legal guardians seeking information about juvenile records should contact the Kleberg County Juvenile Probation Department directly, as these records are not accessible through standard public information channels.

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Kingsville

Arrest records in Kingsville can have significant legal and practical implications for individuals. These records, even without resulting convictions, may affect various aspects of a person's life pursuant to Texas state law and local regulations:

Employment Opportunities: Under Texas Labor Code § 51.971, certain employers are required to conduct background checks that may reveal arrest records, potentially affecting hiring decisions.
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may review arrest records when evaluating rental applications.
Professional Licensing: Many professional licensing boards in Texas, including those governing healthcare, education, and legal professions, consider arrest records when evaluating applications.
Higher Education: Some educational institutions and scholarship programs review criminal history during the application process.
Firearm Purchases: Federal and Texas state laws restrict firearm purchases based on certain criminal records.
Immigration Status: Non-citizens may face immigration consequences for arrests, even without convictions.

It is important to note that under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), consumer reporting agencies that provide background checks to employers may not report arrest records that are more than seven years old unless the position meets certain salary thresholds or other exceptions.

Individuals with concerns about the impact of arrest records should consult with legal counsel familiar with Texas record sealing and expungement laws to determine potential remedies available under current statutes.