>Lavaca County Arrest Records Online

Lavaca County, Texas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lavaca County, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Lavaca County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental entities is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the premise that all government information is presumed to be available to the public. Arrest records maintained by the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office fall within this category of public information unless specifically exempted by law.

Exemptions that may apply to arrest records include:

Information related to ongoing criminal investigations (§ 552.108)
Information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
Records that have been sealed by court order
Juvenile records, which are subject to different confidentiality standards under Texas Family Code § 58.007

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these records are generally accessible, certain personal identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Texas Government Code § 552.147 and § 552.1325.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lavaca County?

Arrest records can be found online in Lavaca County through various digital platforms maintained by governmental agencies and third-party aggregators. The Lavaca County official website provides access to certain public records, though the availability of comprehensive arrest records may vary. The Texas Department of Public Safety also maintains a Criminal History database that includes arrest information from counties throughout the state, including Lavaca County.

Online access to these records is governed by Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 202, which establishes standards for electronic access to governmental information. Users should note that:

Some records may require registration or payment of statutory fees
The completeness of online records may not match those available through in-person requests
Records available online may have a delay in updating compared to the most current information
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions of arrest records

The re:SearchTX platform also provides access to court case information from all 254 Texas counties, including cases that may be associated with arrests in Lavaca County.

How to Look Up Lavaca County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Lavaca County arrest records, individuals may utilize several methods established by Texas Government Code § 552.221, which requires governmental bodies to promptly produce public information upon request. The following options are available for accessing these records:

Submit an in-person request at the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office located at 38 FM 318, Hallettsville, TX 77964. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Mail a formal written request to: Lavaca County Sheriff's Office, PO Box 373, Hallettsville, TX 77964. Requests should include the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Contact the Sheriff's Office by phone at (361) 798-2121 to inquire about the proper procedure for requesting specific records.
Submit a request to the Lavaca County District Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests. The office is located at 412 N. Texana, Hallettsville, TX 77964.
Utilize the Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal History Record Information system, which includes arrest data reported by Lavaca County law enforcement agencies.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may apply for copies of arrest records. The fee schedule is established by the Office of the Attorney General and may include charges for document retrieval, copying, and certification.

Contents of a Lavaca County Arrest Record

Lavaca County arrest records typically contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251, which establishes reporting requirements for criminal justice agencies. A comprehensive arrest record generally includes:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Arresting agency information and badge number of the arresting officer
Booking number and facility information
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Photographic identification (mugshot)
Custody status information, including:
- Bond amount and type (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
- Court assignment information
- Scheduled court appearance dates

The Lavaca County Clerk's Office maintains certain records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings for misdemeanor cases, while the District Clerk handles felony cases. These records may contain additional information regarding case disposition and court proceedings.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lavaca County

In Lavaca County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Expungement (also referred to as "expunction") is a legal process that removes arrest records from public access and allows individuals to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Lavaca County include:

The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
The person was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The person completed a pretrial diversion program resulting in dismissal
The statute of limitations for the offense has expired without charges being filed

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the Thirteenth Court of Appeals district court that has jurisdiction over Lavaca County cases. The petition must comply with the requirements specified in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, including:

Full identification information of the petitioner
Date of the arrest and charges sought to be expunged
Name of the arresting agency
Case number and court of offense (if applicable)
Statement that the petitioner is eligible for expunction

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing, and notice will be provided to all agencies that may have records subject to expunction. If the court grants the expunction, all agencies must comply with the order to destroy or return all records related to the arrest.

Search Arrest Records in Lavaca County

Lavaca County Sheriff's Office
38 FM 318
PO Box 373
Hallettsville, TX 77964
Phone: (361) 798-2121
Official Website

Lavaca County District Clerk
412 N. Texana
Hallettsville, TX 77964
Phone: (361) 798-2308
Official Website