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Lubbock Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lubbock, Texas?

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), arrest records are public in Lubbock, Texas. This statute establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental entities is available to the public, with specific exemptions as provided by law. Arrest records fall within the scope of public information unless they pertain to ongoing investigations or contain protected personal information as defined in § 552.108 and § 552.130 of the Texas Government Code.

Members of the public may access arrest records through designated channels established by local law enforcement agencies and the judicial system. The Lubbock County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing public information accessibility and retention schedules.

How to Look Up Lubbock Arrest Records in 2025

The Lubbock County government provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records. Requestors seeking such information may utilize the following methods:

Online Database Access: The Lubbock County Jail Roster provides real-time information on current inmates and recent arrests. This resource is maintained as a public service by Lubbock County pursuant to transparency requirements under Texas law.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Lubbock County Sheriff's Office
811 Main Street
Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 775-1400
Lubbock County Sheriff's Office

Judicial Records Access: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Lubbock County District Clerk's Office.

Lubbock County District Clerk
904 Broadway, Suite 207
Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 775-1124
Online Access to Court Records

Written Requests: Public Information Act requests may be submitted in writing to the appropriate records custodian. Such requests must reasonably identify the records sought and comply with procedural requirements established under Texas Government Code § 552.221.

Contents of a Lubbock Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Lubbock County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, age, gender, race/ethnicity, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying characteristics
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; statutory authority for arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Agency Information: Identification of the arresting agency, booking facility, and case/incident number
Criminal Charges: Specific offense(s) charged, including citation to applicable statutes; classification of offense (misdemeanor/felony)
Booking Photographs: Standardized mugshot images taken during the booking process
Custody Status: Information regarding bail/bond amounts, conditions of release, and current detention status
Court Information: Initial appearance date, assigned court, and case number when applicable

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided under Texas Government Code § 552.108, including information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or endanger an individual's safety.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Lubbock County is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The following statutes and regulations establish the parameters for public access:

Texas Public Information Act: Codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, this statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005: This provision mandates the maintenance of a computerized central database containing information on persons required to register as sex offenders, portions of which are publicly accessible.
Federal Regulations: The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy, established by the FBI, imposes restrictions on the dissemination of certain criminal history information obtained through federal databases.

Law enforcement agencies in Lubbock County must comply with these legal requirements when processing requests for arrest records. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, agencies must promptly produce public information for inspection or duplication, or provide a written statement of when the information will be available if not immediately accessible.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Lubbock, Texas, certain statutory exceptions and judicial orders may restrict access to specific information. The following limitations apply to arrest record accessibility:

Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile Records: Information pertaining to juvenile offenders is subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code § 58.007, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and educational purposes.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to an active investigation may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108 if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, may be redacted from public records pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.130 and § 552.136.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to an order under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access and treated as though the arrest never occurred.

Governmental entities in Lubbock County are required to apply these exceptions consistently and in accordance with Attorney General opinions interpreting the Texas Public Information Act.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lubbock

Under Texas law, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Lubbock County. Expungement is a legal process governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that removes arrest records from public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Lubbock County include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Charges that were dismissed or quashed
Acquittals following trial
Pardons based on actual innocence
Completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
Arrests for certain misdemeanors committed by minors

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the district court in Lubbock County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and the basis for expungement eligibility.

Lubbock County District Court
904 Broadway
Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 775-1123
Lubbock County Government

Upon granting an expunction order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest must destroy or return those records to the court. Following expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Lubbock

Governmental entities in Lubbock County may assess reasonable fees for providing copies of arrest records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261. The fee structure for obtaining arrest records is as follows:

Standard Copy Fees: $0.10 per page for standard paper copies
Certified Copies: $5.00 per document for certified copies of arrest records
Electronic Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD containing electronic copies of records
Background Check Reports: $15.00 for a comprehensive criminal history check

Additional charges may apply for labor costs when requests require programming or manipulation of data, or when records exceed 50 pages. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.267, a governmental body may waive or reduce fees if doing so is in the public interest.

Payment methods accepted by Lubbock County agencies include cash, money orders, and credit cards for in-person requests. Online record requests typically require payment by credit card through secure payment portals.