> >Bay Arrest Records

Bay Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bay, Texas?

Arrest records in Bay, Texas are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of Texas residents to access government records, including documentation of arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The TPIA operates under the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions designed to protect privacy, security, and other compelling interests.

The Texas Public Information Act serves multiple public interests by:

Ensuring transparency in governmental operations
Facilitating public oversight of law enforcement activities
Providing citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Residents seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are legally accessible, specific procedures must be followed to obtain them from the appropriate agencies.

How to Look Up Bay Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Bay, Texas may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Horseshoe Bay Police Department maintains custody of local arrest records and provides access in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.021, which states that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body.

Individuals may access Bay arrest records through the following methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Horseshoe Bay Police Department to submit a public information request form during regular business hours. Identification may be required, and applicable fees will be assessed in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70.

Horseshoe Bay Police Department
1 Community Drive
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
(830) 598-2633
Official Police Department Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

County Court Records: The Llano County District Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. These records may be accessed by submitting a request to the clerk's office.

Llano County District Clerk's Office
801 Ford Street, Room 202
Llano, TX 78643
(325) 247-5425
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Online Access: The Horseshoe Bay Municipal Court provides limited online access to case information through their official portal. Users should note that comprehensive arrest records may require additional requests.

Horseshoe Bay Municipal Court
1 Community Drive
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
(830) 598-9973
Official Municipal Court Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Written Requests: Public information requests may be submitted in writing to the records custodian at the Horseshoe Bay Police Department. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the department must promptly produce public information in response to an application.

Contents of a Bay Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Bay law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and ethnicity
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, hair color, eye color, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including citation of applicable Texas Penal Code sections
Arresting agency information and identification of arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and mugshot photographs
Case disposition information if available
Bail or bond information
Warrant information if applicable

The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains standards for arrest record documentation through the Texas Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) in accordance with Texas Government Code § 411.042. All law enforcement agencies in Bay must adhere to these standards when creating and maintaining arrest records.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, Texas law establishes certain restrictions on access to protect privacy rights and ongoing investigations. The following limitations apply to arrest record access in Bay:

Records pertaining to juveniles (under 17 years of age) are subject to confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code Chapter 58
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108
Records containing information about victims of sexual assault or family violence have restricted access pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.138
Information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or deprive a person of the right to a fair trial may be withheld
Records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court are not available to the public

Government agencies must cite specific statutory exceptions when denying access to arrest records. Requestors have the right to appeal denials through procedures established in Texas Government Code § 552.301.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bay

Texas law provides mechanisms for the expungement (complete removal) or non-disclosure (sealing) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The legal authority for expungement is found in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures.

Individuals may qualify for expungement of Bay arrest records under the following circumstances:

The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
The person was acquitted of charges (found "not guilty")
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The person completed a pre-trial diversion program resulting in dismissal of charges

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred. Petitioners must provide detailed information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings as specified in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02.

For arrests that do not qualify for expungement, individuals may seek an Order of Non-Disclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes. Eligibility for non-disclosure typically requires:

Successful completion of deferred adjudication community supervision
A waiting period following discharge (varies by offense type)
No subsequent convictions for certain categories of offenses

Legal representation is advisable when pursuing expungement or non-disclosure due to the complex procedural requirements and potential consequences of errors in the application process.

Using Bay Arrest Records Responsibly

Public access to arrest records carries ethical and legal responsibilities. The following guidelines should be observed when accessing and utilizing arrest information:

Arrest records document allegations, not proven facts; individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Texas law prohibits discrimination in employment based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction (Texas Labor Code § 21.051)
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) restricts the use of arrest records older than seven years for certain purposes
Republication of arrest information may have privacy implications and potential liability concerns
Arrest records should be verified for accuracy and currency before being relied upon for any significant decision

Government agencies and private entities that maintain databases of arrest records must ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws regarding data security, accuracy, and appropriate use.