Palacios Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Palacios, Texas?
Arrest records are public documents in Palacios, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained under law or ordinance by or for a governmental body is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Act specifically designates arrest records as public information accessible to citizens seeking to review them.
The Texas Public Information Act operates under the principle that the public has a right to information concerning government affairs and the official acts of public officials and employees. In accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Palacios fall within this category of accessible information.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy rights or ongoing investigations as permitted under Texas Government Code § 552.108. Additionally, juvenile records are subject to different regulations under the Texas Family Code and may have restricted access.
How to Look Up Palacios Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Palacios, Texas. The following methods are available for individuals seeking this information:
- Palacios Police Department: Citizens may submit requests for arrest records in person at the department headquarters. The department maintains records of arrests within city limits.
Palacios Police Department
405 Main Street
Palacios, TX 77465
(361) 972-3112
- Matagorda County Sheriff's Office: This agency maintains arrest records for the entire county, including Palacios. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated online portals.
Matagorda County Sheriff's Office
2308 Avenue F
Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 245-5526
- Matagorda County Clerk's Office: The County Clerk maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. These records may be accessed during regular business hours.
Matagorda County Clerk
1700 7th Street, Room 202
Bay City, Texas 77414
(979) 244-7680
- Texas Department of Public Safety: The DPS maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes arrest records. Certified records may be requested through their Criminal History Record Information system.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2000
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public information. Requestors should anticipate potential fees for document retrieval, copying, and certification when seeking arrest records.
Contents of a Palacios Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Palacios, Texas, typically contain comprehensive information regarding both the arrested individual and the circumstances of the arrest. Standard components of these records include:
- 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, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory violations and formal charges filed
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking information including processing date and facility
- Case or incident number for administrative tracking
- Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
- Disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
- Bail or bond information when applicable
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.21 requires law enforcement agencies to maintain complete records of arrests. These records serve multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including identification of individuals with outstanding warrants, verification of criminal history during subsequent investigations, and documentation for court proceedings.
Requestors should be aware that certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.130, § 552.1325, and § 552.147, which protect personal identifying information such as driver's license numbers, social security numbers, and certain medical information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Palacios
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Palacios and throughout the state. Expungement is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01, individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:
- The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
- Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed or quashed
- The person was acquitted of the charges at trial (found "not guilty")
- The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned or otherwise granted relief based on actual innocence
- The person successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program, where expungement was a condition of the program
- The statute of limitations for the offense has expired and no charges were filed
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Matagorda County. This legal proceeding requires proper notice to all agencies possessing records related to the arrest. Upon granting an expunction order, the court directs all relevant agencies to destroy or return all records and files related to the arrest.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Matagorda County District Attorney's Office can provide information regarding the expungement process, though they cannot provide legal advice to petitioners.
Matagorda County District Court
1700 7th Street
Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 244-7660
An alternative to expungement is an order of nondisclosure, which seals records rather than destroying them. This option is available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication or certain types of probation. Orders of nondisclosure are governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 411.
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