Arrest records are public in Hewitt, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental bodies is available to the public, with specific statutory exceptions. The Act affirms the public's right to access government records, including arrest documentation maintained by law enforcement agencies operating within Hewitt's jurisdiction. Members of the public may request these records unless they fall under protected categories as defined in Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.158, which include certain privacy protections, ongoing investigation materials, and juvenile records.
The McLennan County Sheriff's Office and the Hewitt Police Department maintain these records as part of their official duties. While most arrest information is accessible, certain details may be redacted in accordance with state privacy laws, particularly when the information involves minors, sexual assault victims, or when disclosure might compromise an active investigation as outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Hewitt, Texas. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following resources:
Submit a formal public information request to the Hewitt Police Department located at 100 Patriot Court, Hewitt, TX 76643. Requests may be submitted in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM), by telephone at (254) 666-6272, or through their official records division.
Contact the McLennan County Sheriff's Office at 901 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701. Their Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (254) 757-5095 for arrest record inquiries.
Visit the McLennan County District Clerk's Office at 501 Washington Avenue, Room 300, Waco, TX 76701, where formal charges following arrests are documented. The office maintains public access terminals for searching case information during operating hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Utilize the public access computers available at the Hewitt Public Library located at 200 Patriot Court, Hewitt, TX 76643. The library provides access to certain public records databases during their operating hours.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth if available. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may apply for record searches and document reproduction, with current rates established by the Texas Administrative Code.
Standard arrest records maintained by Hewitt law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event. These records typically include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including the Texas Penal Code sections allegedly violated
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and their affiliated agency
Booking information, including the assigned booking number and facility where the individual was processed
Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process from multiple angles
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Preliminary bail or bond information if established at the time of booking
Brief narrative of the circumstances leading to the arrest
Property inventory listing items in the arrestee's possession at the time of booking
These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form the foundation of the criminal justice process. The information contained within arrest records is subject to the disclosure provisions outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.108, which may limit access to certain details if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Texas law provides mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may petition for expungement in Hewitt if their situation meets statutory requirements. Eligible scenarios include:
Arrests that did not result in formal charges being filed
Cases where charges were dismissed or quashed due to lack of probable cause, mistake, or similar reasons
Situations where the individual completed a pre-trial diversion program resulting in case dismissal
Cases resulting in acquittal at trial or reversal on appeal with subsequent dismissal
Arrests for certain misdemeanors where the individual received and successfully completed deferred adjudication
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in McLennan County. Petitioners must submit their request to the McLennan County District Clerk's Office at 501 Washington Avenue, Room 300, Waco, TX 76701. The petition must adhere to the requirements specified in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, including accurate case information and proper notification to all agencies holding records related to the arrest.
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing to determine eligibility. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to destroy or return all documentation to the court. Following successful expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding as specified in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.03.
The filing fee for an expungement petition in McLennan County is approximately $300, though this amount may vary based on case complexity and the number of agencies involved. Individuals with limited financial resources may apply for a fee waiver by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 145.