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Rockdale Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Rockdale, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Rockdale, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest documentation, shall be made available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with the right to access public records maintained by state and local agencies, including the Rockdale Police Department.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Rockdale in accordance with established procedures. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining governmental accountability and providing citizens with information regarding law enforcement activities within their community.

How to Look Up Rockdale Arrest Records in 2025

The Rockdale Police Department maintains arrest records and provides multiple methods for public access. Individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize the following official channels:

In-person requests at the Rockdale Police Department located at 312 E Cameron Avenue, Rockdale, TX 76567. The department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency services, with administrative services available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Written requests submitted to the Open Records Division of the Rockdale Police Department. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information.
Telephone inquiries may be directed to the Records Division at 512-446-3436. Staff members can provide guidance on the proper procedures for obtaining arrest records.
Electronic requests through the official City of Rockdale website. The Open Records Request form may be completed and submitted online.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, reasonable fees may be charged for copies of arrest records. The fee schedule is established in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.

Contents of a Rockdale Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Rockdale Police Department typically contain the following information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17:

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 charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint information
Case number and incident report references
Arresting officer information
Booking details including property inventory
Initial court appearance information
Bond amount and status

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.108, which provides exemptions for information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or endanger individuals.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Rockdale

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process in Rockdale follows state guidelines and requires filing a petition with the district court in Milam County.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Rockdale include:

The arrest did not result in a final conviction
The case was dismissed and the statute of limitations has expired
The individual was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
The individual was pardoned for the offense
The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program resulting in dismissal
The arrest was made due to identity theft or false identification

The petition for expungement must be filed with the Milam County District Court, located at 102 S. Fannin Avenue, Cameron, TX 76520. The petition must comply with the requirements set forth in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine if the petitioner meets the statutory requirements for expungement. If granted, the court will issue an order of expunction directing all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to destroy or return all records and files related to the expunged arrest.

The Rockdale Municipal Court, located at 505 W. Cameron Avenue, Rockdale, TX 76567, can provide information regarding the expungement process for cases handled within their jurisdiction. The court may be contacted at 512-446-0812 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Juvenile Arrest Records in Rockdale

Juvenile arrest records in Rockdale are subject to special confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code Chapter 58. These records are not generally available to the public and are maintained separately from adult criminal records.

Access to juvenile records is restricted to:

The juvenile and their parent or guardian
Attorneys representing the juvenile
Criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes
Other individuals or agencies as specifically authorized by statute

Juvenile records may be sealed under provisions of Texas Family Code § 58.003 if the individual meets statutory requirements. The sealing process requires filing an application with the juvenile court that handled the case. Upon sealing, the records are removed from public access and the individual may legally deny the existence of the juvenile record except in certain circumstances specified by law.

The Milam County Juvenile Probation Department, located at 102 S. Fannin Avenue, Cameron, TX 76520, oversees juvenile cases in Rockdale and can provide information regarding juvenile records. The department may be contacted at 254-697-7013 during regular business hours.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Rockdale, certain statutory restrictions limit access to specific information. The Texas Public Information Act provides exemptions for information that:

Would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
Relates to ongoing criminal investigations
Contains identifying information about victims of certain offenses
Includes information about confidential informants
Contains medical or mental health information protected by HIPAA
Includes social security numbers, driver's license numbers, or other personal identifying information

The Rockdale Police Department is responsible for reviewing requests for arrest records and applying appropriate redactions in accordance with state law. Determinations regarding the release of information may be appealed to the Texas Attorney General's Office within the timeframes established by Texas Government Code § 552.301.