Arrest records in Pinehurst, Texas are classified as public information pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental bodies shall be available to the public, with specific statutory exceptions. The Act ensures transparency in governmental operations by allowing citizens to access arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies serving Pinehurst.
Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision guarantees that residents and interested parties may inspect or obtain copies of arrest records, thereby promoting accountability within the criminal justice system. The accessibility of these records serves multiple public interests, including community awareness and safety.
Governmental bodies in Pinehurst must comply with records requests within established timeframes, typically responding within 10 business days as mandated by § 552.221. Exceptions to disclosure exist for certain categories of information, such as ongoing investigations or juvenile records, as specified in § 552.101 through § 552.158.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Pinehurst, Texas. Members of the public seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Pinehurst Police Department located at 2497 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Pinehurst, TX 77630. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written requests may be directed to the Records Division of the Pinehurst Police Department at the aforementioned address. Requestors should include specific information about the record sought, including the name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records and may be contacted at 205 Border Street, Orange, TX 77630. Their Records Division operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the Pinehurst Police Department website, which provides forms and instructions for public information requests.
The Pinehurst Municipal Court maintains records of cases processed through their system and can provide information regarding arrests that resulted in municipal charges.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information. Fee schedules are established in accordance with rules prescribed by the Attorney General's Office and are available upon request.
Arrest records maintained by Pinehurst law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and departmental policies. These records generally include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence.
Arrest details, including date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Criminal charges filed, including the specific statute violated and the classification of the offense (misdemeanor or felony).
Booking information, such as fingerprints, photographs, and unique identification numbers assigned to the individual within the criminal justice system.
Custody status information, including whether the individual was released on personal recognizance, posted bail, or remained in custody.
Court appearance dates and locations, if scheduled at the time of record creation.
Disposition information, if available, indicating the outcome of the case (e.g., pending, dismissed, convicted).
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.21 requires that certain arrest information be documented in an arrest report. Additionally, Article 60.01 establishes requirements for criminal history record information that must be maintained by criminal justice agencies.
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs the expungement process, which is applicable to arrests occurring in Pinehurst.
Pursuant to Article 55.01, an individual may be eligible for expungement if:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the district court in Orange County. The petition must comply with the requirements set forth in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine eligibility.
If expungement is granted, all records and files pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and may be destroyed. Government agencies and private entities that received information concerning the arrest will be ordered to destroy their records and are prohibited from disclosing the existence of the arrest.
For arrests that do not qualify for expungement, individuals may seek an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals the criminal record from public view while allowing access by criminal justice agencies.
Pinehurst Police Department
2497 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Pinehurst, TX 77630
Phone: (409) 886-2221
Official Police Department Website
Pinehurst Municipal Court
2497 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Pinehurst, TX 77630
Phone: (409) 886-3873
Official Municipal Court Website
Orange County Sheriff's Office
205 Border Street
Orange, TX 77630
Phone: (409) 883-2612
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221(a), governmental bodies shall promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both upon request by any person. Requestors should be prepared to provide identification when requesting records in person and may be required to complete a standard form specifying the information sought.
Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with § 552.261 and may vary based on the volume and format of records requested. Payment methods accepted include cash, money order, and in some cases, credit cards for online requests.
The confidentiality of certain information within arrest records is protected by various provisions of Texas law, including § 552.101 (information confidential by law), § 552.108 (law enforcement exceptions), and § 552.147 (social security numbers). Redactions may be applied to protected information prior to release.