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Dumas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dumas, Texas?

Arrest records are public information in Dumas, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that records maintained by governmental bodies, including local law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the principle that the public has a right to information concerning governmental affairs and official acts of public officials and employees. Arrest records fall within this category of public information, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and statutory exemptions. Such exemptions may include information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or data protected by other state or federal laws.

How to Look Up Dumas Arrest Records in 2025

The Texas Public Information Act provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records in Dumas. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods to obtain these public records:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Dumas Police Department located at 124 E 7th Street, Dumas, TX 79029. The department's public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Requestors should be prepared to complete a public information request form and may be required to present identification.
Online Record Requests: The Dumas Police Department Records Division offers an online portal for submitting public information requests. This service allows individuals to request arrest records electronically in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which permits governmental bodies to establish reasonable procedures for accessing public information.
Moore County Sheriff's Office: Additional arrest records may be available through the Moore County Sheriff's Office, which maintains records for arrests made within county jurisdiction outside Dumas city limits.
Public Access Terminals: Designated terminals are available at the Dumas Public Library for accessing certain public records, including arrest information that has been made available in electronic format.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information in response to proper requests. The standard timeframe for response is within ten business days, though complex requests may require additional time.

Contents of a Dumas Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Dumas Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in Moore County typically contain the following information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including applicable Texas Penal Code sections
Name and identification of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including booking number and processing details
Demographic information of the arrested individual, including:
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
Photographic image (mugshot) taken during booking
Fingerprint records collected during processing
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions
Court case number and assigned court, if applicable
Custody status information

It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain information may be withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime. Additionally, information related to victims or witnesses may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections under Texas law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dumas

The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement (legally referred to as "expunction" in Texas) allows for the removal of arrest records from public access when certain statutory requirements are met.

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

An arrest that did not lead to a formal charge
Charges that were dismissed or quashed
Acquittal by trial or appellate court
Pardon by the Governor or conviction set aside on habeas corpus
Completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
Arrest due to identity theft or false identification

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Moore County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon review, the court may schedule a hearing to determine eligibility.

If granted, an Order of Expunction directs all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to return all records to the court or destroy them. Following expungement, the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.

For arrests that do not qualify for expungement, individuals may seek an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes.

Legal Restrictions on Accessing Arrest Records

While arrest records in Dumas are generally public, Texas law establishes several important restrictions on access to protect privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system. The following limitations apply to arrest record access:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007, records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 17) are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and are not publicly accessible through standard channels.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged or sealed by court order are not available for public inspection. Accessing such records may constitute a violation of Texas Government Code § 411.084.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108 if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Victim Information: Personal identifying information of crime victims, particularly in cases involving sexual assault, family violence, or stalking, is protected under Texas Government Code § 552.1325.
Commercial Use Restrictions: Texas Government Code § 552.275 permits governmental bodies to establish reasonable limits on the time spent producing information for commercial purposes.

Law enforcement agencies in Dumas are required to balance public access rights with these statutory protections when responding to requests for arrest records.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Dumas

The Dumas Police Department assesses fees for providing copies of arrest records in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes governmental bodies to charge for the cost of providing public information. The current fee schedule for arrest record requests in Dumas is as follows:

Standard arrest record report: $10.00 per report
Certified copies: Additional $5.00 per document
Accident reports: $6.00 per report
Background checks: $15.00 per name search
Photographs/digital media: $10.00 per CD/DVD
Extensive searches requiring more than one hour of staff time: $15.00 per hour after the first hour

Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the City of Dumas. Credit card payments are accepted for online requests with an additional processing fee of 3%.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.267, a governmental body shall provide a copy of public information without charge or at a reduced charge if the governmental body determines that waiver or reduction of the charge is in the public interest or if the cost of processing the collection will exceed the amount of the charge.

Requestors may contact the Dumas Police Department Records Division at (806) 935-3998 for clarification regarding applicable fees for specific requests.