Palo Pinto County, Texas Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Palo Pinto County, Texas?
Arrest records are public documents in Palo Pinto County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Texas Public Information Act mandates that governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies, make arrest records accessible to members of the public upon proper request. This transparency measure serves to maintain accountability in the criminal justice system and provides citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within the county.
The Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Department maintains these records as part of their official duties. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain records may be withheld or redacted in accordance with state law, particularly those involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as defined in § 552.101 through § 552.158 of the Texas Government Code.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Palo Pinto County?
Palo Pinto County provides limited online access to arrest records through official county resources. According to the Palo Pinto County Clerk's Criminal Court division, comprehensive criminal records are not available online through the county's official website. The county clerk's office explicitly states: "Our criminal records are not online. You must have a case number in order for us to provide information." Public access computers are available at the county clerk's office for in-person searches.
The Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Department maintains a jail inmate listing that provides current information about individuals currently in custody. This resource offers basic information about current inmates but does not constitute a comprehensive arrest records database. For complete arrest record information, individuals must contact the appropriate county offices directly or utilize third-party services that compile public records information.
Palo Pinto County Clerk's Office
520 Oak Street
Palo Pinto, TX 76484
(940) 659-1277
Official Website
How to Look Up Palo Pinto County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Palo Pinto County, each with specific procedures and requirements:
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Palo Pinto County Clerk's Office or the District Clerk's Office to request arrest records. Requestors must complete an Open Records Request form and provide sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, including case numbers when available. The county provides public access computers at the clerk's office for conducting searches.
Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to the appropriate county department. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.301, governmental bodies must promptly produce public information in response to written requests. Requests should include the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Sheriff's Department Resources: The Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Department maintains current inmate information and can provide limited arrest record information. For comprehensive records, the department will direct requestors to the appropriate county office.
District Clerk's Office: For arrest records related to felony cases, the District Clerk's Office maintains these records and can process requests.
Palo Pinto County District Clerk
PO Box 189
Palo Pinto, TX 76484
(940) 659-1279
Official Website
Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Department
500 Elm Street
Palo Pinto, TX 76484
(940) 659-2085
Official Website
Contents of a Palo Pinto County Arrest Record
Arrest records in Palo Pinto County typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard information included in these records consists of:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and processing information
- Criminal charges filed, including Texas Penal Code references
- Case disposition information, if available
- Bail or bond information
- Mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
- Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable
The level of detail may vary depending on the nature of the case and the specific agency maintaining the record. Records maintained by the District Court for felony cases may contain additional information regarding court proceedings, while misdemeanor records maintained by the County Clerk may have different formatting and content specifications.
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005, if the arrest involves a registrable sex offense, additional information may be included regarding registration requirements and compliance status.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Palo Pinto County
The expungement process in Palo Pinto County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Individuals may petition for expungement (also called expunction) if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Palo Pinto County include:
- The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
- Charges were filed but later dismissed
- The person was acquitted of charges (found "not guilty")
- The person was convicted but later pardoned
- The person completed certain deferred adjudication programs for eligible offenses
- The arrest was due to identity theft or false identification
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the 29th Judicial District Court in Palo Pinto County. The petition must include specific information as required by Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, including all agencies that may possess records related to the arrest. 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, an Order of Expunction directs all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to destroy or return those records to the court. 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.
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