Yes, arrest records are public in Potter County, Texas. Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, most records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, are available to the public. This legislation, codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, ensures transparency and accountability in government operations by granting public access to information, except in cases where the record is deemed confidential by law. The Act establishes that the public has a right to access government records unless specific statutory exceptions apply. Law enforcement agencies in Potter County maintain these records as part of their official duties and make them available through established procedures.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted to protect privacy rights, ongoing investigations, or other legally protected interests. Juvenile records, for example, are generally subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under Texas Family Code § 58.007.
Potter County Sheriff's Office
608 S. Pierce Street
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2900
Potter County Sheriff's Office
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Potter County through various official digital platforms. The Potter County Clerk's Office maintains certain public records that may be accessed electronically. Additionally, the Potter County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to current inmate information and recent arrest data through their official website.
The Texas Department of Public Safety also maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes Potter County arrests. Access to this database requires proper authorization and may involve fees as prescribed by Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27.
Online access to arrest records is governed by the same legal provisions that apply to physical records, including privacy protections and statutory exemptions. Users of online systems should note that not all arrest record information may be available electronically, and some searches may require additional steps or in-person requests to obtain complete information.
Digital access to these records is provided as a public service to enhance transparency while balancing privacy concerns in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.021, which establishes the presumption of openness for government records.
To obtain Potter County arrest records in 2025, individuals may utilize several methods established by county authorities. The Potter County District Clerk's Office serves as the official custodian of court records related to criminal cases. Here are the authorized options for searching arrest records in Potter County:
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate searches, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload.
Potter County District Clerk
500 S. Fillmore, Room 303
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2300
Potter County District Clerk
Potter County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17. These official documents serve as the legal record of an individual's arrest and typically include the following elements:
These records are maintained in accordance with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission retention schedules. The completeness of information may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and the specific circumstances of the arrest.
In Potter County, individuals who meet specific statutory criteria may petition for expungement of arrest records pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Expungement (also called expunction) is the legal process of removing an arrest record from public access, effectively treating the arrest as if it never occurred.
Eligibility for expungement in Potter County is determined by several factors established in state law:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Potter County District Court that handled the original case. The petition must comply with the requirements set forth in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, including proper notice to all agencies that may possess records related to the arrest.
Upon granting an expungement order, the court directs all relevant agencies to delete or return all records and files related to the arrest. These agencies include the Potter County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and any other entity that may maintain such records.
Individuals who do not qualify for expungement may be eligible for an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes.
Potter County Courthouse
500 S. Fillmore Street
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2200
Potter County Official Website