Arrest records are public in Tarrant County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government-held information, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Act promotes transparency and accountability within public services by enabling citizens to obtain records documenting interactions with law enforcement agencies. Members of the public may request these records from the appropriate county offices in accordance with established procedures under § 552.021 of the Texas Government Code.
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document all arrests within county jurisdiction. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 552.108 and § 552.101, the fundamental arrest data remains available for public inspection.
Arrest records can be accessed online in Tarrant County through various governmental platforms. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office maintains a Daily Booked in Reports system that provides current information on recent arrests. Additionally, the county offers an Inmate Search function that allows the public to verify if an individual is currently in custody.
The online accessibility of these records is governed by Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 10, Chapter 205, which establishes standards for electronic access to government records. Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, comprehensive case details may require additional requests through official channels. The District Clerk Court Document Lookup service provides access to court documents related to cases that have proceeded to the judicial system.
To obtain Tarrant County arrest records, members of the public have several methods available as prescribed by the Texas Public Information Act. The following official channels provide access to these records:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Records Division to submit a request for arrest records.
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
200 Taylor Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-3099
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Public Information Act requests may be submitted in writing to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest.
Online Resources: The county maintains several online portals for accessing arrest information:
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the county must promptly produce public information in response to proper requests. Standard fees may apply in accordance with § 552.261 for document reproduction or extensive data compilation.
Tarrant County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. These official documents typically include the following elements:
The comprehensiveness of these records is mandated by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Administrative Code Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 218, which establishes minimum standards for law enforcement record-keeping. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
In Tarrant County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement (legally termed "expunction") completely removes an arrest from a person's criminal record. To qualify for expungement, one of the following conditions must be met:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Tarrant County. This legal procedure typically requires:
Tarrant County District Clerk's Office
100 N. Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-1574
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.02, all agencies must comply with a court-ordered expungement by destroying all records of the arrest. The legal standard for expungement is strictly applied, and petitioners are advised to consult legal counsel regarding eligibility and procedure.