Dalworthington Gardens Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dalworthington Gardens, Texas?
Arrest records in Dalworthington Gardens, Texas are considered public information and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), which establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental entities shall be available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Act promotes government transparency and upholds citizens' right to information about governmental activities, including law enforcement actions.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. Arrest records maintained by the Dalworthington Gardens Department of Public Safety fall under this provision, allowing citizens to request and review these documents. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exceptions outlined in §§ 552.101-552.158, particularly when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy rights protected by state or federal law.
The Texas Attorney General has consistently upheld that basic arrest information, including the arrested individual's name, age, address, and the charges filed, constitutes public information that must be disclosed upon proper request. This position reinforces the state's commitment to governmental accountability and public oversight of law enforcement activities within municipalities such as Dalworthington Gardens.
How to Look Up Dalworthington Gardens Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Dalworthington Gardens as of 2025, each offering different advantages depending on the requester's specific needs. The following options are available to members of the public seeking access to these records:
• In-person requests may be submitted at the Dalworthington Gardens Department of Public Safety, located at 2600 Roosevelt Drive, Dalworthington Gardens, TX 76016. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requesters should be prepared to complete a Public Information Request form and provide identification.
• Written requests can be submitted via mail to the Records Division at the above address. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.301, the department must promptly produce public information in response to written requests, typically within 10 business days.
• Electronic requests may be submitted through the city's official website. The online portal allows users to specify the type of record sought, provide relevant details such as date of arrest or name of the individual, and submit payment for any applicable fees.
• The Tarrant County Criminal Court maintains records of arrests that resulted in criminal proceedings. These records can be accessed at the Tarrant County Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196, or through their online case information system.
• Third-party aggregator services compile public records from multiple sources. While these services may offer convenience, the information provided may not be as current or comprehensive as records obtained directly from official sources.
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.261, which permits governmental bodies to charge reasonable costs for providing copies of public information. Current fee schedules are available at the Department of Public Safety and on the city's official website.
Contents of a Dalworthington Gardens Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Dalworthington Gardens Department of Public Safety contain standardized information as required by Texas law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following components:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at the time of arrest.
• Arrest details, including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the specific statutory violations alleged, and the circumstances leading to the arrest as documented by the arresting officer.
• Booking information, such as the arrestee's fingerprints, photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot"), and any identifying marks or characteristics noted during processing.
• Case disposition information, including whether the individual was released on personal recognizance, bail amount if applicable, and initial court appearance details.
• Arresting agency information, including the name and badge number of the primary arresting officer and any assisting officers.
• Property inventory listing items in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest and the disposition of those items.
• Medical screening information, limited to observations relevant to immediate custody concerns rather than comprehensive health records.
• Criminal history information that is publicly available under Texas law, which may include prior arrests within the jurisdiction.
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, in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 62.005, if the arrested individual is a registered sex offender, the record will contain notation of this status.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dalworthington Gardens
The expungement process in Dalworthington Gardens follows Texas state law provisions that allow for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs the expungement of criminal records, providing a legal pathway for eligible individuals to clear their records.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Dalworthington Gardens include:
• Cases resulting in acquittal (finding of not guilty) • Cases dismissed by the prosecutor or court without resulting in a final conviction • Arrests that did not lead to formal charges • Arrests for which charges were dismissed due to completion of a pretrial diversion program • Arrests of individuals who received a pardon or other similar executive clemency
The legal process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Tarrant County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 55.02, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing, typically within 30 days.
If the court grants the expunction order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest—including the Dalworthington Gardens Department of Public Safety, the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and any other agencies that received information about the arrest—are directed to either return all records to the court for destruction or obliterate all references to the arrest in their files.
Following successful expungement, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 55.03 provides that the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding. This provision effectively restores the individual's record to its status prior to the arrest.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The filing fee for an expunction petition in Tarrant County is approximately $300, with additional costs potentially applying depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
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