Fort Worth Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fort Worth, Texas?
Arrest records in Fort Worth, 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 or for governmental entities is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Fort Worth Police Department and Tarrant County Sheriff's Office maintain these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
- Promoting transparency in the criminal justice system
- Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Allowing citizens to be informed about public safety matters in their communities
- Supporting the constitutional right to information about governmental proceedings
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exceptions outlined in §§ 552.101 through 552.158, particularly when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy protections established by law.
How to Look Up Fort Worth Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Fort Worth arrest records have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information. The Tarrant County criminal justice system maintains several access points for record retrieval:
In-person requests at the Fort Worth Police Department Records Division 215 W. Felix Street Fort Worth, TX 76115 Phone: (817) 392-4160 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Records Division 100 N. Lamar Street Fort Worth, TX 76196 Phone: (817) 884-1213 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online access through the Tarrant County Criminal Court Records Search portal, which is updated daily with new arrest information
Written requests submitted via mail with required identification documentation and applicable fees
Requestors must provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth if available. In accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 1, § 70.13, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information.
Contents of a Fort Worth Arrest Record
Fort Worth arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed enumeration of charges filed, including citation of applicable Texas Penal Code sections
- Arresting agency identification and badge numbers of arresting officers
- Booking information, including processing location and identification numbers
- Biometric data, including fingerprints collected pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.051
- Demographic information, including:
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Last known address
- Race and gender as recorded by the arresting officer
- Case disposition information, if available
- Bond information, including amount set and whether posted
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains standards for the collection and storage of this information in accordance with Texas Government Code § 411.042, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fort Worth
Under Texas law, certain individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Fort Worth. The legal process for expungement is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which establishes specific eligibility criteria:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed or quashed
- Acquittals by trial or appellate courts
- Pardons granted by the Governor or President
- Certain misdemeanor juvenile offenses
- Victims of identity theft whose identities were falsely used in arrests
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Tarrant County where the arrest occurred:
Tarrant County District Clerk's Office 100 N. Calhoun Street Fort Worth, TX 76196 Phone: (817) 884-1240 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Petitioners must comply with the waiting periods specified in Article 55.01(a)(2), which vary based on the classification of the alleged offense. Upon judicial approval, an Order of Expunction is issued directing all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to delete or return all files and references to the arrest. Following expungement, pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.03, the person may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest and any subsequent proceedings, except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.
An alternative remedy available is an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view but maintains them for law enforcement purposes. This option is available for certain successfully completed deferred adjudication cases and specific misdemeanor convictions after applicable waiting periods.
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