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Haltom Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Haltom, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Haltom City, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental entities is public unless expressly exempted by law. The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations and maintaining public oversight of governmental activities.

The Texas Public Information Act specifically designates basic information about arrests as core public data that must be released, even when other aspects of an investigation might be confidential. Under § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code, basic arrest information cannot be withheld from public disclosure, regardless of whether an investigation is ongoing or closed.

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Haltom City may access this information through the Haltom City Police Department, which maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules. The department's Records Unit processes requests for arrest information pursuant to established protocols under Texas law.

How to Look Up Haltom Arrest Records in 2025

The Haltom City Police Department maintains arrest records and provides several methods for public access to this information. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:

Submit a records request through the Police Records Request portal on the official Haltom City website
Visit the Haltom City Police Department in person to submit a records request
Mail a written request for records to the department's Records Unit
Access Online Police Reports for certain types of incidents and arrests
Check the Municipal Court records for information about citations and court appearances related to arrests

The Haltom City Police Department's Records Unit, consisting of three civilian records clerks and one police officer, processes all requests in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. Response times vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload.

Haltom City Police Department
5110 Broadway Avenue
Haltom City, TX 76117
Phone: (817) 222-7000
Official Website

Haltom City Municipal Court
5024 Broadway Avenue
Haltom City, TX 76117
Phone: (817) 222-7700
Official Website

Contents of a Haltom Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Haltom City Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to Texas law and departmental policies, these records generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Home address (may be redacted in certain public versions)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Detailed description of the alleged offense(s)
Statutory citation of violated laws under the Haltom City Code of Ordinances or Texas state law
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records and other biometric data
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions
Case number and tracking information
Initial court appearance details

The level of detail available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under the Texas Public Information Act. Certain sensitive information, such as the identities of juvenile offenders, sexual assault victims, or information that could compromise an ongoing investigation, may be redacted in accordance with § 552.101-152 of the Texas Government Code.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Haltom City

The management and disclosure of arrest records in Haltom City operates within a structured legal framework established by state and local regulations. The primary legal authorities governing these records include:

The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with specific exceptions enumerated in the statute. Under § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body.

The Haltom City Code of Ordinances contains provisions related to municipal offenses and the jurisdiction of the Haltom City Municipal Court. Section 9.06 of the City Charter specifically addresses the court's jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances.

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005 requires certain information about registered sex offenders to be publicly accessible, which may include arrest information related to qualifying offenses.

The Texas Local Government Records Act (Texas Local Government Code Chapters 201-205) establishes retention schedules for arrest records and other law enforcement documentation.

Federal regulations, including the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, may impact the disclosure of certain arrest information when federal agencies are involved in investigations.

Restrictions on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Haltom City are generally public, certain statutory exceptions and judicial orders may limit access to specific information. The following restrictions may apply to arrest record requests:

Records pertaining to juveniles (under 17 years of age) are subject to confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code Chapter 58
Information related to victims of sexual offenses may be redacted pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.138
Details that would interfere with active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108
Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection
Information about confidential informants is protected from disclosure
Medical and mental health information contained in arrest records is subject to privacy protections
Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information may be redacted from public versions of records

Requestors seeking arrest records should be aware that the Haltom City Police Department is required by law to apply these exceptions when processing information requests. The department's Records Unit reviews each request to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws while maintaining the public's right to access government information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Haltom

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Haltom City under specific circumstances. The expungement process is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides legal mechanisms to remove arrest records from public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Haltom City 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 successfully completed certain pretrial diversion programs
The arrest was due to identity theft or false identification

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the district court of Tarrant County. If granted, an expungement order 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 in most circumstances.

For arrests resulting in convictions, individuals may alternatively seek an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view but maintains them for law enforcement purposes. The Haltom City Municipal Court provides information about deferred disposition programs that may lead to eligibility for nondisclosure orders.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records maintained by the Haltom City Police Department may be utilized for background check purposes, subject to specific regulations and limitations. The following guidelines apply to the use of Haltom City arrest records for background screening:

Employers must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act when using arrest records for employment decisions
Texas Occupations Code § 53.021 restricts the use of arrest records (without convictions) as the sole basis for denying occupational licenses
Housing providers must adhere to Fair Housing Act guidelines when considering arrest records
Educational institutions have specific protocols for evaluating arrest records in admissions decisions
Volunteer organizations working with vulnerable populations may have enhanced access to certain arrest information

Individuals conducting background checks should note that arrest records without subsequent convictions have limited evidentiary value and may not accurately reflect a person's criminal history. The Haltom City Code Enforcement Department maintains separate records for code violations, which should not be confused with criminal arrests.