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Richland Hills Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Richland Hills, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in Richland Hills, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Act ensures transparency in governmental operations by providing citizens with access to records documenting interactions with law enforcement agencies, including arrest records.

The Texas Public Information Act stipulates that governmental bodies must promptly release requested information unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it under specific exceptions outlined in §§ 552.101 through 552.158. In accordance with § 552.221, a governmental body must "promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both" upon request.

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Richland Hills should be aware that while these records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy rights, ongoing investigations, or other legally protected interests as specified in the Texas Public Information Act.

How to Look Up Richland Hills Arrest Records in 2025

The Richland Hills Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city jurisdiction. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021, members of the public may access these records through several official channels:

In-Person Requests at the Police Department: Individuals may submit requests directly to the Richland Hills Police Department located at 3221 Diana Drive, Richland Hills, TX 76118. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Municipal Court Records: The Richland Hills Municipal Court processes citations and maintains records related to arrests within city limits. The court is located at 3200 Diana Drive, Richland Hills, TX 76118. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tarrant County Records: For comprehensive arrest records, the Tarrant County Clerk's Office maintains criminal case records. The office is located at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Phone: (817) 884-1195.
Online Record Request: The City of Richland Hills provides forms for public information requests through the city's official website. Requests must comply with the provisions outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.

When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, including the full name of the arrested individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information.

Contents of a Richland Hills Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Richland Hills Police Department and associated agencies typically contain the following information as prescribed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.102:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Case or incident number
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint records
Detention facility information
Bail or bond amount and conditions, if applicable
Court appearance dates
Disposition of the case, if available

It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain information may be withheld if release would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime. Additionally, in accordance with § 552.1175, personal information of certain officials and employees may be redacted from public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Richland Hills

Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and destroyed from governmental repositories.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Richland Hills include:

The individual was arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were dismissed or quashed due to mistake, false information, or similar reasons
The individual was acquitted of charges by a court (including appellate courts)
The individual was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The individual completed a pretrial diversion program, in certain circumstances
The statute of limitations has expired for the offense for which the person was arrested

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Tarrant County. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon approval, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies holding records to destroy or return them to the court.

Alternatively, 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.

Legal Restrictions on Accessing Arrest Records

The Texas Public Information Act establishes certain exceptions to disclosure that may apply to arrest records in Richland Hills. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, information may be withheld if:

Release would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
The record pertains to an ongoing investigation
The record relates to a prosecutor's work product or strategy
The information deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of terrorism

Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to special confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code § 58.008, which restricts public access to records involving individuals under 17 years of age.

Law enforcement agencies in Richland Hills must comply with the Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) regulations (28 CFR Part 20) when disseminating criminal history information. These regulations establish guidelines for the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information.

Agencies Maintaining Arrest Records in Richland Hills

Multiple governmental agencies maintain and provide access to arrest records in Richland Hills:

Richland Hills Police Department
3221 Diana Drive
Richland Hills, TX 76118
Phone: (817) 616-3780
Official Website

Richland Hills Municipal Court
3200 Diana Drive
Richland Hills, TX 76118
Phone: (817) 616-3830
Official Website

Tarrant County Clerk's Office
100 W. Weatherford Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1195
Official Website

Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
Phone: (512) 424-2000
Official Website

Each agency maintains records according to its statutory responsibilities and may have different procedures for requesting and obtaining arrest record information.