Southlake Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Southlake, Texas?
Arrest records are public documents in Southlake, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental bodies is presumed to be available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Texas Public Information Act serves as the legal framework ensuring governmental transparency and accountability throughout the state. Members of the public may access arrest records as part of their right to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system. The City of Southlake maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
How to Look Up Southlake Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Southlake, Texas. Individuals may utilize any of the following methods to access these public documents:
- In-Person Requests at Southlake Police Department: Citizens may submit requests directly at the Records Division of the Southlake Department of Public Safety. Staff will assist requestors in completing the appropriate forms and identifying available records.
Southlake Department of Public Safety
600 State Street
Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 748-8114
Southlake DPS Official Website
- Tarrant County Criminal Records Division: As the county repository for criminal records, the Tarrant County Clerk's Office maintains arrest records for all jurisdictions within the county, including Southlake.
Tarrant County Criminal Records Division
401 W. Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-1240
Tarrant County Criminal Records
Online Public Access Portal: The Southlake Police Department provides limited online access to recent arrest information through their public portal. Users may search by name, date range, or case number.
Public Information Act Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act. Requests must be specific enough to identify the desired records and may be subject to redaction of confidential information as permitted by law.
Contents of a Southlake Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Southlake Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual's processing through the criminal justice system. These records typically include:
- Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying characteristics
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting officer's name and badge number; agency case number
- Criminal Charges: Specific offenses charged, including Texas Penal Code citations and charge classification (misdemeanor or felony)
- Booking Information: Booking date and time, booking number, fingerprint classification
- Custody Status: Information regarding bail amount, release date, or transfer to county facilities
- Mugshot Photograph: Standardized booking photograph taken during processing
- Incident Report Summary: Brief narrative of the circumstances leading to arrest (may be redacted in certain cases)
- Court Information: Initial appearance date, assigned court, and preliminary case disposition if available
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 27.01 requires law enforcement agencies to maintain these records with specific elements to ensure proper identification and case tracking throughout the judicial process.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Southlake
The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement in Southlake follows these state provisions, allowing for the removal of arrest records from public access when statutory requirements are met.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Southlake include:
- Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed
- Acquittals following trial
- Pardons or overturned convictions on appeal
- Successful completion of certain deferred adjudication programs
- Arrests for specific misdemeanors committed by minors
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Tarrant County. Petitioners must provide detailed information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon approval, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies, including the Southlake Police Department, to destroy or return all records related to the arrest.
Texas law also provides for non-disclosure orders under Government Code § 411.081 for certain offenses where expungement is not available. Non-disclosure prevents public entities from releasing information about the arrest but does not completely destroy the records.
Tarrant County District Clerk
100 N. Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-1574
Tarrant County District Clerk
Petitioners are required to pay filing fees unless granted a waiver based on indigency. The current filing fee for an expungement petition in Tarrant County is approximately $275, plus additional service fees for each agency holding records.
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