Yes, arrest records are public in Terry County, Texas. Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552), all government-collected information, including arrest records, is accessible to the public unless specifically restricted by law. This transparency measure ensures that citizens have the ability to access records pertaining to the functioning and enforcement activities of governmental bodies. The Texas Public Information Act establishes that public records shall be made available to any person requesting them, with certain statutory exceptions designed to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and national security.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Terry County may obtain them through various official channels, including the Terry County Sheriff's Office and the Terry County District Clerk's Office. These offices maintain records in accordance with Texas state law and county regulations.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Terry County. These records are made available through various governmental and authorized non-governmental platforms which compile public records for ease of access. The Terry County Public Records Information portal serves as an official gateway to many county records, including certain arrest information.
The availability of online records is subject to the following conditions:
The Terry County Sheriff's Office maintains booking information that may be accessed through their official channels. Additionally, the Northern District of Texas United States District Court provides access to federal case information that may include arrest records for federal offenses occurring within Terry County.
To obtain Terry County arrest records, several methods can be utilized in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.021, which provides that public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body:
Terry County Sheriff's Office
PO Box 1106
Brownfield, TX 79316
Phone: 806-637-2212
Fax: 806-637-9424
Official Website
Terry County Clerk's Office
Terry County Courthouse
500 W Main St
Brownfield, TX 79316
Official Website
Terry County District Clerk
Terry County Courthouse
500 W Main St
Brownfield, TX 79316
Official Website
Online Public Access Systems: Utilize Terry County's official government website or public records portals that aggregate data from law enforcement databases.
Mail Requests: Send a formal written request via certified mail to the appropriate agency, clearly specifying the information sought and providing identifying information to facilitate the search.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Fee schedules are typically posted at the respective offices and on their websites.
A Terry County arrest record typically includes the following information as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17, which requires complete records of arrests:
The Brownfield Police Department, which contracts with Terry County to house prisoners at the Terry County Law Enforcement Center, maintains arrest records for municipal arrests within city limits.
It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.1175, certain personal information of peace officers, county jailers, security officers, and employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice may be redacted from public records.
In Terry County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access and, when granted, allows the individual to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances.
Eligibility for expungement typically depends on several factors:
The expungement process involves filing a petition with the court that originally handled the case. This petition must be filed in the Terry County District Court for most cases. The petition must include specific information as required by Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, including:
A judge will determine if the expungement can be granted based on statutory criteria. If approved, an order of expungement will be issued directing all agencies holding records of the arrest to destroy or return those records 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 but allows access by law enforcement and certain governmental agencies.
The Justice of the Peace Court in Terry County handles Class C misdemeanor cases and may provide information regarding expungement eligibility for minor offenses.