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Lago Vista Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lago Vista, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Lago Vista, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by governmental entities is public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the principle that the public has a right to information concerning governmental affairs and the official acts of public officials and employees.

The Lago Vista Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official duties. These records are generally accessible to members of the public, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other statutorily protected information as outlined in § 552.101 through § 552.158 of the Texas Government Code.

Public access to arrest records serves several governmental purposes:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Ensures accountability of public officials
Facilitates informed civic participation
Provides necessary information for background checks and public safety

Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and statutory exemptions.

How to Look Up Lago Vista Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Lago Vista arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Records Division of the Lago Vista Police Department serves as the primary custodian of these documents.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests in person at:

Lago Vista Police Department
5901 Municipal Complex Way
Lago Vista, Texas 78645
Phone: (512) 267-5010
Official Website

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to the above address. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.301, the department must respond to written requests within 10 business days.

Online Access

The Lago Vista Municipal Court provides limited online access to certain court records related to arrests. These records typically include information about cases that have been filed with the court.

Required Information for Requests

To facilitate efficient processing, requesters should provide:

Full name of the individual in the arrest record
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Case or incident number (if available)
Requester's contact information

Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70 and may include charges for labor, overhead, and materials.

Contents of a Lago Vista Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Lago Vista Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17. The Records Division compiles and maintains these documents in accordance with state record retention schedules.

Standard components of an arrest record include:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Address of residence at time of arrest
Identification numbers (driver's license, state ID)

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory authority for the arrest
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Agency case number or incident report number

Offense Information

Criminal charges filed
Texas Penal Code section(s) allegedly violated
Brief narrative of the alleged offense
Presence of weapons or contraband
Involvement of other individuals

Processing Information

Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Property inventory
Medical screening information
Bail or bond information
Court appearance dates

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.130 and § 552.117.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lago Vista

The expungement of arrest records in Lago Vista is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement (also referred to as "expunction") is a legal process that removes an arrest from an individual's record as if it never occurred.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to Article 55.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

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 completed certain deferred adjudication programs for eligible offenses
The statutory waiting period has elapsed (varies by offense type)

Application Process

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Travis County, which has jurisdiction over Lago Vista. The petition must contain specific information as outlined in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an expungement is granted:

All records and files relating to the arrest are removed from public access
The Lago Vista Municipal Court and Police Department must destroy or return all records related to the arrest
The person may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in statute
Private entities that purchase criminal history information must remove expunged records

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements and court proceedings. The Court Dockets page provides information about scheduled hearings related to expungement petitions.

Alternatives to Expungement

For individuals who do not qualify for expungement, Texas law provides alternative remedies through the Order of Nondisclosure process under Texas Government Code Chapter 411.

An Order of Nondisclosure:

Does not destroy records but seals them from public view
Allows law enforcement and certain government agencies to access the records
Prohibits private entities from disclosing the information
May be available after successful completion of deferred adjudication or certain misdemeanor convictions

The Payment Plan Options page provides information about court costs associated with these proceedings.

Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Records

Texas law establishes several categories of arrest records that are exempt from public disclosure or subject to restricted access. The Lago Vista Police Department and Municipal Court must comply with these statutory exemptions when processing public information requests.

Juvenile Records

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (under age 17) are governed by Title 3 of the Texas Family Code and are generally not available to the public. Limited exceptions exist for certain serious offenses as specified in § 58.007 of the Family Code.

Ongoing Investigations

Pursuant to § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code, information related to the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime may be withheld if release would interfere with law enforcement proceedings.

Sealed Records

Records that have been sealed by court order through an Order of Nondisclosure or similar judicial action are not available to the general public. The Common Citation Fines and Fees page provides information about costs associated with sealing eligible records.

Confidential Information

Certain personal information contained within arrest records may be redacted before release, including:

Social security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information
Information related to victims of certain offenses
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy