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Lakeway Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lakeway, Texas?

Arrest records are public in Lakeway, 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 available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations, ensuring accountability of public officials, and preserving public trust in the judicial system.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.108, which permits withholding information that could interfere with law enforcement proceedings or endanger individuals. Additionally, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.1175, personal information of certain public officials and employees may be withheld from disclosure.

The Lakeway Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established procedures for public information requests.

How to Look Up Lakeway Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Lakeway provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. These methods have been established to comply with the Texas Public Information Act while maintaining efficient governmental operations. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:

Online Public Records Portal: The City of Lakeway's Open Records Request system allows individuals to submit requests electronically. Requestors must provide specific information about the records sought to facilitate processing.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the Lakeway Police Department Records Division during regular business hours.

Lakeway Police Department - Records Division
1941 Lohmans Crossing Road
Lakeway, TX 78734
512-314-7590
Police Department Records

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays
Mail or Email Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail or email to the designated records custodian, as specified under Open Records Requests procedures.
Travis County Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Travis County Clerk's Office.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the city must promptly produce public information in response to an application. "Promptly" means as soon as possible under the circumstances, within a reasonable time, without delay.

Contents of a Lakeway Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Lakeway Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Texas law and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency case number; and circumstances leading to the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including citation to the Texas Penal Code or applicable municipal ordinances
Processing Information: Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and personal property inventory
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, release conditions, or detention status
Procedural Documentation: Miranda warning acknowledgment, medical screening information, and other processing forms

The Lakeway Municipal Court maintains records of subsequent court proceedings for cases within its jurisdiction. For felony cases and certain misdemeanors, records may be transferred to Travis County courts.

It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 62.005, if the arrested individual is subject to sex offender registration requirements, this information will be noted in the record and cross-referenced with the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Lakeway is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. This framework consists of multiple layers of statutory authority and judicial precedent.

The Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, establishes the fundamental right of access to governmental records. Under § 552.021, public information is available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body. The City of Lakeway government adheres to these requirements through established procedures.

Exceptions to disclosure are narrowly defined and include:

Information related to ongoing criminal investigations (§ 552.108)
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (§ 552.101)
Information protected by other laws, including federal statutes

The Texas Criminal Code of Procedure further regulates the dissemination of criminal history record information. Article 60.06 establishes that criminal history record information maintained by local criminal justice agencies is subject to the TPIA.

Court decisions, including Houston Chronicle Publishing Co. v. City of Houston (1976) and Texas Department of Public Safety v. Cox Texas Newspapers (2008), have further shaped the legal landscape regarding public access to law enforcement records.

The Lakeway Police Department Administration is responsible for ensuring compliance with these legal requirements when processing requests for arrest records.

Fees and Processing Times for Record Requests

The City of Lakeway assesses fees for arrest record requests in accordance with schedules established by the Texas Administrative Code (Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70). These fees are designed to recover the reasonable costs associated with document production while maintaining public accessibility to government information.

Standard fees for common record requests include:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter-sized documents
Labor charges: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than one hour of staff time
Overhead charges: 20% of labor costs for requests requiring significant processing
Electronic records: Actual cost of production media (USB drive, CD, etc.)

Processing times vary based on several factors:

Volume and complexity of the requested records
Need for legal review to determine exceptions to disclosure
Current workload of records personnel
Whether redactions are required to protect confidential information

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the city must produce requested information "promptly," which means as soon as possible under the circumstances. For requests that cannot be fulfilled within ten business days, the records custodian will provide written notification of the anticipated completion date.

Payment must be received before records are released. The Lakeway Municipal Court and Police Department accept various payment methods, including credit cards, checks, and money orders.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lakeway

The expungement process in Lakeway allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific statutory conditions. This legal remedy is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may qualify for expungement (referred to as "expunction" in Texas law) under the following circumstances:

An arrest that did not lead to a formal charge
A charge that was dismissed or quashed
An acquittal by trial or appellate court
A pardon by the Governor or President
Completion of certain pretrial diversion programs
Arrests resulting from identity theft or mistaken identity

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the district court of the county where the arrest occurred. The petition must include specific information as outlined in Article 55.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, including:

Personal identifying information
Details of the arrest and alleged offense
The law enforcement agency that made the arrest
The case number and court of jurisdiction
A statement that the petitioner is eligible for expunction

Upon receipt of an expungement order, the Lakeway Police Department and other agencies must remove all records and files subject to the order. These agencies are then prohibited from releasing, maintaining, or using the expunged records for any purpose.

For juvenile records, the Lakeway Teen Court Program provides information about special provisions that may apply under the Texas Family Code.

Juvenile Arrest Records and Confidentiality

Juvenile arrest records in Lakeway are subject to enhanced confidentiality protections under Texas law. The Texas Family Code Chapter 58 establishes specific provisions governing the creation, maintenance, and disclosure of records pertaining to juvenile justice proceedings.

Pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007, records and files concerning a child, including those held by law enforcement, are not open to public inspection except in limited circumstances. These protections reflect the rehabilitative focus of the juvenile justice system and the state's interest in protecting minors from the stigma associated with criminal records.

Key provisions regarding juvenile records include:

Law enforcement records relating to juvenile investigations are generally confidential
Access is restricted to criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes
Parents or guardians may access records pertaining to their child
Schools may receive certain information for educational purposes
Records may be sealed automatically or by court order under specific conditions

The Lakeway Municipal Court handles certain juvenile cases, particularly those involving traffic violations and other Class C misdemeanors. For more serious offenses, juveniles are processed through the Travis County Juvenile Justice system.

Parents and legal guardians seeking information about juvenile records should be aware that different procedures apply than those for adult records. Specific inquiries should be directed to the Juvenile Records Division of the appropriate agency.