Arrest records are public information in Uvalde County, 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 Texas Public Information Act operates under the premise that governmental transparency serves the public interest, allowing citizens to access records of law enforcement activities including arrests.
Members of the public may access these records through designated governmental agencies in Uvalde County. The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes, including community awareness, criminal background verification, and governmental accountability. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly when involving minors, victims of certain crimes, or ongoing investigations as specified in Texas Government Code § 552.108.
Arrest records in Uvalde County are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Uvalde County Texas Official Website provides a portal for public information requests, including arrest records. Additionally, the Uvalde Police Department maintains records of arrests within city limits.
Online accessibility of arrest records is subject to the provisions outlined in Texas Government Code § 552.261, which permits governmental bodies to charge reasonable fees for document reproduction and staff time. Digital access to these records may be limited by technological infrastructure and record digitization status. Some records, particularly those predating digital record-keeping systems, may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.
The Texas Department of Public Safety's Crime Records Division also maintains a statewide database that includes arrest information from Uvalde County. This centralized system facilitates broader searches across jurisdictional boundaries within Texas.
Individuals seeking arrest records in Uvalde County have multiple avenues available for record retrieval. The following methods are authorized under Texas Government Code § 552:
Visit the Uvalde County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal records request:
Uvalde County Sheriff's Office
Uvalde County Justice Center
339 King Fisher Lane
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-4111
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a request to the Uvalde County Clerk's Office, which maintains court records related to arrests:
Uvalde County Clerk's Office
Courthouse Square #20
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-6614
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Uvalde Police Department records division for arrests within city jurisdiction:
Uvalde Police Department
100 E. Main Street
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-9147
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Utilize the Texas Department of Public Safety's Crime Records Service for statewide criminal history information:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 424-2000
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Search court records through re:SearchTX, the official electronic court record database for Texas.
Requestors must provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and, if available, date of birth or case number. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, agencies may assess reasonable fees for record retrieval and reproduction.
Arrest records maintained by Uvalde County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard arrest records include the following components as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.17:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the arresting agency's protocols and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Uvalde County Clerk may contain additional court proceedings information if the case has progressed through the judicial system.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, particularly details that could compromise ongoing investigations or endanger individuals involved in the case.
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may petition for expungement (expunction) of arrest records in Uvalde County under specific qualifying circumstances. Expungement permanently removes arrest records from public access and allows individuals to legally deny the occurrence of the arrest.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Uvalde County include:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Uvalde County. Petitioners must submit the following to the Uvalde County District Clerk:
Uvalde County District Clerk
100 N. Getty Street, Room 204
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-3718
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Alternatively, individuals who do not qualify for expungement may seek an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes. This remedy is available for certain non-violent offenses after successful completion of deferred adjudication or probation.
Expungement proceedings typically require legal representation and payment of filing fees, currently set at $255 for civil cases in Uvalde County District Court. The entire process, from petition filing to final order, generally takes 90-180 days to complete.
Access to arrest records in Uvalde County is subject to certain statutory limitations designed to protect privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Texas Government Code § 552.108 establishes exceptions to disclosure for records that:
Additionally, arrest records involving juveniles (under 17 years of age) are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code Chapter 58. These records are generally not available to the public unless the juvenile was certified to stand trial as an adult.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies in Uvalde County are required to redact certain personal identifying information before releasing arrest records, including:
Governmental bodies in Uvalde County must balance public information access rights with privacy protections when responding to arrest record requests. Requestors who believe information has been improperly withheld may seek remedies through the Texas Attorney General's Office or judicial review.