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Huntsville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Huntsville, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in Huntsville, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability within law enforcement operations and other governmental functions.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision ensures that residents and interested parties may access arrest records maintained by local agencies in Huntsville. The public nature of these records facilitates community awareness and supports the principle that governmental actions should remain open to public scrutiny.

How to Look Up Huntsville Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Huntsville, Texas in 2025. These records are maintained by various governmental entities and may be accessed through both electronic and in-person channels. The following constitute the primary methods through which members of the public may search for and obtain arrest records:

Huntsville Police Department Records Division: The Records Division maintains arrest reports and other law enforcement documentation. Individuals may submit public information requests in person or through designated electronic channels.
Walker County Sheriff's Office: This agency maintains records of arrests conducted within its jurisdiction, which includes Huntsville. Records requests must comply with established departmental procedures.
Walker County District Clerk's Office: For cases that have proceeded to prosecution, the District Clerk maintains court records that may include arrest information.
Texas Department of Public Safety: The state agency maintains a centralized criminal history database that includes arrest records from jurisdictions throughout Texas, including Huntsville.
Online Public Access Systems: The Huntsville Police Department provides limited online access to certain public records through its official website.

Requestors should note that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may be assessed for record retrieval, duplication, and processing. These fees are established in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.

Huntsville Police Department
1220 11th Street
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 291-5480
Huntsville Police Department Official Website

Walker County Sheriff's Office
717 FM 2821 West
Huntsville, TX 77320
Phone: (936) 435-2400

Walker County District Clerk
1100 University Avenue, Room 209
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 436-4922

Contents of a Huntsville Arrest Record

Arrest records in Huntsville, Texas typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Texas law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Custody status and bail/bond determinations
Case disposition information, if available
Warrant information, when applicable
Vehicle information, if relevant to the arrest

It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 62.005, if the arrest pertains to a registrable sex offense, additional information may be included and subject to specific disclosure requirements. Furthermore, certain elements of arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Texas Government Code § 552.130 (driver's license information), § 552.136 (credit card information), and § 552.147 (social security numbers).

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Huntsville operates within a defined legal framework established by state legislation and judicial precedent. The Texas Public Information Act serves as the primary statutory authority governing public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests.

Under Texas Government Code § 552.022, certain categories of information are expressly designated as public information, including "information in an account, voucher, or contract relating to the receipt or expenditure of public funds" and "a completed report, audit, evaluation, or investigation made of, for, or by a governmental body." Arrest records generally fall within these categories of presumptively public information.

However, several statutory exceptions may limit access to certain components of arrest records:

Texas Government Code § 552.108 establishes a law enforcement exception that may temporarily restrict access to records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Texas Government Code § 552.101 protects information considered confidential under other laws, including federal statutes
Texas Family Code § 58.106 restricts access to juvenile arrest records under specified circumstances

The Huntsville Municipal Court adheres to these statutory provisions when processing requests for arrest records. Requestors should be aware that certain information may be withheld or redacted in accordance with applicable exemptions.

Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Huntsville are generally accessible to the public, several important restrictions govern their availability. These limitations serve to balance transparency with other compelling interests such as privacy, ongoing investigations, and rehabilitation.

The following restrictions may apply to arrest record access in Huntsville:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, certain arrest records may be sealed by court order, rendering them inaccessible through standard public information channels.
Juvenile Records: Under Texas Family Code § 58.106, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and limited disclosure.
Ongoing Investigations: Records related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld under the law enforcement exception codified in Texas Government Code § 552.108.
Expunged Records: Following successful expunction proceedings, arrest records are removed from public access and agencies are prohibited from disclosing their existence.
Deferred Adjudication: Records related to cases resolved through deferred disposition may have limited accessibility following successful completion of program requirements.
Driving Safety Course Records: Certain traffic violation arrests may be restricted from public access following completion of a driving safety course.

Governmental entities in Huntsville must adhere to these restrictions when processing public information requests. Failure to comply with applicable confidentiality provisions may result in administrative penalties or civil liability.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Huntsville

Expungement provides a legal mechanism through which qualifying individuals may have arrest records removed from public access in Huntsville. This process effectively erases the arrest from official records and prohibits governmental agencies from disclosing information about the expunged arrest.

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

The person was arrested but never charged with an offense
Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
The person was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The person successfully completed certain pretrial diversion programs
The arrest resulted from identity theft or false identification

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that would have jurisdiction over the case. The petition must contain specific information as prescribed by statute, including identifying information, date of arrest, offense charged, and the law enforcement agency that made the arrest.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine eligibility. If the court grants the expungement, an order will be issued directing all agencies possessing records of the arrest to destroy or return those records to the court.

Walker County District Court
1100 University Avenue
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 436-4915