Arrest records are public in Georgetown, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This statute establishes that government records, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies, shall be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records created, collected, or maintained by public bodies in the course of official business. Members of the public may request and obtain arrest records from various Georgetown and Williamson County agencies that maintain such information in accordance with § 552.021 of the Texas Government Code.
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Georgetown, Texas. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest record information:
Georgetown Police Department
3500 DB Wood Road
Georgetown, TX 78628
(512) 930-3510
Georgetown Police Department Records
Williamson County Sheriff's Office
508 S. Rock Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1300
Williamson County Sheriff's Office
Williamson County District Clerk
405 Martin Luther King Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1212
Williamson County District Clerk
Online Public Access Systems: The Williamson County inmate information system provides limited arrest data for individuals currently in custody or recently released.
Third-Party Record Providers: Commercial vendors aggregate public records from multiple jurisdictions, though fees typically apply and information may not be as current as official sources.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Fee schedules are established in accordance with guidelines set by the Office of the Attorney General.
Georgetown arrest records typically contain standardized information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 66.251. Standard arrest record components include:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the offense. Certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exceptions provided in Texas Government Code § 552.108, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or matters affecting public safety.
Arrest records obtained from Georgetown authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes as permitted under Texas law. Authorized uses include:
Background Screening: Employers may review arrest records when evaluating candidates for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations, subject to limitations imposed by the Texas Workforce Commission guidelines.
Housing Applications: Property managers and landlords may consider arrest records when evaluating rental applications, though restrictions apply under fair housing regulations.
Professional Licensing: Regulatory boards for occupations requiring licensure may evaluate arrest records as part of character and fitness determinations pursuant to Texas Occupations Code provisions.
Personal Safety: Individuals may access arrest records to make informed decisions regarding personal associations and safety concerns.
Research and Statistical Analysis: Academic institutions and policy organizations may utilize anonymized arrest data for research purposes in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.147.
Media Reporting: News organizations routinely access arrest records to report on matters of public interest and safety concerns within the Georgetown community.
Users of arrest record information should be aware that an arrest does not constitute proof of guilt, as all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Improper use of arrest record information may result in civil liability under various state and federal statutes governing privacy, discrimination, and defamation.
Not all arrest records are fully accessible to the public. The following restrictions apply to Georgetown arrest records pursuant to Texas statutes and administrative regulations:
Juvenile Records: Arrest records for individuals under 17 years of age are generally confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and judicial purposes.
Expunged Records: Records of arrests that have been expunged by court order pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access and may not be disclosed by government agencies.
Orders of Nondisclosure: Records subject to an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 are restricted from public disclosure, though they remain available to law enforcement and certain authorized entities.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld under Texas Government Code § 552.108 if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
Victim Information: Personal identifying information of crime victims may be redacted from public records, particularly in cases involving sexual assault, family violence, or stalking, in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 57.02.
Confidential Informants: Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants is exempt from disclosure under Texas Government Code § 552.108(a)(2).
The Georgetown Police Department and Williamson County Sheriff's Office are responsible for ensuring compliance with these restrictions when responding to public information requests.
Under Texas law, eligible individuals may petition for expungement (expunction) of arrest records maintained by Georgetown law enforcement agencies. Expungement permanently removes arrest information from official records pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the Williamson County District Court. Petitioners must serve copies on all agencies maintaining records subject to expungement, including the Georgetown Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Following expungement, agencies must destroy all records of the arrest, and the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.03.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Williamson County District Clerk can provide standardized forms, though many petitioners secure legal representation to navigate the procedural requirements.