Brown County Arrest Records

An arrest record is a document that indicates a person has been apprehended, taken into police custody, and booked into the county jail. When there is probable cause to believe that the suspect committed a crime or violated local, state, or federal criminal laws, a person may be arrested with or without an arrest warrant.

Brown County arrest records are usually the first documents created when a person becomes involved with the Texas criminal justice system. Subsequently, if the suspect is charged and arraigned before the court, the court clerk prepares and maintains Brown County Court Records to document the court proceedings. Likewise, if the defendant is convicted, the local criminal justice agencies (police and the courts) will submit the crime records to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the repository for criminal history records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Brown County?

Yes. The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552) reinforces the policy of the state that every person is entitled to complete information about the affairs of the government and acts and conducts public officers and employees unless in matters where the law states otherwise. The Act defines public information as information that is written, produced, collated, filed, and maintained by a government body or on behalf of a government body under the tenets of a law in connection with the transaction of official business.

From the provision of the PIA, it is evident that arrest records are public records. Law enforcement agencies must provide a mechanism for individuals to inspect or request copies of arrest records. While this is so, we must remember that some public information may be made confidential by statute or expressly exempt from public disclosure. When a public record, such as arrest information, is exempt from disclosure, government custodians are strictly prohibited from releasing all such information under the PIA.

Below are examples of arrest or law enforcement records and related information that are exceptions to the policy of freedom of information:

• Any record or information where the disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
• Information disclosed under attorney-client privilege
• Law enforcement records where such disclosure would interfere with the detection, investigation, and prosecution of crime
• The address, telephone number, social security number, or family information of a government official or a current or retired peace officer
• Records that may identify the victim of a crime
• Sensitive crime scene images.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Texas, public arrest information may vary from county to county and may also depend on the laws in force at the time of the arrest. Brown County arrest records generally contain all of the information below:

• Arrestee’s Identification: The subject’s full name, date of birth, and physical description.
• Mugshot
• Booking information: Booking ID, fingerprint, mugshots and holding facility
• Arrest Data: The identity of the law enforcement officers involved, the time, date, and location of arrest, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest
• Booking Data: Booking ID, date and time of booking, place of custody
• Charge: The charges the arrestee is being held on, including outstanding warrants, parole, or probation holds.
• Bail Information (bond amount)
• Release: Time, date, and conditions for release
• Court-related details: Scheduled court dates.

Brown County Arrest Statistics

According to statistics derived from the Crime in Texas 2023 report, the crime rate in Brown County is 2276.8 per 100,000 people. In 2023, Brown County local law enforcement agencies reported approximately 879 index offenses and made 211 arrests. The most reported crimes were larceny (574), burglary (115), aggravated assault, and auto theft (44). In the same year, law enforcement agencies in Brown County also recorded 474 incidents of family violence.

Find Brown County Arrest Records

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act's provisions, arrest information in law enforcement agencies' custody is public record. Therefore, Brown County residents and other interested persons have a right to request and inspect arrest information prepared or maintained by state, county, and municipal law enforcement authorities.

The Brown County Sheriff's Office is the chief agency in charge of creating, maintaining, and disseminating records of persons arrested and incarcerated within its jurisdiction. Interested persons can find Brown County at the County Sheriff’s Office. To obtain public arrest records, one may visit the sheriff’s office during its usual business hours to request or inspect police and incident reports, as well as records of arrests and incarcerated persons in the custody of the Brown County Sheriff.

All requests for copies of law enforcement records must be in writing. Requests for copies of open records may be sent by mail, fax, or in person at the sheriff’s office. Researchers may call the sheriff’s office at (325) 646-5510 to confirm the availability and status of the information sought, as well as all administrative fees, formalities, and accepted methods of payment.

While all local arrest records are in the custody of the Brown County Sheriff, individuals can obtain incident reports, police reports, or other arrest information from city police departments like the Bangs Police Department or Brownwood Police Department. In addition, information on persons in Brown County Jail may be available online at the Brown County Inmate Roster.

Brown County Sheriff’s Office
1050 West Commerce
Brownwood, TX 76801
Phone: (325) 646-5510
Fax: (325) 643-3238

Free Arrest Record Search in Brown County

Brown County residents can perform free arrest record searches at the District Court Clerk’s office. Criminal court records generally contain basic arrest information and extensive documentation on the trial process and conviction.

Researchers may also contact other police departments in Brown County to find arrest information. While inspecting records is free, requesting certified copies or duplicate copies of a public record attracts a fee. The requester may be charged per page or document according to the custodian's fee schedule.

Alternatively, researchers may use third-party public record search sites. These sites host arrest information from multiple jurisdictions, counties, and states on a central website, making it accessible and convenient. Although their services are not free, third-party sites sometimes have relatively affordable subscription plans and different payment options.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Permanently. In Brown County, Texas, criminal arrests, charges, and prosecution remain on the individual's record permanently until it is expunged or sealed. The only exception is for juvenile offenders. Juvenile records may be sealed automatically when you turn 18 if the subject does not have any adult felony convictions or pending adult charges.

Expunge Brown County Arrest Records

Per Article 55.01. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, any person who has been arrested for committing either a felony or misdemeanor is entitled to have all files and records of their arrest expunged under any of the following circumstances - if the person is tried for the offense and acquitted by the trial court or convicted and subsequently pardoned or granted relief on the basis of actual innocence, or When the person has been released, and the charge has neither resulted in a final conviction nor is it pending, and there was no court-ordered community supervision. Furthermore, a person may also entitled to have their records of arrest expunged where:

• A person can seek expunction under the following conditions:
• At least 180 days have passed since arrest for a Class C misdemeanor, with no felony charge from the same incident.
• At least one year has passed for Class A or B misdemeanors, with no related felony charge.
• At least three years have passed for felonies or if a felony charge arose from the same circumstances.
• The state attorney certifies that the arrest records are not needed for any investigations.
• The case was dismissed or quashed after completing a veterans or mental health treatment program.
• The arrest was due to mistaken identity or lack of probable cause.
• The indictment or information was void.
• The statute of limitations has expired for prosecution.

Once they meet all the above criteria, the subject of an arrest record can petition the court in the county where they were arrested to expunge identifying information, such as their name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, and social security number, from their arrest records.

Brown County Arrest Warrants

In line with Article 15.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, an arrest warrant is a written order issued by a magistrate directing a police officer or a specific law enforcement officer to arrest the named individual for a criminal charge or charges listed in the said warrant. An arrest warrant issued in the state of Texas must meet the following requirements:

• It must state the name of the person to be arrested if known. If the name of the accused is unknown, there must be a reasonable, particularly identifiable description of the individual.
• It must state that the named individual is accused of a criminal offense and state the offense.
• The signature and name of the magistrate must be appended on the body of the warrant.
• It must be issued under the name “The State of Texas”.

Do Brown County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants issued throughout the state of Texas do not have expiration dates. They remain active and enforceable until they are executed, quashed, resolved, or recalled. The only type of warrant that expires is a search warrant. Law enforcement officers are legally permitted to arrest a suspect named in an arrest warrant at any location and at any time after the warrant is issued.