Coryell County Arrest Records

In Coryell County, an arrest occurs when police officers take individuals into custody or restrict their freedom of movement. The following circumstances typically necessitate an arrest:

• A judge grants the officer an arrest warrant
• A police officer witnesses a crime being committed
• Officers have reasonable suspicion that someone has done or will commit a crime

After every arrest, the officer takes the suspect to a jail, police station, or custody center. An arrest record is produced when details regarding the arrest and the detained person's personal information are compiled into an official document. Law enforcement agencies manage arrest information, but these records may also be included in Coryell County court records if they are deemed relevant to a judicial proceeding.

Are Arrest Records Public in Coryell County?

Yes. Arrest records from Coryell County are considered public documents per the Texas Public Information Act and Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration. This implies that any member of the public has the right to examine and copy any arrest records that a law enforcement agency or county court maintains. According to Rule 12, a party requesting an arrest document may be exempt from explaining why they are making the request. However, the court retains the authority to limit access to specific arrest information if their disclosure may adversely impact personal or public safety. Confidential Coryell County arrest records include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Arrest records that are part of an ongoing investigation
• Records that reveal the identity of sexual-related offenses
• Arrest records revealing sensitive personal data
• Records of government officials who have immunity
• Any arrest record that is covered by Texas non-disclosure laws

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A typical Coryell County arrest record will usually contain the following information:

• The name of the arrested person
• Age
• Sex
• Last known address
• Physical characteristics of the arrested individual (race, weight, eye color, hair color, height)
• History of arrests (number of arrests, charges, disposition, sentencing information)
• Cause of latest arrest
• Arrest date and time
• Booking number
• Current place of detention
• Arresting agency
• Possible release date
• Bail and fines

Find Coryell County Arrest Records

Interested members of the public may find Coryell County arrest records at the law enforcement agency's office that made the arrest. Law enforcement agencies in Coryell County typically operate a dedicated record unit that processes arrest record requests. Requests can be made in person, through mail, or by telephone. For example, the Coryell County Sheriff's Department receives and responds to arrest record requests through the office's Records Clerk. Requests must be submitted in writing to the office's Records Clerk, with details of the arrest records being sought. To facilitate the arrest record request, the following information is typically required:

• The name of the person arrested
• The date and time of the arrest
• A description of the type of records needed

Free Arrest Record Search in Coryell County

Eligible inquirers may access free arrest record information in Coryell County by requesting a fee waiver from record custodians. Law enforcement may honor the request if the individual was wrongfully arrested, tried, and proven innocent or if the requestor can prove that they will use the record to serve the public interest. However, it is at the department's discretion to honor such requests.

An alternative option for performing an arrest record search is to use third-party databases. Numerous private third-party companies provide free arrest record searches through online background checks. These websites also allow users to search arrest records by entering the name of a person of interest. However, many of these websites offer limited services to free users. A paid subscription is required for extensive research.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Arrests will remain on a person's record forever if no action is taken to remove them. Even when a suspect has their charges dismissed or is acquitted of a crime, the records will always come up in background checks. The only way to erase an arrest from a person's record is to have them expunged or have an order of non-disclosure.

Expunge Coryell County Arrest Records

In Coryell County, an arrest record can be removed from public access by expungement or non-disclosure. A petition for expungement is not the same as a petition for non-disclosure. Non-disclosure is comparable to sealing a document. An order of non-disclosure is a court order that restricts public organizations, including courts, court clerks, law enforcement, and prosecuting offices, from making public certain criminal records that are under their control. On the other hand, expungement is the process of deleting all of the records from their system.

To file for an expungement or non-disclosure of records, the record holder must satisfy the state's eligibility requirements. The criteria to be eligible for an expungement in Coryell, Texas, is generally more stringent than getting a non-disclosure. Most convictions that are not violent crimes, sex offenses, or class felonies can be granted a non-disclosure. Persons who can request expungement in Texas fall into the following categories:

• Arrest records that led to convictions but were later pardoned by the Texas governor or a US president
• Arrest records for convictions that were later acquitted in an appeals court.
• Arrest records of persons who were not officially charged with a crime.
• Arrests where the criminal charges were later dismissed.
• Any conviction of a minor for specific alcohol-related offenses.
• Arrests for certain qualifying misdemeanor juvenile charges.

Record holders may not petition for the erasure of a dismissed felony charge if the statute of limitations for the offense in question has not yet passed. The statute of limitations is the period after an individual has been arrested for a crime, during which the state or county must bring legal action against them. The statute of limitations varies based on the offense, although it is typically 3 years or more.

Eligible persons may apply for expungement by following these steps:

• Obtain an expungement petition form at the Coryell County Clerk's office.
• The petition should contain the petitioner's name and identification number, the offense for which they are charged, the date of the arrest, and the date of the alleged offense. The petitioner may also hire an attorney to assist in the procedure.
• The petition must be completed and submitted to the appropriate court. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, it may be filed in district, county, or municipal court. If the offense were charged, the petition may have to be submitted to the court initially assigned to the case. The petitioner will also be required to pay a filing fee.

The court will schedule a hearing to decide on the petition. If the petition is granted, a written order will be sent to the institutions that maintain the arrest records to have them expunged.

Getting an Order for Non-disclosure might be possible if expungement is not an option because of the nature of the offense, charge, or conviction. Under the guidelines outlined in Subsection (e) of Section 411.081, Government Code, an individual may submit a Petition for Non-Disclosure to the Coryell County Clerk's Civil Department. When the petition is filed, the petitioner must pay the $350.00 filing fee for a standard civil complaint.

Coryell County Arrest Warrants

A Coryell County arrest warrant is a written order issued by a district or magistrate court judge instructing law enforcement to make an arrest.

A county court judge issues arrest warrants when a citizen or law enforcement agent makes a written complaint to the court. The complaint, a signed affidavit, should detail information that a person is suspected of committing a crime. The affidavit should also provide sufficient evidence to enable the judge to decide to issue the warrant eventually. Arrest warrants issued by a Coryell County court will usually contain the following information:

• The name of the person who is to be arrested and a description of the person
• The charges against the accused person.
• It must state the name of the issuing judge and court
• A magistrate must sign it
• It must contain a command to law enforcement to apprehend the individual named in the warrant.

The Coryell County clerk's office maintains a list of active warrants issued in the courts. Individuals can visit the county court clerk's office and obtain the list or call (254) 865-8631 to find out if a person has had a warrant issued against them.

Warrant units of police departments in Coryell County can also provide arrest warrant look-ups.

Do Coryell County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Coryell County arrest warrants do not expire or become inactive after some time. If the person on the warrant is not arrested years after the warrant was issued, the warrant remains valid and can still be executed. An arrest warrant becomes inactive only when it is executed, a judge recalls it due to a new legislature decriminalizing a suspect's charges or when the suspect dies.