Are Criminal Records in Denton County Publicly Accessible?

Yes, most criminal records in Denton County are classified as public records. This means the general public may inspect or request copies of these documents from government entities.

The Texas Public Information Act governs the process and requirements for accessing public records. For example, the law requires requesters to present written or oral requests for criminal records to government entities. In turn, these entities must disclose the record if the requester meets the legal requirements.

Nonetheless, certain criminal records are restricted from public access. Exempted records typically contain data that, if disclosed, does not benefit the public. Examples of restricted criminal records in Denton County include:

• Internal law enforcement records regarding arrests that did not lead to a conviction;
• Sensitive images of crime scenes;
• Information regarding threats made to law enforcement officers;
• Information that is exempt under state or federal statutes;
• Criminal information that is sealed or exempt due to a court order;
• Identification of witnesses or whistleblowers in a criminal investigation;
• Crime-related information shared between a defendant and their legal representative.

Who is Eligible to Access Denton County Criminal Records in Texas?

Under Texas state laws, all persons and entities may legally access most criminal records in Denton County. State law does not restrict access based on a requester's location or reason for requesting the record.

However, the law generally prevents public access to sealed or legally exempt criminal records. Access to such records is generally restricted to the following requesters:

• The record subject
• The record subject's legal representatives.
• Government entities, such as county clerk offices, criminal justice agencies, and judicial entities.
• Crime victims and other parties may be directly affected by the criminal incident.
• Third-party requesters that have the record subject's written consent or authorization.
• Third-party requesters with a court order that empowers them to access the record.

Note: Legally eligible inquirers must present a valid government-issued ID when requesting criminal records in Denton County.

How to Request Criminal Records in Denton County

Interested applicants may request Denton County criminal records by following these steps:

Step 1: Find the agency responsible for keeping the record

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) maintains criminal records generated in Denton County. In contrast, the county district clerk maintains access to criminal case records.

Step 2: Choose an option for accessing criminal records

Denton County criminal records are obtainable through online, mail-in, and walk-in requests. The TxDPS allows online and mail-based requests for criminal records. However, the district clerk offers online, mail, and walk-in access options.

Step 3: Order Denton County criminal records from the custodian agency

To get criminal records from the district clerk, applicants must submit a completed request form via mail, email, or in-person requests to:

Physical address
1450 East McKinney Street
Denton, Texas

Mail address
P.O. Box 2146
Denton, Texas 76202
Email: dcrecords@dentoncounty.gov

The Denton County Clerk's Office maintains an online searchable database of court records. Users must provide relevant search information to view criminal records on the database.

In contrast, applicants may conduct name- or fingerprint-based searches for criminal records under the purview of the TxDPS. For name-based searches, applicants must input the required search data into the agency's criminal history conviction search portal. However, applicants using the fingerprint-based search option must get fingerprinted through an authorized third-party vendor.

Step 3: Pay the required fees

The district clerk's office charges $1 per page of plain paper or electronic copies and $5 for certifying the record. However, it costs $0.1 per page if the document is more than 10 pages.

Applicants may look up Denton County criminal records through third-party search platforms like texascourtrecords.us. These sites are generally easy to navigate and do not restrict users based on their locations. However, third-party sites operate outside government jurisdiction and, as such, may contain inaccurate information.

What Information Is Contained in Denton County Criminal Records?

In Denton County, criminal records may contain the following details:

• The record subject's personal data, including name, birthplace, SSN, sex, race, height, and weight.
• Arrest information, including the charges and booking date.
• Record subject’s complete set of fingerprints
• Criminal offense name and classification.
• Court disposition and conviction
• Sentencing information.

Public criminal records in Denton County may not include confidential information, such as crime victims’ identities and juvenile crime data.

Are There Restrictions on Accessing Criminal Records in Denton County?

Yes, record custodian agencies may restrict access to criminal records that are sealed by court order or exempt under statutes. Criminal records are also restricted for privacy and safety reasons. For instance, unauthorized access to crime victims’ information may lead to negative consequences such as discrimination in the local community.

However, some individuals or entities are still able to access restricted criminal records. Such parties typically have a direct and tangible interest in the record. For instance, record subjects, legal representatives, criminal justice agencies, and the courts are legally eligible to access restricted criminal records in Denton County.

What Happens if My Request for Criminal Records is Denied in Denton County?

If a record custodian agency denies your request, you may choose to accept or challenge the agency’s decision. To challenge a record denial, you must file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General Office’s Open Records Division at:

1801 Congress Avenue
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711

The complaint must include your original request, the agency’s response, and other documents to support your complaint.

Note that record custodian agencies may deny requests for criminal records if:

• The request is not specific enough for the agency to retrieve the record.
• The requested record is not available.
• The record is legally exempt under statutes or due to a court order.
• The requester does not have the legal right to obtain the record.

How to Expunge or Seal Denton County Criminal Records

Eligible offenders may expunge or seal criminal records by filing a petition with the district court at:

• The petitioner’s personal information
• Criminal offense and classification
• Court information, including the trial court’s name and case number
• Names and contact information of all entities that have access to the criminal information.
• A statement declaring a request for relief.

The court will review the petition and determine whether the offender is eligible to expunge their criminal record. Under Texas laws, you are eligible to expunge criminal records if:

• You were tried and later acquitted by the trial court.
• You were not convicted, and there was no court-ordered supervision.
• You were convicted of an offense committed before September 1, 2021, under Section 46.02 (a).
• You have not previously received an expungement for criminal records.
• The statutes of limitation on the alleged crime have elapsed.

Note: Offenders must wait for a certain period before they may expunge or seal criminal records. For instance, they must wait three months after the arrest date to expunge Class C misdemeanors.