Guadalupe County Arrest Records

Guadalupe County arrest records are documents about the apprehension and detention of persons suspected of criminal activity. These records are generated by arresting agencies and members of law enforcement following an arrest. They typically contain details of the criminal offense, the detainee, the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and bail/bond information where applicable. Since arrests are a significant aspect of the criminal justice system, Guadalupe County arrest information is sometimes featured within the Guadalupe County court records and other judicial documents. These records may be made available to interested and eligible members of the public on request unless otherwise determined by law or court order.

Are Arrest Records Public in Guadalupe County?

Yes, most arrest records in Guadalupe County are considered public information under Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, also known as the Texas Public Information Act. This law ensures transparency by allowing members of the public to access records maintained by public bodies, including arrest records. However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure, particularly those containing sensitive information, such as juvenile arrest records, sealed records, or ongoing investigative files. Information such as social security numbers and medical records are generally kept confidential.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Guadalupe County generally contain key pieces of information about the arrested individual and the circumstances of their arrest. This includes the arrestee's full name, physical description, and booking number. Public arrest records may also reflect the charges brought against the individual, the type of arrest (e.g., warrant or on-view arrest), the date and time of the arrest, and any bond or bail information associated with the case. These details are part of the public record unless the record is subject to an exemption.

Guadalupe County Crime Rate

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, Guadalupe County's crime rate of 1,727.9 per 100,000 residents in 2023 reflects a 7.30% decline from the 2022 estimation of 1,863.9 per 100,000. The county's number of incidents by index offense is as follows:

• Murder and nonnegligent homicide: 5
• Rape: 48
• Robbery: 19
• Simple and Aggravated Assault: 1,343
• Burglary: 170
• Larceny-theft: 1,108
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 159
• Human Trafficking: 27

A comparative analysis of 2022 crime data reveals only 3 of the 8 index offenses saw increased occurrence. Murder incidents increased by 66.67% from 3 reports in 2022, rape increased by 23.08% and assault by 7.44%. All other offenses decreased by at least 10%, with the maximum decrease being robbery incidents, down 36.67%, and the least being larceny-theft, which saw a 10.28% decrease. The decline in crime highlights the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to reduce criminal activity and improve community safety.

Find Guadalupe County Arrest Records

To find arrest records in Guadalupe County, interested members of the public may contact the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office or the arresting municipal law enforcement agency. Access to arrest information held by the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office is provided online, but inquirers may also send written requests to the office via mail or make in-person queries to the Sheriff's Records Division. One handy tool for accessing arrest information is the Jail Records Inquiry system, which allows individuals to search for detainees currently held in the Guadalupe County Jail by entering the defendant's name, birth date, release date, and/or booking number. In-person or mail queries may be addressed to:

Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office
2617 N. Guadalupe Street
Seguin, TX 78155
Phone: (830) 379-1224
Fax: (830) 372-5408

If an individual was arrested by a federal or state law enforcement agency in Guadalupe County but is being held at the county jail, the details of their arrest may still be available from the arresting agency. For those who have already been convicted and sentenced, individuals can find incarceration details through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Information portal (for state prisoners) or the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (for federal inmates).

Free Arrest Record Search in Guadalupe County

Per the Texas Public Information Act, a formal request for an arrest record can be submitted to the law enforcement agency holding the record at no cost. However, if the requester requires a physical or digital copy of the arrest record, they may need to cover the costs of reproducing the document. In addition, several third-party websites offer free access to basic arrest information. These platforms generally allow individuals to search using a first and last name, providing limited information about arrests. However, detailed records may require account creation or payment of a fee, depending on the platform.

Get Guadalupe County Criminal Records

A Guadalupe County criminal record encompasses an individual's lifetime criminal history within county limits. These records are primarily maintained by local law enforcement, including the county sheriff's office. However, they may also be accessed through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or the courthouse where the case was adjudicated.

The Texas DPS offers an online Computerized Criminal History System (CCH) that allows registered users to search for criminal records by the name of the record holder. Inquirers may also submit mail-in requests to the Texas DPS or other agencies for criminal records. The DPS only processes criminal records through the CCH system, but residents can also make in-person inquiries at the Guadalupe County courthouse or the Sheriff's Office. Requesters are encouraged to provide detailed information to streamline the search process, such as the full name of the individual and the date of the incident in question.

Inquirers may also search for criminal record information using the Criminal Case Records tool listed under the Guadalupe County Records Inquiry Platform. To facilitate the record search, the inquirer will need to provide the case number, the case status, and the date filed.

Guadalupe County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records typically document the incident that led to an individual's apprehension by law enforcement, including details about the arrest date, charges, and booking information. In contrast, criminal records include more comprehensive data, encompassing arrests, charges, prosecutions, convictions, and any time spent in incarceration.

An arrest record does not imply guilt and simply reflects that an individual was taken into custody. A criminal record, however, can have a broader impact on a person's personal and professional life, as it shows the outcome of prosecutions, including convictions.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Guadalupe County, Texas, arrests can potentially remain on an individual's record indefinitely, especially if the person was convicted of a serious offense. Even in cases where no conviction occurs, the arrest may still be reflected in a background check unless it is removed through a legal process like expungement. Texas law provides a way for certain individuals to clear their arrest records through the process of expunction under specific conditions outlined by the state statutes.

Expunge Guadalupe County Arrest Records

The expungement, or expunction, process in Guadalupe County is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Individuals in Guadalupe County can seek expungement under the following circumstances:

• The charges against them were dismissed.
• They were acquitted at trial.
• They were convicted of a misdemeanor that qualifies for expungement.
• They received a pardon from the governor or the president.
• They were convicted but later acquitted on appeal.
• The prosecutor declined to pursue charges, and the required waiting period has passed.

To initiate the expungement process, the individual must file a petition with the appropriate court in Guadalupe County. The petition should include the individual's criminal history and relevant forms or documentation.

Guadalupe County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document directing law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of criminal activity. In Guadalupe County, arrest warrants are typically issued when probable cause is established based on a sworn affidavit or testimony provided by a peace officer.

Arrest warrants may also be issued "from the bench" if an individual fails to meet their court obligations, such as appearing for a scheduled hearing. These types of warrants are used to compel a person to appear before the court or face legal consequences.

A typical Guadalupe County arrest warrant will include the following information:

• The name of the individual to be arrested
• The alleged offense for which the individual is being arrested.
• The name and signature of the issuing magistrate or judge.
• The court or jurisdiction where the warrant is issued.

Guadalupe County Arrest Warrant Search

Residents or individuals looking to determine if there is an active arrest warrant in Guadalupe County may query the Sheriff's Office of Guadalupe County during regular business hours. The office publishes a Most Wanted List outlining individuals who have an active warrant against them and are likely on the run from law enforcement.

Additionally, individuals can inquire with the local court that may have issued the warrant to access case records and verify the warrant's status. Guadalupe County may also provide online resources for checking warrant status, although this depends on the specific court and law enforcement databases.

Do Guadalupe County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Guadalupe County, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the individual named in the warrant is arrested and appears before the court.