Houston Arrest Records

In Houston, Texas, arrest records are government files about arrests conducted within the city. Such records may contain the arrestee's details, charges, booking date, and bond amount. Houston law enforcement officers typically make arrests when there is sufficient evidence that a crime occurred. They also apprehend persons to prevent a potential loss of life or property. Officers may book and detain arrestees in the city or county jail.

Houston's Police Department generates arrest records and releases them to the public. Public members may find arrest information in other public documents. For instance, Texas court records include arrest information like the arrest charges, booking date, crime scene evidence, and bond amount.

Are Arrest Records Public in Houston?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, most arrest records are publicly accessible in the City. The law allows public members to view and obtain copies of the records from designated record custodians. In turn, record custodians must maintain options for the public to access records. Case in point: The Houston Police Department allows in-person inquiries for arrest records in their custody. Record seekers may request in person at:

1200 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002.

Some arrest records in Houston are not open to the public. Such records typically contain information whose disclosure violates the privacy or safety of concerned parties. Examples of non-public arrest records include the following:

• Law enforcement officers' personal information.
• Recordings of gruesome crime scenes.
• Arrest documents that are sealed or expunged due to court orders or statutes.

Houston Arrest Statistics

Per the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, the Houston Police Department conducted 37,272 arrests in 2023. However, no statistical reports on arrestees held in the Harris County Jail Inmate Processing Center exist. The facility houses offenders arrested by Houston's law enforcement officers.Inquirers may find inmate information by visiting the facility at:

700 North San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas.

Find Houston Arrest Records

Public members may find information about the arrests in Houston in public documents, such as incident reports and inmate records. Inmate records, for instance, include the arrestee's personal data, arrest charges, booking date, and bond amount.

Interested parties may look up inmate records through inmate databases maintained by government entities. For example, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains an online search platform for inmate records. To view records on the platform, interested parties must fill in the inmate's name, race, gender, SID number, and TDCJ number.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons also hosts a searchable platform for inmates held in federal penal institutions. Interested parties may view records on the platform by using the inmate's name or prison identification number.

Houston Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

In Houston, arrest records differ from criminal records in terms of content, custodian agency, and social implications.

Arrest records only provide information on arrest-related events. The records may include arrestees' names, addresses, physical descriptions, criminal charges, and bond amounts. In contrast, criminal records are a compilation of an individual's criminal history. The records may include arrest, court, and incarceration data.

Arrest records are under the purview of law enforcement agencies. These agencies generate and maintain arrest information, such as police or incident reports. On the other hand, you will find criminal records through the Texas Department of Public Safety. The agency creates criminal records by collating all relevant data from concerned agencies.

Arrest records have almost no negative impact on a record subject's life. Arrestees may not face discrimination for having an arrest record. However, this is not the case for those with criminal records. Such parties may face consequences like restrictions in their daily activities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Houston, arrests remain visible in public records until they are expunged or sealed. You may seal or expunge arrest records by fulfilling the legal requirements. The requirements include filing a petition with a court clerk.

Houston Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Houston are court directives that authorize the arrest of suspected offenders. The Houston Municipal Court judges issue warrants for Class C misdemeanors after receiving an affidavit from arresting officers.

Houston arrest warrants typically contain the following information:

• The defendant's name, aliases, and physical features like race, height, and gender.
• Offense name and description.
• The court magistrate's official title and signature.

Do Houston Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not automatically expire in Houston. Warrants remain active until they are resolved or served to the defendant. Note that the statute of limitations for the crime does not affect the validity of an arrest warrant.

Expunge Houston Arrest Records

Houston residents may expunge arrest records by filing a petition with the district court. The court will review the petition and make the necessary decisions after considering the eligibility requirements and submissions from all concerned parties.

Who is eligible to expunge Houston arrest records

Per Art. 45.0216, you are eligible to expunge arrest records under these conditions:

• You were not convicted, and there was no court-ordered supervision.
• The court dismissed the case
• You were tried but later acquitted or pardoned.

How to expunge arrest records in Houston.

Petitioners may expunge arrest records by using this guide:

1. Determine if you meet the eligibility criteria to expunge the record.
2. Gather the following documents:
   1. Petition for expungement (to expunge arrest records relating to Class C misdemeanors filed in the city).
   2. Order Setting Hearing
   3. Agreed Order of Expunction.
3. Attach a $227 filing fee along with the document. Contact the district court clerk's office to confirm the filing fees.
4. Send the petition and order setting hearing document in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
   Harris County District Clerk
   Civil/Family Post-Trial
   201 Caroline
   2nd Floor
   Room 250
   Houston, Texas 77002.