Hidalgo County Arrest Records

In Hidalgo County, Texas, an arrest refers to the process of apprehending an individual and taking them into custody. Arrests occur when an individual is suspected of or found to be committing a criminal offense or violating a law. Offenses that lead to the arrest of individuals include, but are not limited to, drug offenses, DWI/DUI, assault and battery, theft and burglary, sexual offenses like rape and sexual assault, weapons violations, fraud and forgery, etc.

Under the statutory provisions of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Title 1, Chapter 2), law enforcement officers in Hidalgo County are empowered to arrest individuals under various circumstances, such as when a person is caught committing a crime, when they have a valid arrest warrant, or when there is probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime.

When a person is arrested in Hidalgo County, the local law enforcement agency, such as the Sheriff's Office or a city police department, creates a report on the arrest known as an arrest record. This record details the circumstances surrounding an individual's arrest and includes subsequent interactions with law enforcement. Thus, an arrest record is a comprehensive account of every instance where a person has been apprehended, held, or detained by a law enforcement agency for various offenses.

Hidalgo arrest records are primarily generated by the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. However, for arrests made within city limits, where municipal police departments are present, the respective city police department generates the arrest records. Beyond law enforcement agencies, arrest records may be found in public files maintained by other local or state agencies, such as the Hidalgo County Court Records, which the county and district clerk offices maintain.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hidalgo County?

Yes. Arrest records in Hidalgo County are considered public records under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA). This Act allows individuals to request and obtain arrest records from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office or relevant municipal police departments.

However, certain arrest records or information may be exempt from public disclosure due to legal exemptions. These include records involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, sensitive personal data, or cases that could compromise safety or law enforcement operations. Expunged records or those under a non-disclosure order are also not publicly accessible.

To access exempt arrest records, specific parties with a legitimate interest, such as law enforcement, attorneys, or the individuals named in the records, must submit formal requests and provide proper identification to the appropriate agencies.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record in Hidalgo County typically contains the following:

• Alleged offense details—such as felony, misdemeanor, or minor offenses, including circumstances; witness/victim accounts
• Booking information—arrest date/time, arresting officer, bail amount, mug shots, fingerprints, booking number
• Personal information—name, aliases, address, age, social security number, date of birth, occupation
• Physical description—height, weight, race, gender, eye color, hair color, tattoos, marks, scars, etc.

Hidalgo County Crime Rate

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) provides county-level crime statistics for the entire state, including Hidalgo County. Per the TxDPS Crime by Jurisdiction Report for 2022, Hidalgo County recorded a total of 18,308 crimes, including 28 murders, 458 rape cases, 346 robberies, 1,819 assaults, 1,926 burglaries, 12,667 larceny/theft cases, and 1,063 auto thefts.

When adjusted for population size, the crime rates per 100,000 residents in Hidalgo County for 2022 were 3.3 for murder, 51.7 for rape, 39.0 for robbery, 205.3 for assault, 217.3 for burglary, 1,429.3 for larceny, and 119.9 for auto theft. Per the report, larceny/theft was the most prevalent crime in Hidalgo County in 2022, followed by assault and auto theft.

Hidalgo County Arrest Statistics

In addition to crime statistics, the TxDPS Crime by Jurisdiction Report for 2022 included arrest statistics for Texas counties. In Hidalgo County, the report documented a total of 2,552 arrests during the year. These included 23 murders, 83 rape, 138 robbery, 595 assault, 219 burglary, 1,352 larceny/theft, and 142 auto theft. Larceny/theft cases accounted for the highest number of arrests in Hidalgo County, followed by assault and burglary.

Find Hidalgo County Arrest Records

To obtain Hidalgo County arrest and inmate records, interested parties should direct their queries to these local, state, or federal agencies.

Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and information about inmates detained in the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center. Requests for arrest records and information on inmates can be made in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

711 E. Cibolo Road
Edinburg, TX 78542
Phone: (956) 383-8114
Fax: (956) 393-6179
Email: public.info@hidalgoso.org.

Additionally, individuals can utilize the Inmate Search service to look up jail records of persons incarcerated at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center. Fees may apply to obtain copies of records from the sheriff's office. Generally, information such as the arrestee's personal information, date of arrest, booking date, requester's information, and means of identification, may be required from requesters to gain access to the arrest and inmate information they seek.

City Police Departments

The various city police departments within Hidalgo County also maintain records of arrests made within their jurisdictions. Interested parties can contact the records division of the specific city police department to request arrest records or information about inmates detained in their holding cells or those transferred to the county jail. For example, requests for this information can be directed to the Crime Records Unit of the McAllen Police Department, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm at:

1601 N. Bicentennial Boulevard
McAllen, TX 78501.
Phone: (956) 681-2000

Additionally, requests can be submitted online via the city's public information site or by mail to:

Attn: Crime Records Unit
McAllen Police Department
P.O. Box 220
McAllen, Texas, 78505-0220.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)

For records of offenders in jail in any location in Texas, inquiries can be made to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The agency offers inmate details like location and offenses and releases information via its online search tool, email, or phone.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Individuals can request their personal arrest records from the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division for a nominal fee online or by mail. Interested persons may also conduct searches through the Federal Inmate Locator for individuals arrested in Hidalgo County by the FBI.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hidalgo County

Per the provisions of the TPIA, individuals can submit public records requests to law enforcement agencies in Hidalgo County to inspect or obtain copies of arrest records. While inspecting or viewing arrest records is typically free, the sheriff's office and police departments may charge fees for providing plain or certified copies.

To access a Hidalgo County arrest record for free, interested parties can direct their queries to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office
711 El Cibolo Road
Edinburg, TX 78541
Phone: (956) 383-8114
Fax: (956) 393-6179

Alternatively, individuals can request to inspect arrest records from various municipal police departments in the county. For instance, individuals can request to inspect or view arrest records from the Edinburgh Police Department either in person at 1702 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg, TX 78539, or online through their 'public information request' page for arrests made within the city limits of Edinburgh. Similarly, to obtain arrest records held by the McAllen Police Department, requests can be submitted in person at the Crime Records Unit at 1601 N. Bicentennial Blvd., McAllen, TX 78501, or online via their Public Information Request (PIR) portal.

Note: While viewing or inspecting arrest records may be free, obtaining copies typically incurs fees.

Individuals can also utilize third-party aggregate sites to access Hidalgo County arrest records for free or upon payment of a fee. These sites aggregate public information from various government agencies, including law enforcement. However, free options generally provide limited reports, while detailed and comprehensive arrest records often require a fee.

Get Hidalgo County Criminal Records

A criminal record (also called a 'rap sheet' or 'criminal history') is an official document that lists an individual's criminal convictions and arrests. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) is the state's official custodian of criminal records.

To obtain Hidalgo County criminal records, interested individuals should utilize the TxDPS Criminal History Search system. The process involves visiting the DPS Criminal History Name Search portal, creating an account, purchasing search credits, and conducting a criminal history search with a person’s first and last name.

In addition to a name-based search, individuals can opt for a fingerprint-based criminal record search with the TxDPS. This process requires reviewing the Criminal History Information (PDF) for fingerprint searches, scheduling an appointment, and visiting a DPS FAST location in Hildago County for fingerprinting. After the fingerprinting process, the fingerprints are submitted electronically to TxDPS via FAST. This service costs $10 for fingerprinting and $15 for obtaining the criminal history record information.

Note: Per Texas Code Section 411.087, access to a person's criminal record may be limited to qualified entities. These entities include the record subject, persons with notarized authorization from the record subject, and government agencies that need the record for official duties.

Hidalgo County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While the terms "arrest record" and "criminal record" are often used interchangeably, there is a distinction between the two.

An "arrest record" is a report of the instances where an individual was arrested, detained, or held for questioning by law enforcement. This typically contains information such as the circumstances surrounding an arrest, the date and location of the arrest, the arresting agency or officer, personal information, and a physical description of the arrested person, as well as the offense(s) committed. The arresting agency, such as the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office or municipal police departments, creates and maintains arrest records in Hidalgo County.

On the other hand, a "criminal record" is an official file that offers a broader report of a person's interaction with the criminal justice system. This contains arrest records, charges and indictments, court records, conviction records, sentences, and correctional records. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) is the official custodian of criminal records in Texas.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records stay indefinitely on a person's record in Hidalgo County. No law or provision in Texas stipulates the retention duration of arrest records. However, the length of time an arrest record will stay on file in Hidalgo County may be determined by the internal retention policy of the local law enforcement agency, especially if the arrest ended in acquittal or dismissal. Generally, the only way to remove or erase an arrest record is to petition for expungement or an order of non-disclosure if the specific eligibility criteria are met.

Expunge Hidalgo County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Hidalgo County can be expunged or sealed through a non-disclosure order, subject to eligibility criteria. Expungement entirely erases the arrest records, while non-disclosure orders restrict public access while maintaining the record.

Expungement of arrest information or sealing of arrest records through a non-disclosure order in Texas is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1 of the Texas Government Code, respectively.

Per the law, the expungement of Hidalgo County arrest records hinges on meeting the eligibility criteria for expunging criminal records.

• The arrest did not result in a conviction;
• The arrested person was acquitted of the charges;
• The arrestee was pardoned by the President of the U.S. or the Governor of Texas;
• The statute of limitations for the crime has expired;
• The individual was convicted of a misdemeanor offense that is eligible for expungement.

Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria can expunge their arrest records. The process involves filing a petition for expunction with the court that has jurisdiction to expunge or seal the arrest record. Typically, a petition for expungement must include the petitioner’s name and identifying information, the offense or charge (s), the outcome of the charge, arrest information, date of acquittal (if acquitted), etc.

After receiving a petition to expunge a record, the court will review it to determine if the conditions for expungement were met. If the court decides that all requirements were met, it will grant an order of expungement. Consequently, the arrest record will be removed, erased, or deleted from the databases of local, state, and federal custodians of such records.

Meanwhile, to be eligible for a non-disclosure order, certain conditions must be met, such as an individual being convicted and placed on probation for a misdemeanor offense, completing a deferred adjudication, the misdemeanor for which the individual was convicted is not prohibited from a non-disclosure order, community supervision, not having any disqualifying criminal history, etc.

Once the criteria for a non-disclosure order are met, an individual can file a petition with the court that handled the misdemeanor case. Upon reviewing the petition for non-disclosure and finding all requirements satisfied, the court will grant the non-disclosure order, which prohibits public agencies, such as the court, law enforcement agencies, and police departments, from disclosing the individual's arrest record.

Note: Under Section 58.203 of the Texas Family Code, juvenile records are automatically sealed from public view if the juvenile completed a diversion program, the case was dismissed without adjudication, and the charges did not involve a felony.

Hidalgo County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is an order by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to arrest and detain a person suspected of committing a crime. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Chapter 15) outlines the guidelines and procedures under which arrest warrants are issued in Hidalgo County.

A judge or magistrate can only issue a Hidalgo County arrest warrant when an officer or prosecutor files a complaint and affidavit establishing sufficient probable cause. The complaint or affidavit must state why the requesting officer or prosecutor believes the defendant has committed a crime and the place and time of the alleged offense. It must also contain the signature and details of the requesting officer.

A Hidalgo County arrest warrant typically contains the defendant's name or description, the date and time of issuance of the warrant, the alleged offense, the issuing authority's signature, and the issuing court or agency (per Section 15.02 of the TCCP).

Hidalgo County Arrest Warrant Search

To check for active arrest warrants in Hidalgo County, individuals must visit the Hidalgo Sheriff's Office at 711 El Cibolo Road, Edinburg, TX 7854, or contact their local city police department. Active warrant information is only available to the warrant subject and their legal representatives upon identity verification. However, anyone may obtain copies of executed warrants provided release does not compromise an ongoing criminal justice process.

Do Hidalgo County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Hidalgo County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active and enforceable until the individual is arrested or the issuing court recalls the warrant. A court can recall or quash an arrest warrant if the charges are dismissed, the case is resolved, false claims invalidate the warrant, probable cause no longer exists, or the statute of limitations has expired. Otherwise, an issued warrant remains valid until it is executed.