Hill County Arrest Records

Arrests in Hill County occur when a peace officer has probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a criminal offense. Following the arrest, the officer takes the offender to their station for booking into the Hill County Jail. The offender's booking information and the event details are documented in a report. These booking details and the report are compiled into an arrest record and then sent to the Hill County Sheriff's Office for recordkeeping.

Arrest records are public records often overlapping with other legal documents, such as Hill County court records. Both arrest and court records are available to the public under Texas public records law. Access to these records provides valuable insights into the local criminal justice system, which are beneficial for legal or personal purposes.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hill County?

Yes. The Texas Public Information Act (PIA) allows citizens to inspect and copy arrest records of law enforcement agencies. These records can be obtained online, by phone, email, or in person at County Sheriff's Offices and City Police Departments. However, according to Texas law, these agencies will restrict public access to arrest records that are considered confidential. Generally, members of the public cannot view or obtain copies of the following records in Hill County:

• Juvenile and investigative records
• An offender's medical records
• Arrest information pertaining to a convict's execution
• Information on an arresting officer's family members
• Information that reveals the identity of a crime victim
• A peace officer's pictures whose release would endanger the officer's life or physical safety.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Below are some standard information available to members of the public in an arrest record maintained by Hill County law enforcement agencies:

• Arrest number
• Arrest date and time
• Offense or charge
• The location of the arrest
• The name of the arresting officer or agency

Hill County Arrest Statistics

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) publicly publishes arrest statistics on its website. As of 2023, law enforcement agencies in Hill County made approximately 109 arrests, marking an increase from the previous year. Most arrests were for larceny, aggravated assault, and burglary.

Find Hill County Arrest Records

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) provides arrest records through multiple channels: online, by phone, by email, or in person at its facilities statewide. The TDCJ's Inmate Information Search tool allows the public to retrieve basic arrest information free of charge. Users can search by the offender's last name, first name, TDCJ number, SID number, gender, or race.

To submit a request by email, send the inmate's full name and 7-digit TDCJ number to pia@tdcj.texas.gov. If the TDCJ number is unknown, include the inmate's exact date of birth or approximate age and the county of conviction. When emailing, put the inmate's name in the subject line.

Phone requests can be made Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the following numbers:

• (844) 512-0461 (Board of Pardons and Paroles status line)
• (512) 406-5202 (Parole Division status line in Austin; provide TDCJ or SID# or date of birth)
• (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283 (Inmate Locator/General Information Line in Huntsville)

Federal law enforcement agencies also provide Hill County arrest information upon request. Some, like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), offer records online, by mail, or in person. Others, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), only release arrest records to the individual named on the record.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hill County

Persons seeking free arrest records can contact the Hill County Sheriff's Office by phone at (254) 582-5313 Ext 205 or by email at slgarcia@co.hill.tx.us. The Sheriff's Office also works with a third-party vendor to provide free online access to arrest records. Users generally need to supply a name, ID number, or case number to search.

In addition, various third-party websites allow users to view basic arrest information at no cost by entering a name or arrest date. However, more detailed arrest reports or comprehensive records may require a fee.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Most arrests remain on a person's record indefinitely. However, Texas law allows for the removal of certain arrests via expungement under specific circumstances. Additionally, arrests not classified as permanent have an expiration date as outlined in the Texas State Library & Archives Commission (TSLAC) Retention Schedule. For instance, offense records for first-degree or capital felonies that are cleared or dismissed are retained for 50 years, whereas records for second- and third-degree felonies are kept for 10 years.

Expunge Hill County Arrest Records

Before starting the expungement process in Hill County, individuals should consult Tex. Code Crim. Proc. § 55 to confirm eligibility. Once eligibility is confirmed, a Petition for Expunction can be filed with the Hill County District Court Clerk, requesting that the court issue an Order for Expunction. The Clerk does not charge a fee to expunge arrests that resulted in an acquittal; however, expunging other arrest cases costs $350, as stated in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. § 102.006.

After the petition is filed, the Clerk will schedule a hearing and notify all relevant law enforcement agencies maintaining the petitioner's arrest records. If the judge approves the petition, they will sign the expungement order and forward it to those agencies to remove the petitioner's arrest records.

Hill County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are written orders by magistrates directing peace officers to arrest individuals suspected of committing crimes (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. § 15.01). These warrants are issued in the name of the state and must include the following:

• The accused person's name or a reasonable description if the name is unknown
• The crime committed by the accused
• The magistrate's signature and official title

An arrest warrant issued by a Hill County Court Clerk or magistrate can be executed in any county within Texas. However, a warrant issued by the mayor of an incorporated city or town in Hill County cannot be executed in another county unless specific requirements are met. Once the warrant is executed, the arresting officer must immediately bring the defendant before the issuing magistrate.

Do Hill County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Hill County, arrest warrants issued by magistrates do not have expiration dates. They remain valid until the person named in the warrant is arrested or the magistrate formally dismisses them. Even if older warrants are not actively pursued, individuals with outstanding warrants are encouraged to address them immediately.