Houston County Arrest Records

Houston County, Texas, arrest records refer to law enforcement archives of documents and files from all lawful detentions. An arrest record begins to exist when an individual is arrested. These records contain the details of the arrestee, the name of the arresting agency or officer, the alleged crimes, and booking details such as fingerprints. The Houston County Sheriff’s Office primarily maintains arrest records.

They are also available through other government agencies, such as the courts. Houston County court records contain arrest records with details provided in arraignment documents. Individuals detained through these arrests are held at the Houston County jail, which is managed by the Sheriff’s Office. Further arrest records can include the detainee's information, which is logged into the county jail roster. Unlike criminal records, arrest records contain details that are limited to the arrest circumstances. Thus, there is no information about court processes or convictions that makes arrest records unsuitable for proof of conviction.

Are Arrest Records Public in Houston County?

Yes, arrest records in Houston County are public documents. They are made public by the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act. These records are generally publicly accessible, provided they do not contain the restrictions listed in the Public Information Act. These restrictions include the following:

• Records that could interfere with ongoing investigations or investigations that were concluded without a conviction
• Internal records 
• Confidential information, such as juvenile records
• Details from pending litigation

Houston County Arrest Statistics

Houston County arrest statistics are collated and maintained primarily by the Sheriff’s Office. These statistics are also available online through the FBI UCR website. Over the past two years, the county sheriff’s office has executed 41 arrests for all other offenses, eight arrests for aggravated assault, and 6 arrests for simple assaults and motor vehicle theft, respectively. There were 3 arrests for burglary, and 1 arrest for larceny, and rape. The county recorded no arrests for robbery, murder, or arson.

Find Houston County Arrest Records

Houston County arrest records can be searched through the law enforcement agencies that collate and maintain them. The public can approach the Houston County Sheriff’s Office to submit records requests in person. These requests can also be sent by mail. County residents can access arrest records online through the Houston County Inmate List website, which provides access to an up-to-date county jail roster. The state also maintains a TDCJ Inmate Search website through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Houston County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Houston County arrest records refer to documents from law enforcement agencies such as the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office that contain information about arrests executed in the county. These records are limited to the details of the arrestee, the arresting officer/agency, and the particulars of the alleged offence.

In comparison, criminal records refer to an individual’s complete history of charges, convictions, and sentences. These records are similar because they can be obtained from similar organizations. However, arrest records are generally eligible for expungement, while criminal records may not be eligible if there was a conviction in the case. Arrest records are considered the starting point of criminal records, and both records are generally publicly accessible if they do not contain restricted documents.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

There are no county regulations or state laws that stipulate the time arrests will remain on your record. This means that arrests will remain on your records until they are removed. The removal or arrests from your public records is available through the court using an expunction or an order of nondisclosure. These processes are available to individuals who satisfy certain conditions, such as the arrest not leading to a conviction, the arrest was because of mistaken identity, the applicant has completed a pretrial diversion program, and more. Anyone who meets the requirements can begin the process through the court where the case was handled or in the jurisdiction where the arrest occured.

Houston County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants refer to legal orders issued by a magistrate or a judge with a directive to detain a named individual. These documents are issued to law enforcement officers when probable cause has been sufficiently proven. Arrest warrants may also be issued in situations where a crime must be prevented. There are different types of arrest warrants depending on the reason for which it is issued. They can be issued for the detention of an individual with a new criminal charge, a person who fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing, or someone who violates their parole or probation terms.

Arrest warrants are generally public documents with details such as the arrestee’s name, the arrestee’s physical description, the particulars of the charges, information about the arresting agency or officer, and the signature of a judge or magistrate. These documents must be shown to the arrestee at the point of the arrest or as soon as they are detained. Arrest warrants can be executed across jurisdictions. This means that law enforcement can collaborate to uphold the directive contained in arrest warrants.

Do Houston County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, there are no laws or procedures that provide for the expiration of Houston County arrest warrants. They are documents issued with an indefinite lifespan provided the individual named is still alive or there is no statute of limitations to the charges. While warrants do not expire, they can be recalled and cancelled by a judge or court. They may also become redundant where the statute of limitations becomes applicable.

Expunge Houston County Arrest Records

Generally, Houston County arrest records can be expunged through a court. These records can be removed from your public records through two processes: an order of nondisclosure, which seals the records, and expunction, which removes the record completely. These processes begin in similar ways, with a confirmation of your eligibility to expunge your arrest records. The requirements for being eligible include the arrest or leading to a conviction, completion of a diversion program, or the arrest was a result of mistaken identity.

Individuals who satisfy the condition for removing their arrests can obtain and submit their Petition for Expunction or a Petition for an Order of Nondisclosure to the court where the case was handed or with the Houston District Clerk’s Office. The Petition must include details of the arrest, and any required fees must be paid at the filing stage. The court will review the petition, and in certain cases, a court hearing may be scheduled with notices sent to all parties. If your order is granted, the court will issue an Order of Expunction or Order of Nondisclosure. This order will instruct all relevant agencies to either seal or destroy your arrest records.