Howard County Arrest Records

Howard County arrest records are official details of the detention of individuals by the Howard County Sheriff's Office, Big Spring Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies within the county. These documents explain the circumstances of arrests and the conditions for release.

Articles 14 & 15 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure mandate peace officers to arrest offenders who commit felonies against the public. Peace officers will also arrest individuals upon the instructions of judges and magistrates. After an arrest, Howard County law enforcement creates arrest records as evidence. These documents may provide information if the arrests result in criminal trials and become part of Howard County court records.

After arrests, Howard County law enforcement agencies house arrestees at the Howard County Detention Center. This correctional facility holds pre-trial inmates and individuals serving various jail sentences.

Are Arrest Records Public in Howard County?

According to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), Howard County arrest records are publicly accessible. Residents and other interested individuals may access arrest records through the Howard County Sheriff's Office and other government agencies.

Nevertheless, for privacy and the integrity of investigations, the TPIA does not grant public access to all Howard County arrest records. For instance, unauthorized individuals cannot access Howard County arrest records that relate to:

• Minors
• Sealed or expunged records
• Active criminal investigations
• Medical or mental health histories
• Confidential informant and witness details
• Information about victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse
• Personal identifiers, including home addresses, Social Security Numbers, and driver's license information.

Information seekers may reach out to the Howard County Sheriff's Office at:

3613 W. Highway 80,
Big Spring,
TX 79720
Phone: (432) 264-2231
Fax: (432) 264-9117
Email: drestelli@howardcountytx.gov

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1149,
Big Spring,
TX 79721.

Howard County Arrest Statistics

According to data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were 220 arrests in Howard County in 2023. This comprises 100 arrests for larcenies, 72 for aggravated assault, and 26 for burglary. Additionally, there were 11 arrests for auto theft, five arrests each for murder and robbery, and one arrest for arson.

Furthermore, FBI arrest records indicate that from January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2025, the Big Spring Police Department and the Howard County Sheriff's Office reported 1,222 arrests to the Uniform Crime Reporting database. During this period, there were 179 arrests for disorderly conduct, 170 for drug-related offenses, 132 for simple assaults, and 101 for larceny crimes. Other reported arrests include 72 for aggravated assault, 45 for vandalism, and 38 each for DUI offenses and weapon law violations.

Find Howard County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking access to Howard County arrest records should submit public access requests to the Howard County Sheriff's Office. For arrests within the Big Spring city limits, call, mail, or visit the Big Spring Police Department at:

3613 W. Highway 80,
Big Spring,
TX 79720
Phone: (432) 264-2559
Fax: (432) 264-7593

Alternatively, log in to the Howard County Judicial and Jail Records Search Portal and access arrest records through inmate and criminal case records. Furthermore, record seekers may call, fax, mail, or visit the Howard County District Clerk's Office during work hours and access arrest records through criminal case files at:

312 Scurry,
Big Spring,
Texas 79721
Phone: (432) 264-2223
Fax: (432) 264-2256

Howard County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Howard County arrest and criminal records are complementary documents that play different roles. These documents are crucial in law and public safety but differ in several aspects.

Howard County arrest records are law enforcement documents that detail the apprehension and detention of individuals for offenses. These documents contain personal information, booking details, the circumstances surrounding arrests, and terms for releasing the detainees.

In Howard County and the rest of the U.S., an arrest record does not signify guilt or innocence of a crime. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of the accused to be presumed innocent until the court says otherwise. Additionally, arrest records (including those of Howard County) may not significantly impact their owners unless they result in criminal convictions.

By comparison, Howard County criminal records are compilations of law enforcement, court, and incarceration documents that provide more thorough details of an individual's interaction with the Howard County criminal justice system.

In contrast to arrest records, Howard County criminal records confirm that the courts find their owners guilty of criminal activity. Unlike arrest records, Howard County criminal records often affect job, housing, and relationship opportunities. Also, criminal records may lead to social stigmatization.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information may stay permanently on records if the courts do not seal or expunge it. In Howard County and other parts of Texas, Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures and Section 411.071 of the Texas Government Code grant first-time offenders for misdemeanors the right to petition for orders of nondisclosure or expunction of their arrest records. To be eligible for an order of nondisclosure or expunction, a Howard County arrest record must fulfill the following conditions:

Order of nondisclosure (sealing of Howard County arrest records)

The arrest records must be for a non-violent misdemeanor, and the owner of the record must complete the sentence for the offense or deferred adjudication and observe the applicable waiting period (depending on the offense, this varies from 180 days to 5 years)

Expunction of Howard County arrest records

A Howard County arrest record may be eligible for expungement if:

• There were no charges within the statute of limitations
• The arrest results in a dismissal or acquittal
• The owner of the arrest record receives a state pardon
• The individual completes a pre-trial program.

Howard County Arrest Warrants

In Howard County, judges and magistrates issue arrest warrants when law enforcement and prosecutors provide evidence and show that individuals have committed crimes. Howard County courts also issue arrest warrants for violation of parole or probation, grand jury indictment, and disregard for court orders.
Howard County arrest warrants contain information such as:

• The names and physical descriptions of the wanted persons
• Charges and sections of Texas laws allegedly violated
• Dates, times, and locations of issuance
• Statements by the judges/magistrates authorizing law enforcement to arrest the designated individuals
• Instructions on the execution of the warrants
• Names and signatures of the authorizing judges/magistrates.

Do Howard County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Howard and other Texas counties, arrest warrants remain enforceable until the courts recall or revoke them or law enforcement apprehends the wanted individuals. However, the statute of limitations may influence the issuing of arrest warrants in Howard County. For offenses with a statute of limitations, prosecutors must initiate trials within the stipulated period. Failure to do so will result in dismissal, and the court will not issue arrest warrants. Additionally, violation of constitutional rights, resolution of the underlying case, lack of jurisdiction, clerical errors, and absence of probable cause may void Howard County arrest warrants.

Expunge Howard County Arrest Records

The following steps outline the procedures for sealing and expunging Howard County arrest records:

Sealing of arrest records in Howard County (order of nondisclosure)

• File a petition for nondisclosure at the Howard County 118th District Court (for felonies) or the Howard County Court (for misdemeanors). The petition for nondisclosure orders must include arrest details (requesters may obtain copies of their criminal histories through the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS)) and court disposition documents from the Howard County Clerk's Office to prove completion of their sentences.
• Attend a court hearing where the judge will review the petition and issue a nondisclosure order if successful.
• Notify all relevant agencies of the nondisclosure order (for instance, the arresting agency, the Howard County Sheriff's Office, and the TDPS)

Expunction of Howard County arrest records

• File a petition at the Howard County 118th District Court; this should include details of the arrest and case outcome.
• Attend a court hearing where the judge reviews the application to determine its merit. The judge will issue an expunction order if the petition fulfills the necessary criteria.
• Make copies of the expunction order and send them to all relevant agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, police departments, and jails, to update their databases.