Amarillo Arrest Records

In Amarillo, Texas, peace officers and private citizens are permitted by law to arrest individuals when they commit a crime or there is reasonable cause to believe they committed it. Offenders arrested in Amarillo are typically detained at the Potter County Detention Center, operated by the sheriff's office.

Amarillo arrest records are documents that detail arrests in the city, generated by the agencies responsible for making the arrests, such as the Amarillo Police Department. The police department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for generating arrest records, maintaining them, and responding to record requests. Amarillo arrest records may also be included in Potter County Arrest Records, court records and criminal histories maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Are Arrest Records Public in Amarillo?

The Texas Public Information Act classifies Amarillo arrest records as public information open to inspection and copying by the public. The act instructs the custodians of such documents to make them available for a reasonable fee upon receiving a public record request unless the record contains information exempted from disclosure under the act.

Examples of records and information exempted from public release under the Public Information Act include the following:

• Records that would identify confidential informants or undercover officers for law enforcement
• Any information that would identify or endanger the victim of a crime
• Any information that would negatively affect the detection, investigation, or prosecution of a crime
• Arrest records of minors and juveniles
• Any records that have been expunged or sealed

Interested persons may visit the Amarillo Police Department located at:

Amarillo Police Department
200 SE 3rd Ave
Amarillo, TX 79101

Amarillo Arrest Statistics

The Amarillo Police Department collects and submits crime data, including arrest statistics, to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting database. According to the information available on the Crime Data Explorer, the Amarillo Police Department reported a total of 4269 arrests in 2023. The data showed 3179 of the arrestees were male and 1090 were female. Breaking down the data by specific crimes showed 820 arrests for simple assaults, 417 arrests for DUI offenses, 384 arrests for drugs/narcotics offenses, 273 arrests for larceny, 204 arrests for aggravated assaults, 87 arrests for weapons violations, 77 arrests for motor vehicle theft, 67 arrests for burglary, 53 arrests for robbery, 44 arrests for vandalism, 38 arrests for liquor law violations, 16 arrests for prostitution, nine arrests for arson, and eight arrests for homicide.

Suspects arrested by the Amarillo Police Department are typically booked and detained at the:

Potter County Detention Center
13100 NE 29th Avenue
Amarillo, TX 79111

Find Amarillo Arrest Records

Interested parties may locate Amarillo arrest records by contacting the Amarillo Police Department. Record seekers may visit the headquarters in person or call using the contact details provided below:

Amarillo Police Department
200 SE 3rd Ave
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: (806) 378-3038

The Potter County Sheriff operates the Potter County Detention Center, which serves as the main detention center for inmates arrested in Amarillo. Record seekers may obtain inmate information by calling the sheriff's office at (806) 379-2900 or the detention center directly at (806) 335-4100. Arrest and Inmate information may also be found online using the Jail Roster and Booking Report available on the Potter County Sheriff's website.

Amarillo Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Amarillo arrest and criminal records are legal documents that show an individual's interaction with law enforcement. These records are similar but differ in how extensive they are and what they contain. They also differ in their purpose; for example, an arrest record is not proof of guilt but provides all the details about an individual's arrests. Information contained within an arrest record includes the arrestee's name, physical descriptions, biometrics such as mugshots and fingerprints, crimes committed, charges filed, arresting agency, date and location of the arrest, and information collected during booking.

On the other hand, a criminal record is much more comprehensive and contains records from several sources, including arrest records. Criminal records are also proof of guilt and are only generated when the offender goes through the full legal system. A criminal record will generally include arrest records and court records, including case details, verdict, and sentencing details. It will also contain details of jail time, prison sentences, and supervision, such as community service, probation, and parole.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Amarillo?

In Amarillo, arrests will remain permanently on an individual's records unless they take the necessary steps to remove them. Expungement/Expunction and sealing are legal processes the Texas government provides for qualified applicants to remove a particular offense from their record. While expunction destroys a record, sealing restricts the records from public access.

Some records eligible to be expunged in Amarillo, Texas, include non-conviction arrests where no charges were filed, the case was dismissed, or acquitted, juvenile misdemeanors or alcohol related offenses, and convictions for illegal weapon carrying. Applicants for sealing typically must complete all sentences and court requirements and may be required to complete a waiting period from 6 months to 3 years, depending on the severity of the offense.

Amarillo Arrest Warrants

Chapter 15 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure defines an arrest warrant as a written order issued by a judicial officer, such as a magistrate, instructing peace officers or another named party to arrest an individual accused of a crime. It also orders the suspect to be brought before the court to be dealt with according to the law.

A judicial officer typically must receive a complaint in an affidavit made before the county magistrate, judge, district, or county prosecutor for a warrant to be issued. The complaint typically must name the offender, state the crime, and show probable cause that the crime was committed by the accused. The judicial officer will issue the arrest warrant if they are satisfied with the evidence in the complaint.

Amarillo arrest warrants will generally contain the following:

• The warrant typically must be issued in the name of the State of Texas.
• It typically must show the date and location where it was issued.
• The warrant typically includes the accused's name or a reasonable description by which they may be identified.
• It typically states that the accused is suspected of a crime and lists the crime and the statute it violates.
• It typically must command peace officers to arrest the accused and bring them before the issuing court.
• It typically must have the title and signature of the issuing judicial officer.

Do Amarillo Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Amarillo do not expire; these warrants are in effect until resolved by the suspect's arrest, surrender, or death. While a statute of limitations may affect the prosecution of the crime, it does not affect the validity of an arrest warrant. Under certain circumstances, the issuing court may cancel or recall a warrant; this requires a successful petition to the court showing the warrant was unnecessary or in error.

Expunge Amarillo Arrest Records

Expunging an Amarillo record requires filing a Petition for Expungement/Expunction. The petition is typically filed at the municipal or county court where the applicant was charged. To qualify, the applicant normally must meet specific criteria and complete a waiting period depending on the type and severity of the offense to be sealed.

The criteria and waiting periods required to expunge Amarillo, Texas records include the following:

• The offense to be expunged typically must be a non-conviction arrest where the charges were dismissed, the petitioner was acquitted, or the prosecution filed no charges.
• The applicant typically must have completed all court requirements, including fees, fines, restitution, and court-ordered supervision.
• The applicant received a full pardon.
• Waiting periods include the following. 180 days for Class C misdemeanors, 1 year waiting period for Class A and B misdemeanors, and 3 years for certain eligible felonies.

Waiting period may be reduced under certain conditions, including arrests caused by false identity, clerical errors, and a lack of probable cause.

Petitions to expunge Amarillo arrest records typically must be filed with the clerk of the district court where the case was heard.

Potter County District Court Clerk
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 1B
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2246

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9570
Amarillo, TX 79105