Arlington Arrest Records

Arrests in Arlington occur when a police officer has probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. These arrests may be made with or without a warrant. Once arrested, the individual is taken to the Arlington City Jail for booking. During this process, the officer collects personal information from the arrestee and prepares an arrest report. This data is entered into the Arlington Police Department's database and shared with other relevant law enforcement agencies. It is also used to generate official Tarrant County arrest records.

Are Arlington Arrests Public Record?

Yes. The Texas Public Information Act (PIA) allows citizens to inspect or copy arrest records. Many Arlington arrest records are subject to the PIA and can be requested by members of the public. The Arlington Police Department releases arrest records online and in person during business hours. However, some arrest records are exempt from public disclosure. Any arrest records whose release will interfere with criminal detection, investigation, or prosecution, or constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, reveal a confidential source's identity, or endanger a person's life or physical safety are confidential. Similarly, arrest records of the execution of a convict or those that reveal the identity of a crime victim are not available to the public.

Arlington Crime Rate

The FBI's Crime Data Explorer (CDE) shows that about 9,976 arrests occurred in Arlington in 2023. About 6,960 of those arrested were male and 3,016 were female. Arlington Police Department recorded a 5% decrease in overall crime from 2023 to 2024.

Find Arlington Arrest Records

Members of the public can easily find Arlington arrest records at the Police Department, Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). They can visit any of these law enforcement agencies in person during business hours to obtain copies of records. However, a fee may be required before the records are released. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have online portals where individuals can find Arlington arrest records without charges. For example, the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office has an Inmate Search tool where requesters can find desired records using a name, CID, race, or sex. The office also publishes a daily booking report on its website, where residents can find arrest information of individuals currently booked in the county jail.

Free Arrest Record Search in Arlington

The Arlington Police Department provides a no-cost Jail Inmate List where individuals can conduct an arrest record search. Users should scroll through the list to find their desired records. The portal will reveal the inmate's full name, arrest location, case number, booking number, arresting agency, charge, disposition, and bail amount. Requesters can also access arrest records for free through reputable third-party databases. However, such records are usually limited, except for comprehensive arrest records, for which the user pays a small fee.

Criminal Background Check in Texas

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) allows individuals to conduct criminal fingerprint and name-based background checks. Fingerprint applicants can visit any DPS Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) locations to perform their checks. However, they must schedule an appointment online or by phone at (888) 467-2080. A fingerprint-based record check costs $15, with an additional $10 fingerprinting fee when utilizing FAST. The background check results will be mailed or emailed to the address provided by the applicant. Name-based criminal background checks can be performed online through the Criminal History Conviction Name Search portal. The search fee is $10. The DPS takes about 10 business days to process criminal background check requests.

Arlington Inmate Search

Interested persons looking for arrest records of Arlington offenders incarcerated in state prisons should contact the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The search can be conducted via the following methods:

• Online: The TDCJ has an Inmate Information Search tool where requesters can find inmate information of Arlington offenders without charges. To access the appropriate information, users will need a name, TDCJ number, gender, SID number, or race.
• Email: Record seekers can send an inmate's full name and 7-digit TDCJ number to pia@tdcj.texas.gov. If the inmate's TDCJ number is unknown, the requester can provide the exact date of birth or approximate age and county of conviction. Remember to include the inmate's name in the subject line of the email. Access to records by email is free.
• Telephone: Requests can be made by calling (844) 512-0461, (512) 406-5202, (936) 295-6371, or (800) 535-0283 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• In-person: Customers can visit any TDCJ facility during business hours to learn about the incarceration of Arlington offenders.

Arlington Police Record Lookup

The Arlington Police Department Records Services Division offers a variety of ways for residents to request police records. Most of these records are available online for free. For example, members of the public can obtain an accident report online by visiting the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System. A name or Driver License/Identification Card Number will be required to complete the search. Those searching for incident reports must use the Public Report Search portal. Users will need a case number or the date of the incident and a name to conduct the search. To find crime reports, individuals should visit the Crime Search Tool to perform a search by Police District (North, South, East, West), Beat, or crime type.

Police record requests can also be made in writing and submitted via Arlington's Online Open Records portal. Users will need to create a free account before they can access any records via the portal. Copies of police records are available in person during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The Records Services Division charges a small fee before releasing copies of records to requesters. Typically, plain copies of accident reports cost $6.00 per report while certified copies cost $8.00 per report. All other records cost $5.00. In-person requests should be made at the address below:

Arlington Police Records Unit
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center
620 West Division Street
Arlington, TX 76004-1065
Phone: (817) 459-5680
Email: PoliceRecords@ArlingtonTX.gov

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Arlington?

Arrests will stay on a person's criminal record in Arlington forever until expunged. However, arrestees can ask the Arlington Police Department for an order of nondisclosure in certain circumstances. The records will only be available to relevant law enforcement agencies if the order is granted. However, some mugshot sites and commercial databases may mirror the official record even after expungement. Individuals can find the retention schedule of some arrest records on the Texas State Library & Archives Commission (TSLAC) website. The schedule shows that jail incident reports are kept for 5 years, while bail bond records are kept for 3 years.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Arlington?

Arlington residents can restrict access to their arrest records through expungement. However, they must meet the eligibility criteria stated in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. § 55. The petitioner must complete a Petition for Expunction Form and file it with the Arlington Municipal Court. The filing fee is $100, but the fee can be waived if the petitioner seeks expunction within 30 days of acquittal. Those whose offense was not acquittal may qualify for a fee waiver based on financial status. It takes at least three months for an expunction to be finalized in Arlington.

Arlington Warrant Search

Arrest and bench warrants originated from the Arlington Municipal Court and were served by the Police Department. Residents can check their warrant status online through the warrant listing available on the Arlington Open Data Center. Alternatively, they can visit the Municipal Court and Police Department to inquire about their warrant status, which can lead to immediate arrest. Therefore, residents must be careful when making in-person requests.

Do Arlington Warrants Expire?

No. Felony and misdemeanor warrants issued in Arlington do not expire until they are served. However, the issuing judge can quash or recall warrants under certain circumstances, such as the defendant's death or prosecutorial dismissal.