Taylor County Arrest Records

According to the provisions of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, arrests may be effected by a peace officer or by state citizens provided there is justifiable cause for the apprehension. Arrests may be carried out with or without a warrant if it has been verifiably determined that the arrestee is involved in the planning and/or execution of a crime. In Taylor County, arrestees are held in the county detention center, where they are taken through a booking process that involves collecting details of the alleged crime, the circumstances surrounding the apprehension, and the detainee's personal information. The information collated in this process is considered part of Taylor County Arrest Records.

In Taylor County, arrest records are not considered proof of the arrestee's guilt but are a significant part of the judicial process notwithstanding. They are held by law enforcement agencies at state and county level and are featured within Taylor county court records when relevant to a judicial proceeding.

Records custodians and courts in Taylor County provide arrest records to various parties, including attorneys, courts, the media, and members of the public. These records are frequently utilized for investigative purposes, administrative tasks, or research.

Are Arrest Records Public in Taylor County?

Yes, most arrest records in Taylor County are public. The Texas Public Information Act (PIA), outlined in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, mandates that arrest records created and maintained by government-operated agencies be accessible to the public. However, there are exceptions where certain records may be withheld to protect privacy or the integrity of investigations.

The following types of records are commonly exempt from public disclosure in Taylor County:

• Information related to active criminal investigations if their disclosure compromises the case, endangers witnesses or victims, or reveals confidential informants.
• Juvenile records unless said juvenile is charged with a serious offense or released by court order.
• Sealed or Expunged Records
• Case information that may infringe on an individual's right to privacy
• Information classified for law enforcement purposes.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Publicly accessible arrest records in Taylor County generally include the following details:

• Full name of the arrestee, including any known aliases
• Booking number and citation information
• Mugshot (photograph taken at the time of the arrest)
• Gender, race, and physical descriptors, including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks like tattoos or scars
• Specific details of the arrest, including the date, time, and location of the incident
• The alleged offenses that led to the arrest
• Court-related information

Taylor County Crime Rate

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety's Crime in Texas Report, Taylor County reported a crime rate of 3,575.1 per 100,000 residents in 2023. This reflects a 9.45% decline from the 2022 report of 3949 per 100,000 residents. Incidents of the county's index crimes were reported as follows:

• Larceny-Theft: 1,757 incidents (-10.40% from 2022)
• Assault (Aggravated and Simple): 2,856 incidents (-5.56% from 2022)
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 167 incidents (-20.85% from 2022)
• Robbery: 63 incidents (-23.17% from 2022)
• Rape: 131 incidents (+3.97% from 2022)
• Manslaughter by Negligence: 1 Incident (-87.50% from 2022)
• Burglary: 453 Incidents (-6.02% from 2022)

Find Taylor County Arrest Records

Residents and members of the public can access Taylor County arrest records using various online resources or by contacting public agencies responsible for maintaining these records. Arrest records for individuals apprehended in Taylor County may be housed in county detention facilities or in state or federal prisons.

Law Enforcement Agencies

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office manages the Taylor County Detention Center, where individuals arrested within the county are typically processed and held. The Sheriff's Office processes requests for arrest records in person or via mail. A Public Information Act request can be submitted to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office. Requests can be submitted to:

Taylor County Sheriff's Office
Law Enforcement Center
450 Pecan St.
Abilene, TX 79602
Fax: (325) 672-8066

In addition to the Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments within Taylor County, such as the Abilene Police Department, maintain arrest records for individuals apprehended within their jurisdiction. Many local departments, including the Abilene PD, offer online resources where members of the public can search for recent arrests or inmates currently held in city detention centers.

Court Records

Court records related to criminal cases in Taylor County may also provide insight into an individual's arrest. Depending on the charges, these records may be accessed through the Taylor County District Clerk's Office or County Clerk's Office. Each office maintains records related to specific categories of criminal cases.

State-Agencies

Individuals arrested in Taylor County but currently held in state correctional facilities can be located through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's (TDCJ) online inmate search tool. This resource allows searchers to access information about inmates, including their TDCJ number, housing facility, offense type, and sentencing details. While this tool provides critical information about an inmate's status, individuals seeking additional details about an arrest may need to file a Public Information Act request with the TDCJ under Texas Government Code Chapter 552.

The Texas DPS offers a Computerized Criminal History System (CCH), which provides access to arrest and conviction records for Class B misdemeanors and higher. The CCH database is available to the public, although searchers must create an account and purchase search credits to access the records. The DPS criminal history system is often used by employers, government agencies, and members of the public for background checks and to view case dispositions.

Federal Search Options

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons offers an online inmate locator tool that the public can use to find individuals held in federal facilities. Although this tool helps in identifying inmates, it does not provide detailed information about the arrest itself. For example, someone looking for an individual housed in a federal facility, such as the FMC Fort Worth, can find basic information on their incarceration. To obtain detailed arrest records, members of the public may need to file a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Free Arrest Record Search in Taylor County

Several free resources are available for those seeking to find arrest records in Taylor County:

• The U.S. Bureau of Prisons inmate search tool
• The Texas Department of Criminal Justice online inmate locator
• The Taylor County Sheriff's Office inmate search portal
• Police department websites that offer inmate locators or arrest records, such as the Abilene Police Department

Get Taylor County Criminal Records

In addition to arrest records, individuals may want to obtain comprehensive criminal records. Criminal records include details of arrests, charges, convictions, and sentencing information. The DPS maintains a Criminal History Name Search database, which allows individuals and entities to request criminal records for a fee. The DPS also provides fingerprint-based background checks for entities such as nursing homes, child-care providers, and government agencies.

The District Clerk also offers felony background checks for offenses that occurred within Taylor County. The cost of the service is $5, with an additional fee for copies of court documents.

Taylor County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records provide details about specific incidents where law enforcement apprehended an individual, including booking information, charges, and release conditions. These records do not imply guilt, as charges may be dismissed, or the individual may be acquitted.

Criminal records, on the other hand, offer a broader view of an individual's interactions with the justice system, including arrest information, charges, convictions, and sentences. These records are often used in background checks and are commonly referred to as criminal history reports or rap sheets.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Taylor County, as in the rest of Texas, arrest records generally remain on an individual's criminal history indefinitely unless specific legal steps are taken to have them removed. Under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, individuals may petition the court for an expunction (or expungement) to have their arrest records erased if they meet certain eligibility criteria.

Expunge Taylor County Arrest Records

Texas law provides specific conditions under which an individual can have their arrest records expunged. Expunctions are available only under the following circumstances:

• Charges were dismissed without a finding of guilt.
• The individual was acquitted at trial.
• The individual was pardoned based on actual innocence.
• The person was convicted but later found to be innocent.
• The conviction was overturned on appeal, and the case was dismissed.
• The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program, and the case was dismissed.
• The individual was arrested but never charged, and the statute of limitations has passed.

Once granted, expunged records are deleted from public records, meaning law enforcement agencies, courts, and other entities will no longer have access to those details. However, not all criminal cases qualify for expunction, and individuals interested in pursuing this legal remedy should consult an attorney or visit the Taylor County District Clerk's Office for more information on their specific case.

Expunction petitions in Taylor County are generally filed in the Taylor County District Court or County Court, depending on the severity of the offense. Petitions related to felonies must be filed in District Court, while misdemeanors can be handled by the County Court. For minor offenses that are not eligible for jail time, petitions can also be filed in the Justice of the Peace Court or Municipal Court.

While Texas law generally does not impose a strict deadline for filing an expunction petition, there are exceptions:

If the individual was convicted but later pardoned, they have 30 days from the date of the pardon to file the expunction petition. If the individual was acquitted at trial, the petition must be filed no later than 30 days after the acquittal.

If the individual completed a pre-trial diversion program, the petition for expunction must be filed after the case is formally dismissed by the court.

Content of the Expunction Petition

A proper petition for expunction in Taylor County must include several key details:

• The petitioner's full name, date of birth, driver's license number, Social Security number, and address at the time of the arrest.
• The date and location of the arrest.
• The specific offense charged and the date the charges were filed.
• The arresting agency.
• The case number and the outcome of the case, such as a dismissal, acquittal, or pardon.
• A statement explaining the legal grounds for expunction under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
• A copy of the individual's criminal history report.
• Any additional supporting documents, such as court orders or notices of dismissal.

Taylor County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Taylor County are official documents issued by a judge or magistrate directing law enforcement officers to apprehend an individual suspected of committing a crime. Warrants are typically issued after a law enforcement officer or prosecutor submits an affidavit showing probable cause that the individual has committed an offense. Warrants may also be issued for individuals who fail to appear in court, violate probation, or fail to pay court-ordered fines.

A typical arrest warrant in Taylor County contains:

• The suspect's name and any aliases.
• A physical description of the individual.
• The offense for which they are being sought.
• The date the warrant was issued.
• The judge's signature.

Taylor County Arrest Warrant Search

Members of the public can verify the existence of an active arrest warrant by utilizing several resources within Taylor County:

• The Taylor County Sheriff's Office provides information about arrest warrants and the county's most wanted individuals. However, they do not offer direct access to arrest warrant details over the phone. Instead, individuals can consult an attorney or licensed bail bondsman to obtain information about an outstanding warrant.
• Local police departments, such as the Abilene Police Department, maintain active warrant lists. These lists can often be accessed online or by visiting the police department in person.

For individuals concerned about a potential warrant for their arrest, they can surrender voluntarily to law enforcement to avoid further legal complications.

Do Taylor County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Taylor County do not have an expiration date. Warrants remain active until:

• The individual is apprehended by law enforcement.
• A judge recalls or quashes the warrant.
• The individual voluntarily turns themselves in to resolve the case.

Since warrants do not expire, it is important for individuals with outstanding warrants to address the issue promptly, as failure to do so could lead to arrest at any time.