Austin Arrest Records

Arrest records in Austin document when and why law enforcement takes custody of individuals suspected of criminal activities. These records serve as the official account of the charges, booking details, and initial custody status. Arrest records are sometimes a crucial component of the broader Texas Court Records system and are frequently utilized in legal background checks and other public safety matters.

Arrests in Austin occur when law enforcement officers establish probable cause that an individual has committed a crime, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Austin arrest records are generated by the Austin Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff's Office. They play a crucial role in the Texas criminal justice system, as they typically mark a phase of the legal process that becomes documented in Texas Court Records. Arrestees are generally booked and held at the Travis County Jail and the Travis County Correctional Complex.

Are Arrest Records Public in Austin?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, arrest records in Austin are generally considered public information. Anyone, whether individuals, businesses, or organizations, may request copies of the record without stating a reason. However, specific categories of arrest-related information are exempt from disclosure and may only be accessed by eligible persons or under particular circumstances. Generally, the following arrest records are public records in Austin:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Sealed or expunged arrest records
• Ongoing investigations that could interfere with active law enforcement proceedings, such as witness statements or confidential investigative techniques
• Personal identifying information on arrest records, such as home addresses and medical information
• Crime victims information

Public access to Austin arrest records is available at:

Austin Police Department
715 East 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701

Austin Arrest Statistics

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program compiles arrest totals nationwide, including Austin. According to the data, in 2023, the Austin Police Department reported 20,059 arrests. Male arrests by law enforcement officers accounted for 15,620, while female arrests comprised 4,439. The 30-34 age group accounts for the most arrests, with 2,773 and 801 arrests for males and females, respectively. In Austin, simple assault accounts for the most arrests made in the city, with about 4,160 arrests.

Find Austin Arrest Records

The Travis County Sheriff's Office maintains an up-to-date roster of all individuals incarcerated at the Travis County Jail located at:

Travis County Sheriff's Office
500 West 10th Street
Austin, TX 78701

Additionally, searchers may find Austin arrest records using the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search tool, which lists individuals incarcerated in state prisons within the city. Lastly, suppose the individual arrested in Austin is convicted of a federal crime and sent to a federal prison. In that case, researchers may use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator to find the individual.

Austin Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest and criminal records serve related but distinct purposes in the criminal justice system. An arrest record documents when law enforcement takes an individual into custody based on probable cause or a warrant. An arrest record indicates that a person was detained, but it does not prove guilt or result in a conviction. Arrest records typically include:

• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• Name of the arresting agency and office
• Alleged offense or statute violated
• Booking details

On the other hand, criminal records are comprehensive documents reflecting the outcome of a criminal proceeding in court. Criminal records are compiled over time and contain the following:

• All arrests, including those that did not lead to a conviction
• Court filings
• Case outcomes
• Sentencing details
• Deferred adjudications

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Under Texas law, arrest records remain part of a person's criminal-history file indefinitely unless the individual takes affirmative steps to remove or seal them. Arrest records are stored with the agency that made the arrest, appear in state criminal history reports, and remain publicly visible unless they are expunged or sealed.

Arrest records qualify for expunction, removed from all governmental databases as if it never existed, under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Act 55.01, if no conviction resulted from the arrest, the statute of limitations has passed, and no pending charges or court-ordered supervision. The waiting period for expunction is 180 days for Class C misdemeanors, one year after arrest for Class A or B misdemeanors, and three years after a felony arrest, provided no other felony charges arise.

If the affected person completed deferred adjudication or the case was dismissed, they may request an order that limits who may see their record, effectively sealing the arrest record. There is a 5-year waiting period after discharge and dismissal for felonies and a 2-year waiting period for qualifying misdemeanor arrests. All other misdemeanors qualify for sealing immediately upon dismissal and discharge. Eligibility for sealing an arrest record is contingent on completing community supervision without further convictions or new pending charges during the waiting period.

Austin Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Austin is a court-issued document authorizing law enforcement to take a named individual into custody. Under Texas law, warrants ensure that arrests occur only when a neutral magistrate, typically a judge or justice of the peace, has reviewed sworn evidence from law enforcement officers and determined that there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.

An arrest warrant issued in Austin typically includes the suspect's full name, charges, the issuing judge's signature, bail amount, and instructions authorizing any peace officer in Travis County to execute the arrest.

In Austin, the following circumstances necessitate an arrest warrant:

• Felony charges where no arrest occurred at the crime scene
• Misdemeanor warrants for Class C misdemeanors and above, where the suspect cannot be immediately located
• Violation of court order

Do Austin Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Austin do not expire on their own and remain active until they are served, recalled by the issuing court, or quashed through a legal motion. Once a judge signs an arrest warrant, it authorizes any peace officer in Travis County to arrest the named individual at any time, day or night, without further court action.

Expunge Austin Arrest Records

Interested individuals may permanently remove or expunge certain arrest records, ensuring they no longer appear on public or private background checks. They may be eligible to petition the court for the expunction of arrest records if all of the following apply:

• No conviction
• The charges were dismissed
• The waiting period has passed
• No other charges arising from the same event

To expunge arrest records, obtain the certified court documents showing the final disposition. Prepare and file a petition for expunction in the District Court where the case was heard. Be sure to name all relevant agencies that hold the record. Deliver a copy of the petition to the district attorney's office and each law enforcement agency involved.

The judge reviews their petition and may decide if a hearing is required. If the judge grants relief, they sign an expunction order directing all named entities to destroy or seal the records within 90 days. Once expunged, they may legally deny the arrest ever occurred.