Walker County Arrest Records

According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 15.22, an arrest occurs when an individual is placed under restraint or taken into custody by an officer, an individual executing a warrant, or one doing so without a warrant.

Law enforcement officials in Walker County will take someone into custody when they have reasonable grounds to suspect a crime has occurred. This likely cause may arise from observing a crime, possessing a warrant, or obtaining trustworthy information regarding a crime.

The agency making the arrest, which could be the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, a city police department, or the Texas Department of Public Safety, is tasked with creating arrest records. These documents outline the apprehension's who, what, when, and where, featuring the arrestee's name, charges, and the officer who made the arrest.

Arrest records are an important component of the criminal justice system. They can be utilized in legal proceedings, bail hearings, and pre-trial inquiries. Furthermore, arrest records may be associated with Walker County Court Records, which could provide additional information about the case, such as indictments or charges brought by the prosecutor, arraignments, and case outcomes.

Are Arrest Records Public in Walker County?

Yes, arrest records in Walker County are typically considered public records. The Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) requires that public agencies provide access to public records for inspection and copying. This includes arrest records, which are usually kept by law enforcement organizations such as the Walker County Sheriff's Office.

There are, however, some exceptions. Section 552.108 of the Texas Government Code provides that certain parts of arrest records, including details that might jeopardize an active investigation or violate victims' privacy, may be excluded from public access. Furthermore, arrest records involving juveniles are generally kept confidential.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Walker County, Public arrest records typically comprise the following information:

• Suspect's Details: Complete name, date of birth, residence, and a physical profile comprising height, weight, hair color, and eye color.
• Arrest Information: Date and time the arrest occurred, place, the agency involved, and the name of the arresting officer.
• Charges: Particular criminal allegations made against the person.
• Booking Details: Reservation number, booking date, and booking time.

Walker County Arrest Statistics

The Crime Records Reports and Statistical Information published by the Texas Department of Public Safety include incidents of crime, arrest, and conviction statistics. According to the 2022 crime report, Walker County recorded 2,590 arrests. The most frequent arrests were related to prohibited substances or items in correctional or civil facilities, totaling 275 arrests (10.6%). Other common offenses included possession of marijuana under 2 ounces with 170 arrests (6.5%) and assault on a public servant with 145 arrests (5.6%).

Find Walker County Arrest Records

Residents of Walker County and others can obtain arrest records via various state and federal resources like the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This law enforcement agency has a centralized Criminal History Search portal, which is an important tool for searching arrest records in the state. The DPS gathers arrest data in its Computerized Criminal History System, which includes conviction records and specifics on offenses categorized as Class B misdemeanors or above.

Interested persons may also obtain arrest information by contacting the Sheriff’s Office.

Walker County Sheriff’s Office
717 FM 2821 Road West
Huntsville, TX 77320
Phone: (936) 435-2400
Fax: (936) 435-2440
Email: sheriff@co.walker.tx.us.

Free Arrest Record Search in Walker County

Numerous third-party sites gather publicly accessible arrest records from various law enforcement agencies. These platforms provide essential details, like recent arrest logs, for free. However, accessing comprehensive records may attract a fee. Furthermore, because third-party websites are not affiliated with the government, there is no guarantee of the completeness or availability of arrest records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Walker County, arrest records can permanently remain on a person's record. While retention schedules apply to arrest reports held by law enforcement entities like sheriff's offices and local police departments, they do not apply to arrest records maintained by courts or the Texas Department of Public Safety. To completely remove arrest records, people typically must go through a legal process to have them sealed or wiped out.

Expunge Walker County Arrest Records

In Walker County, Texas, expungement can limit public access to arrest records, rendering them virtually invisible during background checks. As per the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01, people may be eligible for expungement if they satisfy one of these criteria:

• Acquittal: The person was found not guilty of all allegations.
• Dismissal: The case was dismissed without a guilty verdict, typically because of insufficient evidence or the successful completion of a diversion program.
• Pardon or Relief Based on Innocence: The individual was granted a pardon or other assistance because of their innocence.
• Expired Statute of Limitations: The claimed offense's statute of limitations passed without any charges being filed.
• Inaccurate Identifying Information: The arrest occurred due to a clerical error or mistaken identity.

To initiate the expungement process, the individual must submit a petition to the court where the case was handled. The court will review the petition and assess whether the record meets the requirements for expungement, taking into account the specifics of the case and available evidence.

It is crucial to understand that expungement does not fully remove the arrest record from every database. While the record is no longer accessible to the public, some law enforcement agencies and government entities may retain access for designated reasons.

Walker County Arrest Warrants

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 15.01 defines an arrest warrant in Walker County as a legal document issued by a magistrate, such as a judge or justice of the peace, authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest a specific individual. This written order commands the officer to take the accused into custody to face charges related to a criminal offense.

Arrest warrants in Walker County are issued by a magistrate when there is probable cause to believe a person has committed a felony or misdemeanor, failed to comply with a court order, or failed to honor a court summons. Probable cause refers to a rational belief, based on facts and situations, that a crime has occurred and the suspect is implicated.

A warrant for arrest usually contains the following details:

• Name of the Accused: The complete legal name of the individual to be apprehended.
• Profile of the Accused: Physical traits including stature, mass, hair shade, eye hue, and any unique characteristics.
• Charges: The particular criminal offense(s) for which the defendant is accused.
• Issuing Authority: The title and name of the magistrate who granted the warrant.
• Date of Release: The date on which the warrant was granted.
• Expiry Date: The day when the warrant ceases to be valid.

After a warrant is granted, law enforcement personnel in Walker County and in other areas can carry it out. This includes finding and detaining the person specified in the warrant. The detained individual is subsequently taken into custody and presented to a magistrate to be notified of the accusations against them and their rights.

Do Walker County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Walker County arrest warrants usually have no expiration date. They stay in effect until the person is taken into custody, the charges are withdrawn, or a judge recalls the warrant.