Washington County Arrest Records

Under state law, law enforcement officers in Washington County, Texas, are authorized to arrest anyone found committing a crime. After making an arrest, the individual is booked into jail, and an official arrest record is created. This document details the individual's interactions with the Washington County justice system.

Typically, the law enforcement agency responsible for making the arrest maintains the arrest record. These records are crucial in initiating criminal proceedings and can provide insight into an individual's criminal history. Moreover, they are part of Washington County Court Records and may be accessed through the county's court records system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

Yes. Washington County arrest records fall under the broader category of court records, making them accessible to the public upon request per Texas Government Code Chapter 552.

However, certain Texas statutes or court orders restrict access to specific records. Examples of records that may not be publicly accessible include:

• Juvenile records
• Medical or health records
• Sealed records
• Expunged records
• Records of ongoing criminal investigations, confidential informant information, and law enforcement methods
• Student education records
• Records containing details of critical infrastructure, emergency response, and security plans
• Records revealing the identity of confidential informants or witnesses in active cases
• Records containing sensitive financial information or Social Security numbers
• Records with sensitive business details, trade secrets, and proprietary data filed with the government

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records in Washington County typically include the following details:

• The individual's full name, date of birth, physical description (hair color, eye color, height, weight), and home address
• Arrest information (date, time, place, and the arresting agency)
• A description of the circumstances surrounding the arrest
• Booking data (fingerprints and mugshots)
• Scheduled court dates
• Information on the facility where the individual is being held
• Bail and bond information (if available)
• Charge details (e.g., case number, list of charges)

Washington County Arrest Statistics

According to the 2024 UCR Arrest statistics, there were 1,109 arrest cases in Washington County, Texas, in 2024. Of that figure, Aggravated Assault was the most committed crime, with 604 cases, followed by larceny-theft with 392 cases, and burglary with 56 cases. Other minor cases included rape, with 19 cases, and robbery, with 2 cases.

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Interested members of the public can look up Washington County arrest records at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI's office.

For state-wide access to arrest records in Washington County, researchers can perform in-person requests at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with a valid ID card and processing fee at the address below:

Texas Department of Public Safety
5805 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78752-4431

Alternatively, researchers can look up arrest records from the DPS online search portal by following the steps below:

• Visit the DPS's Crime Records Division website.
• Tap on the Access Site section in "Criminal History Conviction Name Search"
• Tap on "Search Database"
• Register an account
• Purchase Search credits
• Input the necessary information about the suspect's location (such as the full name, date of birth, county of arrest, and case number) and click on Search
• Locate the record from the search results

On the other hand, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) maintains all records of arrests conducted by its officers within the country. Members of the public can obtain records by visiting the FBI's office to conduct in-person requests with their government-issued ID card and a processing fee of $18. Below is the address of the US FBI:

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Summary Check
1000 Custer Hollow Rd.
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

Researchers can acquire free arrest records in Washington County from the County Sheriff's Department or the local police offices.

At the Washington County Sheriff's office, researchers can look up records of individuals arrested and currently being held in the county detention facility. Thus, researchers can conduct searches online by following the steps below:

• Visit the Washington County Sheriff's Department official website
• Under the "Home" section, click on the "Current Inmate Roster" link
• Click on the "Inmates" button.
• On the next page, provide the suspect's first and last name, race, gender, arrest date and the agency they are held in, then click on the "Search" button
• Select the given record from the list of search results.

Inquirers can also visit the Washington County Sheriff's office to request the records in person. Requesters must contact the office beforehand to confirm the record's availability and to book an appointment with the office. Then, on the day of the appointment, the researcher should ensure to carry along a valid ID card, the identifying details of the case party, and reason for research and submit it to the office below:

Washington County Sheriff's Office
#1206 Old Independence Road,
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: (979) 277-7373

Alternatively, researchers can also visit the local Washington County Police Departments to request access to records for individuals arrested by the agency. Thus, to obtain these records, researchers should first confirm the agency that conducted the arrest and then visit the office with the required identification documents and a valid ID card.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Once an individual is arrested in Washington County, Texas, all arrest details remain on their records permanently, providing the public, institutions, or employers access to these pieces of information upon request. However, the Texas State laws provide allowances for certain arrest information to be expunged or sealed from public access.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

Eligible parties may apply to expunge or seal their arrest information from public access. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct legal implications.

The Order of Nondisclosure law governs the sealing of court records in Washington (TGC § 411.071 - § 411.081), authorizing eligible persons to restrict their records from public access. But, while the public has no access to such records, certain government agencies still have access to these records. Some types of court records that can be sealed in Washington County include:

• Specific records associated with family violence
• Records of people who have deferred adjudication probation for certain misdemeanors and felonies
• Records of certain non-violent felonies, depending on the time since the completion of the sentence and the outcome of the legal proceeding.
• Records related to juvenile offenses
• Specific kinds of human prostitution and trafficking records can be sealed under certain circumstances
• Records for first-time offenses that have completed their sentences or probation

On the other hand, Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs the expungement of certain records, which permits eligible individuals to erase arrest information from their records completely. Below are the following records that can be expunged:

• Records of cases resulting in acquittal or a pardon.
• Records of law cases that were dismissed from a grand jury or resulted in a "no bill".
• Records of arrests for offenses that were not prosecuted.
• Certain misdemeanor cases are committed by minors (minor drug-related offenses or alcohol-related crimes).
• Certain Class C misdemeanor suits can be expunged.
• Records for which the laws of limitations have expired for the crime.

Eligible parties must first ensure to review the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55, to verify if the case is qualified for expunction. After that, they should file a Petition for Expunction in Washington County District Court or the local court where the charge took place, including information about the arrest, convictions, charges, and even the outcome. Then, the court will schedule a date for a case hearing, during which the case party (or their attorney) must provide every evidence qualifying the record for expunction. The District Court will then issue an Order of Expunction if the presiding judge grants the application, enabling every connected agency to erase the record from their database.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

A Washington County arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes police officers to arrest a person suspected of committing a crime. The warrant is issued when a law enforcement officer provides probable cause to believe a suspect has committed a crime. The officer gathers sufficient evidence and presents it with a warrant application to a magistrate or judge. After considering the facts, if the judge grants the application, the police officer is permitted to arrest the individual at any time.

Arrest warrants in Washington County typically comprise the following details:

• The suspect's full name
• The date of birth of the suspect
• Charges/offenses committed.
• The time and date of the issuance of the warrant.
• The signature of the presiding judge.

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Washington County arrest warrants remain in effect indefinitely. They only become inactive if:

• Law enforcement apprehends the suspect
• The suspect surrenders or passes away
• The court recalls or revokes the warrant