Willacy County Arrest Records

Arrest records are public documents that reveal an individual’s interaction with the authorities. Arrests may occur when an arrest warrant is issued, when an officer witnesses a crime, or when investigations reveal that a crime was committed.

Individuals arrested in Willacy County are usually held in the county jail till their appointed court hearings or transfer dates to other detention centers. The Willacy County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for creating and maintaining arrest records within the county. All arrests within the county are booked and processed in the Sheriff’s Office.

Willancy County Court Records, which usually contain filed charges, case numbers, arrests, and court actions, are typically maintained by the district clerk's office. Just like arrest records, court records are also public records that can be requested by any member of the public. Moreover, they show up on background checks as they detail final hearings and court proceedings.

Are Arrest Records Public in Willacy County?

According to Chapter 552 of the Texas Public Information Act, arrest records are public records that may be accessed by any member of the public. These records can be obtained from the agencies in charge of maintaining the records at any time.

Although the state promotes transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure. These include juvenile arrest records, sealed or expunged records, records related to ongoing investigations, information about victims or witnesses, and personal identifying information such as driver’s license or Social Security numbers. Some of these details can only be accessed by the record owner, their attorney, or by court order.

Physical copies of arrest records can be obtained from the Willacy County Sheriff’s office located at:

1371 Industrial Drive,
Raymondville, TX 78580
Phone: (956) 689-5576, (956) 689-4900
Fax: (956) 689-3867

Willacy County Arrest Statistics

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data for 2017 revealed that Willacy County had a daily inmate count of 46. However, in 2024, the county recorded an average daily inmate count of 57, indicating an increase in the number of inmates yearly.

Willacy County processes around 1,900 arrests annually and has an average inmate population of 96 across its facilities. Moreover, the local county jail has an admit rate of 478 inmates per 100,000 residents, while the jail incarceration rate is 389 inmates per 100,000 residents.

Find Willacy County Arrest Records

The Willacy County Jail roster lists individuals presently detained in the county jail. The county jail can be reached directly at (956) 689-5576. The physical address is 1371 Industrial Drive, Raymondville, TX 78580.

Arrest records in the county can be accessed via the Willacy County Jail Roster, which is found on the county’s official website. The jail roster lists individuals presently detained in the county jail.

To find arrest records online:

1. Visit Willacy County’s official website.
2. Locate the Jail roster.
3. Search the roster by inmate name or booking details.

It is important to note that the Sheriff’s Office maintains jail records in both online and physical formats. Physical copies can be requested by submitting a formal request to the County Clerk’s office, located at 1371 Industrial Drive, Raymondville, TX 78580. The request should also state that physical copies are preferred, as the county often sends online copies unless otherwise stated.

Alternatively, the state provides resources such as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Offender Search. This is used for locating inmates within the state. To use this tool, visit the official website and search using inmate name, TDCJ number, or SID number.

Willacy County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Willacy, arrest records are documents that indicate that a person has spent time in police custody. Arrest records usually show details such as the arrested individual’s name, the date, location, and time of the arrest, booking details, and the offense that warranted the arrest. Arrest records in Willacy can be accessed by any member of the public. However, expunged records and juvenile records are usually exempt from this.

Criminal records, however, show a person’s full history of encounters with the justice and law enforcement systems. A criminal record not only shows an arrest, but also details what happens after an arrest. They often state whether charges were filed, which charges were filed, and how the case was concluded. Criminal records usually include additional details such as case proceedings, sentences, fines, and final court decisions (acquittals, convictions, or dismissals). The Texas Department of Public Safety provides statewide criminal history.

When conducting background checks, arrest and criminal records usually appear in the search results. However, if the charges are dropped, a person may have an arrest record but a non-existent criminal record. Background checks usually reveal arrest records and final convictions. In summary, arrest records reveal that law enforcement took action against an individual in response to their crime, while criminal records detail how the case was resolved.

The Sheriff’s Office generates arrest records while the district clerk compiles criminal records from charges filed in court.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Because Texas law does not set a specific expiration date, arrest records in Willacy remain on the record indefinitely unless a petition for expunction is specifically filed. However, not all offenses are eligible for expungement per Texas law. The following requirements deem an individual eligible for expungement:

• The charges were dismissed, and no probation was ordered.
• The individual was found not guilty.
• The individual was arrested but never charged.
• The individual completed a pretrial diversion program.
• There are no pending charges.

For individuals convicted of an offense, the record cannot be expunged unless they are granted a special pardon by the governor. Crimes like murder, sexual assault, and sex offense crimes are also not eligible for expunction.

For arrest-based expunctions, the court requires set waiting periods. For instance, Class A and B misdemeanours in the state have a 1-year waiting period before they are eligible to file for expunction. Class C misdemeanours have a 180-day waiting period, and felonies have a 3-year waiting period after the completion of the sentence before a petition for expungement can be filed.

If no charges are filed and the statute of limitations expires, then the individual may file for expunction.

Willacy County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are court orders permitting law enforcement to detain the named individual. They usually contain the individual’s name, physical description, issuing court, offense committed, and the issuing judge’s signature. Arrest warrants may be issued by county or district judges. They are applicable throughout Texas and can be executed by the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office or other local law enforcement agencies.

Before a warrant is issued, a complaint is filed by either an officer (after investigations) or a prosecutor. Then, the judge determines whether probable cause exists by considering the complaint and evidence presented. If it is established, the judge issues the warrant for arrest by signing it.

Warrants are issued when the following instances occur:

• The suspect was not apprehended at the crime scene.
• The suspect fails to appear in court despite prior notices.
• The suspect poses a flight risk.
• The suspect is a danger to lives and property.

Do Willacy County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Willacy County, arrest warrants do not expire regardless of how much time has passed. They remain active until the named individual is arrested or the warrant is recalled. Other factors that may affect the validity of a warrant include:

• The court withdraws the warrant.
• The case is dismissed.
• Death of the defendant.
• Negotiated resolution.

In Willacy County, the statute of limitations only matters before a warrant is issued. If the statute of limitations is still valid when the charges are filed, and a judge issues an arrest warrant, the warrant will remain active long after the statute of limitations expires. In essence, the statute of limitations cannot be used to challenge the warrant’s validity. No longer used to challenge the validity of the warrant.

Willacy County’s policies on arrest warrants follow Texas laws, and hence, an arrest warrant issued in Willacy County may be executed anywhere within the state. This is in accordance with Article 15.18 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Expunge Willacy County Arrest Records

Expungement is the permanent removal of records from public view. When records are expunged, they cannot be accessed by the public anymore, and government agencies have limited access to the records. Expunged records no longer show up on background checks, and can legally be treated as if they never existed. The individual also has the right to lawfully deny those records.

Expungements usually apply to cases with no convictions. However, other factors that might qualify an individual for expunction include:

• If the offender was acquitted.
• If the case was dismissed.
• No charges filed.
• Case dismissal through a diversion.

For misdemeanors and felonies, the following waiting periods apply:

• Class A and B misdemeanours have a 1-year waiting period, while
• Offenders in the Class C misdemeanors category have a 180-day waiting period.
• Felonies usually have a 3-year waiting period.

To expunge an arrest record in Willacy County,

1. Confirm eligibility: Ensure your record is eligible for expungement, and that any waiting periods have been completed.
2. File for Expunction: Prepare a Petition for Expunction and file it in Willacy County Court. The petition should be filed with the district or attorney’s court that handled the case.
3. Notify relevant agencies: Notify the Sheriff’s Office, the county jail, or any other agency that may hold the records needed to be expunged.
4. Payment of fees: Filing fees cost around $100 -$400 in Texas. The exact amount depends on the county and the specifics of the case.
5. Court order: A court order is then issued for the expunction of the record. In a few cases, the court may require the individual to attend a hearing before approving the expunction.