Wise County Arrest Records

Arrest records are official files narrating why, where, and how people were arrested. Law enforcement primarily creates these records after capturing alleged offenders based on probable cause (usually because of findings in criminal investigations, warrants, or indictments). If the Wise County Prosecuting Attorney's Office files charges against an arrestee, the records become part of Wise County court records.

Besides assisting prosecutors in filing charges, arrest documents help members of the public locate loved ones and learn about release conditions. They also aid people looking to clear their criminal records and restore certain rights.

Individuals interested in obtaining arrest records can approach the Wise County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and Wise County courts. Certain state departments, like the Texas State Police, can also furnish members of the public with arrest records in their custody.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wise County?

Yes. Anyone can request or view arrest information using methods provided by courts and law enforcement. The Texas Public Information Act (PIA) permits members of the public to request data like arrest records from law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, courts are mandated by Supreme Court rules to make court records public, as they are not subject to the PIA.

At the same time, certain arrest records are exempt from public disclosure. These records include juvenile arrest and court information, medical and financial records, social security numbers, driver's license details, and sealed court records. These restricted information and documents can only be released to parties authorized by law, usually courts, law enforcement agencies, and case parties.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Records that can be dispensed to the public contain the following information:

• Defendant's full name, age, race, gender, and physical attributes
• Photograph (mugshot)
• Booking number
• Location, date, and time of the arrest
• Bond details
• Charges and alleged offenses

Wise County Arrest Statistics

According to the Texas Crime Report for 2023 released by the Department of Public Safety, 226 arrests were recorded in Wise County. Larceny offenses accounted for 148, aggravated assault incidents resulted in 42 arrests, and 15 arrests were attributed to burglary crimes.

Find Wise County Arrest Records

Wise County arrest records are primarily the product of law enforcement criminal justice activities. However, they are also included in court records during criminal trial processes.

Individuals can start by approaching the local law enforcement agency that executed an arrest if the arrest is recent. These agencies include the Bridgeport Police Department and the Wise County Sheriff's Office. The former has an online Public Information Request form that members of the public can use to make inquiries and order copies of arrest reports. Interested parties can also visit or call the PD at:

1000 Thompson Street
Bridgeport, TX 76426
Phone: (940) 683-3430
Fax: (940) 683-3431

Most arrestees are remanded to the county jail before and after their first court appearances unless released. The Sheriff's Office handles records for these inmates since it oversees the detention facility. The Sheriff's Office also makes most arrests outside the City of Bridgeport. Thus, people can approach the office for arrest information regarding recent arrestees and jail inmates. Jail records are accessible online through the county's law enforcement and court records portal. One can select the Jail Records option to find inmates by booking number or name and view details like booking dates, charges, bond information, and case events.

As mentioned, court records also contain arrest information. As such, interested parties can approach the court with jurisdiction over a specific criminal matter to view a defendant's arrest details. The county's District Court handles felony matters and other criminal records not adjudicated by other local courts. County Courts at Law are responsible for class A and B misdemeanors and Class C misdemeanor appeals from justice and municipal courts. Basic records emanating from these criminal courts, such as defendant names, charges, and case events, are also accessible through the county's Criminal Case Records portal.

The Texas Computerized Criminal History system can also be used to find comprehensive Wise County criminal information, including arrest details, on individuals with convictions or deferred adjudications on their records. The Texas Department of Public Safety provides the system and requires intending users to create accounts.

Another place to find records of arrested persons is the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It preserves records of individuals convicted in Wise County who are currently serving or have served time in state prison. Interested parties can submit a Public Information Act Request to the department for inquiries about any inmate or use the department's offender search website to check basic incarceration information.

If an arrestee is taken into custody by a federal agency, one will have to contact that agency for the records they seek. For example, people can contact U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement or use its Online Detainee Locator System to find persons arrested on immigration offenses. However, many federal arrestees are supervised by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The BOP's inmate search utility provides location information about these individuals.

Free Arrest Record Search in Wise County

A free arrest record search may be conducted by querying a law enforcement agency under the Texas FOIA or a presiding courthouse.

People can also utilize online third-party search resources provided by private entities. Some websites are free to use and collate information from multiple criminal justice agencies. However, these platforms are not owned, operated, or partnered with government agencies. Thus, individuals may have to verify information, as there are no guarantees regarding accuracy.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Members of the public can view anyone's arrest records until those records are expunged. Subjects of such records are required to apply with the appropriate court during a specific period to have their arrest details restricted from public access or destroyed. In cases where records are not destroyed, certain criminal justice agencies and courts may still have continued access.

Expunge Wise County Arrest Records

Under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 55.01, individuals who meet certain requirements can apply to have their arrest records expunged. Upon approval, criminal justice agencies will be instructed to destroy such records in certain cases. For example, records will be deleted when prosecuting attorneys affirm that the records are no longer needed for criminal justice purposes. In other cases, the records will be removed from public databases but will remain accessible to law enforcement, courts, and other entities approved by law.

An individual can request an expungement if they meet the following conditions:

• Charges were not brought against them, and the statute of limitations has expired
• Charges were dismissed before a trial
• A disposition of not guilty or acquittal was reached
• A finding of innocence was reached after a previous conviction
• The prosecuting attorney dismissed the case after it was overturned on appeal
• A pardon based on actual innocence was issued
• The court dismissed the case after the completion of a pre-trial diversion program
• The individual was convicted of violating Section 46.02(a) of the Texas Penal Code before September 1, 2021

In certain cases, individuals are expected to meet certain time requirements before applying for expungement. For example, when formal charges were not filed, at least 180 days must pass without any related felony charges for Class C misdemeanors, one year for Class A or B misdemeanors, and three years for felonies.

Also, there may be time limits for filing expungement applications. Individuals who have been acquitted after a criminal trial or whose notices for pardon have been sent to courts have 30 days to file their petitions.

If the crime is not punishable by imprisonment, the petition can be submitted to a justice of the peace. If the offense is eligible for jail time, the application must be submitted to the county's district or county court.

The petition should contain the following elements:

• Personal details: The applicant's full name, date of birth, race, sex, address (when the arrest occurred), social security number, and driver's license number
• The offense
• The date of an offense
• Arrest date
• Name of the county or municipality of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Case number
• Court of offense
• Names and addresses of every agency the applicant believes has a copy of their records. These include courts, law enforcement, detention facilities or jails, prosecuting attorneys, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and federal agencies.

The court will set a hearing date 30 days after the applicant submits their application and notify prosecuting attorneys and other relevant parties.

Wise County Arrest Warrants

While law enforcement officers can arrest people at the scene of a crime, they usually seek authorization from judges before apprehending and taking suspects into custody. This authorization comes in the form of an "arrest warrant, " and it can only be granted when judges believe probable cause exists for an arrest based on complaints submitted by police officers. However, judges can also issue warrants when defendants fail to appear, violate their probation, or flout other court instructions, such as community service and child support payments.

Wise County arrest warrants contain the following:

• Alleged offender's name or physical description, or both
• Warrant issuance date
• Alleged offense committed by the suspect
• Judge's signature

Individuals can check with the Wise County Sheriff's Office to confirm whether an arrest warrant bearing their name or that of someone they know has been issued. Interested parties can also contact county, district, and municipal court clerks to inquire about arrest warrants.

Do Wise County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. In Wise County, arrest warrants are only resolved when law enforcement agencies arrest accused individuals or judges issue recall orders, usually when a defendant is determined to be innocent. People who find their names on an active warrant can also resolve it by turning themselves over to the authorities.