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Find Texas Criminal Records

Are Criminal Records Public in Texas?

Yes, criminal records in Texas are public under the Texas Freedom of Information Act. Individuals seeking access to these records must make requests to the designated record custodians. Typically, requesters need to provide the subject's name and last known location, including cities, counties, and states. These records can be obtained without formal authorization.

To receive criminal records, requesters should provide:

The record subject’s name, unless the subject is a juvenile.
The record subject’s last known location, including cities, counties, and states.

What Constitutes a Criminal Record in Texas?

A criminal record in Texas is an official document detailing the criminal activities of individuals within the state's jurisdiction. These records, also known as rap sheets, include information on misdemeanor and felony offenses, arrests, indictments, and non-expunged criminal convictions. Data is compiled from local, county, and state jurisdictions, trial courts, courts of appeals, and state correctional facilities.

What Information Is Included in Texas Criminal Record?

Full name and aliases of the subject
Mugshot and unique physical descriptors
Birth date, nationality/ethnicity, and gender
Full set of fingerprints
Details of criminal offenses and indictments
Arrest information, dispositions, and convictions

How To Check Criminal Records in Texas

Criminal records in Texas are issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS). To obtain these records, individuals may use the TDPS Crime Record Search Service, which serves as the state's central repository for criminal information.

Interested persons can perform criminal record checks online through the TDPS database. There is a fee for accessing these records, typically around $3 per search, excluding additional charges incurred when paying by credit card.

Are Arrest Records Public in Texas?

Yes, arrest records are public documents in Texas and are available to state residents. These records are typically maintained by the county police department or sheriff's department responsible for the arrest.

State residents can request these records through the online platforms provided by local law enforcement agencies. The Texas Freedom of Information Act mandates that arrest records be made available to the public unless they fall under specific exclusions.

What Are Arrest Warrants in Texas?

Texas arrest warrants are legal documents authorizing law enforcement agents to apprehend suspects of criminal activity. These warrants include details such as the alleged criminal offense, the name of the issuer, the date of issuance and expiration, recommended place and time of arrest, and bail/bond conditions if applicable.

How To Lookup Mugshots in Texas

Mugshots are portrait images taken by law enforcement after an arrest, showing the front and side profile of the individual. They are publicly available and typically stored in county sheriff's online inmate rosters or local law enforcement databases.

To find mugshots, individuals can search the online inmate rosters on sheriff or police department websites. Mugshots may also be found in the Texas Department of Public Safety's public sex offender registry.

How To Search Inmate Records in Texas

Inmate records in Texas are publicly available and maintained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). These records can be accessed through the TDCJ's searchable online inmate database.

To find inmate records, individuals can query the TDCJ or use the online inmate search tool, which includes details such as the inmate's full name, convicted offense, personal data, incarceration date, and facility location.

How To Find Texas Criminal History Record for Free

Criminal history records in Texas include entries of arrests, indictments, detentions, and other criminal charges and their dispositions. These records are maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety's Crime Records Division (CRD).

Criminal history records are not available for free; a fee is required for each record.
Individuals can access these records by logging into the CRD Public Site and purchasing search credits.
The fee for each search is typically around $3, excluding credit card charges.

Are Juvenile Criminal Records Publicly Available in Texas?

Juvenile criminal records in Texas detail crimes committed by individuals legally considered underage. These records are generally confidential but remain accessible to the public unless expunged.

Juvenile records are stored by the relevant juvenile justice agencies and can be accessed by submitting a formal request to these agencies. Successful petitions may be required for expungement.

How To Find Sex Offenders in Texas

Sex offender records in Texas include information on convicted sex offenders within the state. These records are publicly available and maintained by various jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies.

Individuals can find sex offender information through the Texas sex offender registry, which serves as a central repository. The registry includes details such as full names, aliases, addresses, and physical and online identifiers.

Are Police Records Public Information in Texas?

Yes, police records are public information in Texas, with some exceptions. These records are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and can be accessed by submitting a request.

Police records include:

Arrest records
Traffic accident reports
Incident/offense reports
Crime statistics
Booking photos (mugshots)
Warrant information

Texas Misdemeanor Laws: Types of Offenses and Punishments

Misdemeanors in Texas are non-indictable offenses considered less severe than felonies. They are categorized into three classes based on severity:

Class A: Burglary of a vehicle, carrying a gun without a permit
Class B: Possession of up to two ounces of marijuana
Class C: Theft of property worth less than $100

Texas Criminal Laws: Offenses and Penalties Explained

Felony laws in Texas categorize the most severe crimes into five classes based on severity:

Capital Felony: Murder
First Degree Felony: Sexual assault against a child
Second Degree Felony: Selling controlled substances
Third Degree Felony: Promoting prostitution
State Jail Felony: Theft of property worth $2,500 to $30,000

Overview of Texas DUI Laws

A DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in Texas is a serious traffic violation that includes driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Offenders face penalties such as fines, jail time, and license suspension. Minors under 21 can be charged with a DUI for any detectable amount of alcohol.

Are Texas Probation Records Public?

Probation records in Texas detail the conditions under which an individual serves their sentence outside a correctional facility. These records are generally not publicly available and are maintained by the relevant probation agencies.

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