Arrest records are a form of public information created when a person is taken into custody by a law enforcement agency. These records document a booking event, not a final legal outcome. Understanding what an arrest record represents — and what it does not — is essential when reviewing criminal justice information.
What Is an Arrest Record?
An arrest record reflects that an individual was detained and processed by a law enforcement agency. It typically includes identifying information, the date of arrest, the arresting agency, and the charge descriptions provided at the time of booking.
Importantly, an arrest record does not determine guilt or innocence. It documents that an arrest occurred, not how a case was resolved.
Arrest vs. Charge vs. Conviction
These terms are often confused but have distinct meanings:
- Arrest: A person is taken into custody by law enforcement.
- Charge: An alleged offense recorded during the booking process.
- Conviction: A legal determination of guilt made by a court.
An arrest may result in charges being filed, modified, or dismissed. A conviction occurs only if a court formally adjudicates the case. Many arrests do not result in convictions.
Why Arrest Records Are Public in Texas
In Texas, arrest records are generally considered public information because they are created by government agencies in the course of official duties. Transparency in law enforcement activities is a foundational principle of public records laws.
Public access to arrest records allows the public to understand law enforcement activity, monitor government processes, and access historical information. This access exists independently of the outcome of any related court case.
Booking Information vs. Case Outcomes
Arrest records are created at the time of booking, often before a case has been reviewed by prosecutors or the courts. As a result, booking information may differ from later court filings or final dispositions.
TexArrest publishes booking events obtained from publicly available government sources. These records do not represent convictions, sentencing decisions, or the current status of a case.
Dismissed, Pending, or Reduced Charges
Cases may be dismissed, remain pending, or result in reduced charges for many reasons, including evidentiary issues, procedural matters, or prosecutorial discretion. These outcomes do not retroactively change the fact that an arrest occurred.
Because arrest records document historical booking events, they may remain publicly accessible even if a case is later dismissed or resolved without a conviction.
Accuracy and Corrections
Arrest records are sourced directly from law enforcement and government systems. While these sources are considered authoritative, errors may occur. Individuals who believe a record contains inaccurate information may request a review through TexArrest’s official record review process.
Corrections address factual inaccuracies. Removal of records occurs only when legally required, such as through a valid court order.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.