Arrest records often include charge or offense descriptions that appear technical, abbreviated, or severe. Understanding how these descriptions are generated and what they represent can help prevent confusion when reviewing arrest information.
TexArrest publishes charge descriptions as they appear at the time of booking, using terminology provided by arresting agencies and standardized legal references.
Where Charge Descriptions Come From
Charge descriptions displayed on TexArrest are sourced directly from publicly available law enforcement and government systems. These descriptions are typically entered during the booking process by the arresting agency.
At the time of booking, charges may be preliminary and subject to later review, modification, or dismissal by prosecutors or courts.
Booking Charges vs. Court Charges
It is common for booking charge descriptions to differ from later court filings. Booking charges reflect the arresting agency’s initial classification of an alleged offense and may not represent the final charge pursued by the prosecution.
Court documents, indictments, or case dockets may use different terminology, numbering, or offense levels. These differences do not indicate an error in the arrest record.
Abbreviations and Legal Codes
Many arrest records contain abbreviations, shorthand descriptions, or statutory references. These formats are used by law enforcement agencies to efficiently record information within their systems.
Charge descriptions may reference sections of the Texas Penal Code or other statutes and may appear abbreviated or truncated due to system limitations.
Severity Levels and Offense Classifications
Charge descriptions may include offense levels such as misdemeanor classifications or felony degrees. These classifications are based on statutory definitions and reflect the alleged offense at the time of arrest.
The presence of an offense level does not indicate a conviction or final determination. Offense classifications may change as a case progresses through the legal system.
Multiple Charges on a Single Booking
An arrest record may list multiple charges associated with a single booking event. This occurs when law enforcement alleges more than one offense at the time of arrest.
Each listed charge represents an allegation recorded during booking and does not imply guilt, conviction, or sentencing.
Charge Explanations on TexArrest
Where available, TexArrest may provide general explanations of common charges for educational purposes. These explanations are informational summaries and are not legal definitions or legal advice.
Charge explanations are intended to help readers understand commonly used terms and do not reflect the outcome of any specific case.
Important Context
Charge descriptions reflect information recorded at the time of arrest. They may not match later court filings or case outcomes. TexArrest publishes arrest records for informational purposes only and does not verify or interpret legal charges.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.