Tarrant County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Tarrant County
Arrest records in Tarrant County are considered public information pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). Members of the public may access these records through various official channels maintained by county law enforcement agencies. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office maintains and provides access to arrest records as part of its statutory obligations.
Under Texas state law, most arrest records are classified as public information with certain exceptions for:
- Records involving juveniles (under 17 years of age)
- Records that have been legally expunged or sealed by court order
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations where disclosure might interfere with law enforcement activities
- Records containing sensitive personal information protected by privacy laws
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of county-level arrest records and booking information. This agency processes and maintains documentation related to arrests made within its jurisdiction.
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
200 Taylor Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-3099
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What's in Tarrant County Arrest Records
Tarrant County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records are maintained in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §60.01, which establishes standards for criminal history record information.
Standard information contained in Tarrant County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number and identification information
- Criminal charges filed
- Bond information and status
- Court case numbers (when applicable)
- Custody status (detained, released, transferred)
The Daily Booked in Reports provided by the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office contain information about recent arrests and bookings into county detention facilities. These reports are updated regularly and provide a snapshot of recent law enforcement activity within the county.
It should be noted that arrest records document only that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Pursuant to Texas law, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Tarrant County in 2025
Tarrant County provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in 2025, in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:
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Online Inmate Search Portal: The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search database that allows users to search for currently detained individuals and recent arrests. This system is updated regularly and provides basic booking information.
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Public Records Request: Formal requests for specific arrest records can be submitted through the Public Records Request process. Pursuant to Texas Government Code §552.221, the Sheriff's Office must respond to such requests within 10 business days.
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In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office to request arrest record information in person.
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Records Division
200 Taylor Street, 8th Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-1213
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM -
Municipal Police Departments: For arrests made by city police departments within Tarrant County, inquiries may be directed to the respective agency, such as the Fort Worth Police Department.
Fort Worth Police Department
505 W. Felix Street
Fort Worth, TX 76115
(817) 392-4222
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth or other identifying details.
How To Find Tarrant County Arrest Records Online
Tarrant County provides several official online resources for accessing arrest records electronically. These digital platforms are maintained in accordance with Texas Government Code §552.272, which permits governmental bodies to provide public information through electronic means.
The primary online resources for Tarrant County arrest records include:
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Inmate Search Database: The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search portal allows users to search for individuals currently in custody or recently booked into county detention facilities. This database is updated regularly and provides basic booking information, charges, and custody status.
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Daily Booking Reports: The Sheriff's Office publishes Daily Booked in Reports that list individuals processed into county detention facilities within the past 24 hours. These reports include names, charges, and booking information.
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Electronic Records Request System: The county maintains an online system for submitting public records requests electronically. This system allows requestors to specify the type of arrest records sought and receive digital copies when available.
When using these online resources, users should note that:
- Information is provided as a public service and may not be comprehensive
- Records may have limitations regarding historical data availability
- Some detailed information may require formal records requests
- Online systems may experience periodic maintenance or updates
For arrests made by municipal police departments within Tarrant County, such as the Fort Worth Police Department, users may need to consult city-specific resources or websites for arrest information pertaining to those jurisdictions.
Can You Search Tarrant County Arrest Records for Free?
Tarrant County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic arrest record information in accordance with Texas Government Code §552.261, which addresses costs associated with public information requests. Members of the public may utilize the following free resources:
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The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search portal is available at no charge and provides information about individuals currently in custody or recently booked.
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Daily Booked in Reports are published online at no cost and list individuals processed into county detention facilities within the past 24 hours.
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Basic inquiries made in person at the Sheriff's Office Records Division public counter may be fulfilled without charge for simple lookups.
However, pursuant to Texas Government Code §552.261, fees may apply for:
- Requests requiring extensive research or compilation
- Reproduction of documents (copying fees)
- Certified copies of records
- Records requiring redaction or special processing
- Requests for large volumes of information
The current fee schedule for Tarrant County public records requests is as follows:
- Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Personnel time for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive processing: $15.00 per hour
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Records Division
200 Taylor Street, 8th Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-1213
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
How To Delete Arrest Records in Tarrant County
The process for removing arrest records in Tarrant County is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides legal mechanisms for expunction or non-disclosure of criminal records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking to delete arrest records must follow established legal procedures.
Expunction (complete removal) of arrest records may be available to individuals who:
- Were arrested but never charged with a crime
- Had charges dismissed or quashed
- Were acquitted of charges at trial
- Were convicted but subsequently pardoned
- Completed certain deferred adjudication programs for eligible offenses
- Meet statutory waiting periods after disposition of their case
The process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the Tarrant County District Court. This legal proceeding requires:
- Preparation of appropriate legal documents
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $300)
- Scheduling of a court hearing
- Notification of all agencies holding records
- Judicial review and determination
For cases not eligible for expunction, individuals may qualify for an Order of Non-Disclosure under Texas Government Code §411.081, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes.
Due to the complex legal requirements involved, individuals seeking expunction or non-disclosure are advised to consult with qualified legal counsel. The Tarrant County District Clerk's Office can provide procedural information but cannot offer legal advice.
Tarrant County District Clerk's Office
100 N. Calhoun Street
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-1574
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What Happens After Arrest in Tarrant County?
Following an arrest in Tarrant County, individuals are processed through a standardized sequence of procedures in accordance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. This process typically includes:
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Booking and Processing: Arrestees are transported to a detention facility where they undergo:
- Identification verification
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Criminal history check
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Magistration: Within 48 hours of arrest, individuals appear before a magistrate judge who:
- Informs them of charges
- Advises them of constitutional rights
- Sets bail or bond amounts
- Determines eligibility for court-appointed counsel
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Bond Consideration: Depending on the nature of charges and individual circumstances, arrestees may:
- Post cash bond
- Arrange for surety bond through a licensed bondsman
- Qualify for personal recognizance bond
- Be held without bond for certain serious offenses
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Case Filing: The arresting agency submits case information to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, which determines whether to:
- File formal charges
- Decline prosecution
- Request additional investigation
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Court Proceedings: If charges are filed, the case proceeds through the appropriate court system:
- Misdemeanor cases to County Criminal Courts
- Felony cases to District Courts
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office maintains custody of individuals held in county detention facilities throughout this process. Information about individuals in custody can be accessed through the Inmate Search portal.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Tarrant County?
Arrest records in Tarrant County are maintained in accordance with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's retention schedules and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §60.01. These records are generally retained permanently unless legally expunged or sealed through court order.
The retention periods for various components of arrest records are as follows:
- Booking Information: Maintained permanently in electronic databases
- Arrest Reports: Retained for a minimum of 75 years from date of arrest
- Fingerprint Cards: Preserved permanently in both county and state repositories
- Booking Photographs: Retained permanently unless expunged by court order
- Jail Records: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after release from custody
These retention periods apply to records maintained by the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county. Additionally, information is shared with and maintained by:
- Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Repository
- Federal Bureau of Investigation National Crime Information Center
- Other law enforcement information sharing networks
It should be noted that even when records are no longer actively maintained by county agencies, information may persist in various databases, third-party systems, or archived formats. The only legal mechanism for complete removal of arrest records is through the expunction process outlined in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
How to Find Mugshots in Tarrant County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records in Tarrant County pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act. These photographs are taken during the booking process at county detention facilities and become part of the official arrest record.
Members of the public may access mugshots through several official channels:
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Online Inmate Search: The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search portal includes booking photographs for individuals currently in custody or recently processed.
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Public Records Request: Formal requests for specific booking photographs can be submitted through the Public Records Request process. Requests should include the individual's full name and, if possible, date of birth or booking number.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Sheriff's Office Records Division to request copies of booking photographs.
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Records Division
200 Taylor Street, 8th Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196
(817) 884-1213
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Standard fees apply for reproduction of booking photographs:
- Digital copies: $1.00 per image
- Printed copies: $2.00 per image
It should be noted that while mugshots are legally accessible public records, their use is subject to certain restrictions under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §109.005, which prohibits certain commercial uses of booking photographs without consent.