Collin County Arrest Records

Arrest records are official documents created and maintained by law enforcement agencies that document the details of an individual's arrest. In Collin County, the Sheriff's Department is primarily responsible for arrests but is supported by municipal police departments, particularly when an incident occurs within their jurisdiction.

Arrest records, although part of criminal records, are distinct from them; a full criminal record includes subsequent court proceedings and conviction information. Arrest records are also generally public under state law to ensure transparency and keep citizens informed about government actions concerning public safety and law enforcement. In contrast, criminal records are considered confidential and accessible to authorized personnel and the subject of the record (Tex. Gov't Code §411.083).

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Texas?

Yes. Collin County arrest records are public information. The general rule in the state under the Texas Public Information Act (Tex. Gov't Code § 552.001 et seq.) is that government records, including arrest records, are presumed to be public. However, certain arrest-related information is protected by the TPIA and other statutes from public disclosure. Under Tex. Gov't Code § 552.108, an arrest record will be restricted from public access if:

• Information is used to detect, investigate, and prosecute crime, and disclosure would interfere with this process.
• Release would cause harm to the person under investigation or another person.
• It is information related to an ongoing investigation that would impair the ability to conduct a free and open inquiry.

Arrest records exempted from public disclosure under other statutes include:

• Juvenile records
• Personal identifying information of victims of sexual assault, family violence, trafficking, or other sensitive crimes
• Personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers
• Home addresses of peace officers and their families
• Information revealing the identity of confidential informants

Collin County Arrest Search

Collin County comprises several police departments, in addition to the Sheriff's Department, that are authorized to make arrests. When a department conducts an arrest, it is required to create and maintain an arrest record following the event. This record is accessible to the public unless a restriction exists under the law.

Members of the public who want to obtain an arrest record may visit the arresting agency with known details about the arrest to make a request. Individuals may find the record with the Sheriff's Office if the arrestee was detained at any point in the county jail. Inquirers may obtain documents tied to an arrest, such as mugshots and offense reports, by submitting an Open Records Request to the Sheriff's Department. Individuals can submit a request online, in person, or by mail. Non-online requests must be made in writing and contain precise details about the record sought. The record search fee is $5, excluding costs for the record. The Sheriff's mailing address is:

Individuals can also access Collin County and other state arrest records from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The Crime Records section handles criminal records searches. Researchers can access arrest records by conducting a name search using the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH). The portal provides information on arrests, prosecutions, and case dispositions for persons arrested for a class B misdemeanor (or Class C if reported) or greater. Fingerprint-based searches are also available for a more detailed criminal record.

On a national level, arrest records are handled through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This involves getting an Identity History Summary Check and a rap sheet. However, the FBI only discloses arrest and criminal information to the subject of the record.

Collin County Inmate Locator

Inmate locators are essential online tools that help the public quickly find arrest and custody information for individuals incarcerated in jails or prisons. The Collin County Inmate Search tool provides information on persons detained in the county jail. Users can search for an inmate by name, alias, Sheriff's Office number, or attorney name/bar number.

Active Warrant Search in Collin County

An arrest warrant is a court order issued by a magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to detain a specific individual. It is typically issued based on probable cause of criminal activity or when a person violates a bench warrant. Arrest warrants generally contain the individual's name, alleged offense, date of issuance, and instructions for arrest.

The Sheriff's Office maintains and executes warrants in Collin County. By visiting the office, individuals can know if they have a warrant in their name. However, this bears the risk of being arrested on the spot if an active warrant is found. To avoid this, inquisitors can search the Sheriff's Active Warrant portal using a name, warrant number, case number, or partial address. It is necessary to note that not all warrants may be displayed on the portal. So, a search that does not return any result does not always mean there is no active warrant for the person.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Collin County

Collin County arrest records can be found for free through the Sheriff's Inmate Search tool. The tool allows the public to view current bookings, basic charges, and arrest dates without payment or registration.

Collin County court records may also contain information about arrests, especially if an arrestee was charged. Individuals can search the courts' several online portals to access such cases for free. The portals include:

• The Justice System App
• The Case Search System
• The Case Record Inquiry System

Additionally, third-party websites may be an option for persons seeking no-cost alternatives for arrest records. However, they often provide limited information for free and may request a fee for full access. They also may not have updated information, as they do not have real-time access to records.

Collin County Arrest Report

An arrest report, sometimes referred to as a police report, is a document that contains a law enforcement officer's narration of an arrest. It describes the events leading up to and during the arrest, the reasons for probable cause, observations at the scene, statements from witnesses (and the arrestee), and any physical evidence collected. While an arrest record summarizes an arrest, an arrest report provides full context and details.

Individuals seeking an arrest report can request it from the arresting agency. Local law enforcement agencies in Collin County typically allow requests in person, by mail, or by email, depending on the agency. The Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, like the McKinney Police Department and the Allen Police Department, allow online requests for arrest reports. Obtaining an arrest report from an arresting agency might cost a fee.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Collin County

Expungement is the process through which arrest records, related documents, and case files are erased from a person's criminal record or sealed from public access. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 55A.001 et seq. governs the expungement of arrest records in Texas. Under the law, a person is entitled to expunction in the state if they were:

• Tried and acquitted of the offense for which they were arrested
• Convicted but later pardoned
• Convicted for the offense of unlawfully carrying a handgun before September 1, 2021
• Arrested due to mistaken identity or clerical errors
• Arrested, but no indictment or information was ever presented within certain time frames (180 days for Class C misdemeanors, up to 3 years for felonies)
• Were charged, but the charges were dismissed or quashed due to factors like participation in certain specialty court programs.
• Arrested, but the statute of limitations for prosecution has expired.

Additionally, courts may, at their discretion, grant expunction in cases where a person was:

• Convicted and later acquitted on appeal or granted discretionary review by the appellate court.
• Recommended for expunction by the prosecuting attorney before trial.

However, this mainly applies to offenses punishable by only a fine.

Individuals are ineligible for expunction if:

• The person was convicted or remains subject to prosecution for other offenses arising from the same criminal episode
• The arrest involved a driver's license suspension or revocation not covered by other laws
• The arrest occurred under certain community supervision warrants
• The person absconded after release

Individuals eligible for expunction can file a petition in the Collin County District Courts. Once the petition is received, the court will notify all listed agencies so they can respond or appear in the hearing if they oppose. If all statutory conditions are met, the presiding judge will review the petition and order expunction at the hearing. If objections exist, a contested hearing may be held before a ruling is passed.

A ruling in favor of the petitioner means their arrest record is completely erased, and they can legally claim that they never had any record.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Arrest records typically end up in online databases after being created by law enforcement, courts, or third-party websites that aggregate these records. After the court orders the expunction of an arrest record, the order is distributed to all agencies. Once received, the agencies must destroy or return the records and remove them from any online databases within a year. If, after a year, individuals can still see their arrest records on online platforms, they may take the following steps:

• Contact the website where the record is found (it can be government-owned or private)
• Use data removal services that can help identify websites holding their information and request that it be taken down
• Contact search engines that may have cache pages to have them removed

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Collin County typically include the following information:

• Basic identifying information: Full name, sex, race, ethnicity, and date of birth.
• Date and location of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Charges filed
• Booking information, such as the Sheriff's Office number and cell number
• Court case number and court
• Mugshots
• Attorney information
• Warrant information