Dallas County Public Records / Dallas County Arrest Records

Dallas County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dallas County

Arrest records in Dallas County, Texas, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq., members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies. Arrest records — which document the act of taking an individual into custody — are distinct from conviction records, which reflect a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest record indicates that a person was detained by law enforcement based on probable cause; it does not establish criminal guilt. Conviction records, by contrast, are generated through the judicial process and reflect adjudicated outcomes. Under current Texas law, basic arrest information such as the name of the arrested individual, the offense charged, and the date and location of arrest is routinely available to the public. Certain categories of records, including those involving juveniles or sealed cases, may be withheld pursuant to applicable statutory exemptions.

What's in Dallas County Arrest Records

Dallas County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and maintained by law enforcement agencies. The following categories represent the typical contents of an arrest record in this jurisdiction.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Race, sex, height, weight, and physical descriptors
Residential address at time of arrest
State identification number and FBI number (if assigned)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and badge number of arresting officer
Circumstances or narrative summary of the arrest

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
Texas Penal Code section(s) cited
Number of counts per charge

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number and date of booking
Facility where the individual was processed
Fingerprint classification and photograph reference

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (personal recognizance, surety, cash)
Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Case number assigned by the district or county court
Scheduled court dates and hearing types
Assigned court and presiding judge

Custody Status:

Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
Release date and release type
Detainer or hold information from other agencies

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history cross-referenced in the record
Probation or parole status at time of arrest
Victim information (may be redacted under applicable privacy statutes)

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Dallas County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Dallas County may access them through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for obtaining these records.

Contact the Dallas County Sheriff's Office — The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records for individuals processed at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. Requestors may submit a written public information request in person, by mail, or via the agency's online portal.
Submit a Texas Public Information Act Request — Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies must promptly respond to written requests for public information. Requests should identify the subject by full name and approximate date of arrest.
Contact the Dallas Police Department — For arrests made by Dallas PD officers, records may be requested through the department's Open Records Division.
Access the Dallas County District Clerk's Office — Court records associated with criminal charges stemming from an arrest are maintained by the District Clerk and may be accessed in person or online.
Use the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Records Service — The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains statewide criminal history records accessible through the TexasOnline portal for a nominal fee.

Dallas County Sheriff's Office 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207 (214) 749-8641 Dallas County Sheriff's Office

Dallas Police Department — Open Records Division 1400 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215 (214) 671-3345 Dallas Police Department

Dallas County District Clerk's Office 600 Commerce St., Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 653-7131 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Dallas County District Clerk

How To Find Dallas County Arrest Records Online

Several official online platforms currently provide access to Dallas County arrest records and related criminal justice information.

Dallas County Jail Lookup — The Dallas County Sheriff's Office operates an online inmate search tool at the official county website, allowing users to search current and recent bookings by name or booking number.
Texas DPS Crime Records Service — Members of the public may submit name-based criminal history searches through the Texas Department of Public Safety online portal. A processing fee applies for certified records.
Dallas County District Clerk Online Portal — The District Clerk's online case search allows users to search criminal case records by defendant name, case number, or offense type.
Texas Offender Search — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains a publicly accessible offender search database for individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state facilities.
Court Records via OdysseyPublicAccess — Dallas County participates in the Tyler Technologies Odyssey case management system, which provides web-based access to court filings and case dispositions.

How To Search Dallas County Arrest Records for Free?

Several no-cost options are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information in Dallas County.

Dallas County Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office publishes a free online jail roster updated regularly, listing individuals currently in custody at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. This resource is accessible through the Dallas County Sheriff's Office website at no charge.
District Clerk's Public Access Terminal — Members of the public may use free public access terminals located at the District Clerk's office at 600 Commerce St. to search criminal case records without charge during regular business hours.
Texas Courts Online — The Texas Judicial Branch provides free access to certain court records and case information through its public-facing web portal.
In-Person Records Inspection — Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, governmental bodies must allow members of the public to inspect public records at no cost; fees may only be charged for copies or certified documents.
Public Libraries — Dallas Public Library branches provide free internet access to county and state databases, including the District Clerk's online search system.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Dallas County

Texas law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expunction (legal erasure) and nondisclosure (sealing, which restricts public access without full destruction of the record). These remedies are distinct in scope and eligibility.

Expunction results in the physical destruction or return of all records related to an arrest. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01, an individual may be eligible for expunction if:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted
The statute of limitations has expired without charges being filed
The individual received a pardon

Nondisclosure seals records from public view but allows certain government agencies to retain access. Eligibility generally applies to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for qualifying offenses.

Steps to Pursue Expunction or Nondisclosure:

Determine eligibility based on case outcome and waiting periods
Obtain a certified copy of the final disposition from the District Clerk
File a Petition for Expunction or Order of Nondisclosure in the appropriate district court
Serve all relevant agencies named in the petition
Attend the court hearing and obtain a signed order
Distribute the court order to all agencies holding records

Dallas County District Clerk's Office 600 Commerce St., Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 653-7131 Dallas County District Clerk

What Happens After Arrest in Dallas County?

The criminal justice process in Dallas County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking — Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center for booking, where identifying information, fingerprints, and photographs are collected.
Magistration — Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual must be brought before a magistrate, who informs them of the charges and sets bail conditions pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17.
Bond Determination — The magistrate sets bond based on the nature of the offense, criminal history, and flight risk. The individual may be released upon posting bond or may remain in custody.
Grand Jury or Charging Decision — For felony offenses, the case is presented to a grand jury, which determines whether sufficient evidence exists to indict. Misdemeanor charges are filed directly by the District Attorney.
Arraignment — The defendant appears in court to enter a formal plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Pre-Trial Proceedings — Motions, discovery, and plea negotiations occur during this phase.
Trial or Plea Disposition — The case is resolved through a jury trial, bench trial, or negotiated plea agreement.
Sentencing — Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Texas Penal Code guidelines.

Dallas County Criminal District Courts 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207 (214) 653-5800 Dallas County Criminal Courts

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Dallas County?

Retention periods for arrest records in Dallas County are governed by state law and applicable records schedules. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission establishes minimum retention requirements for local government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies.

Under current law, the following general retention standards apply:

Arrest and booking records for cases resulting in conviction are typically retained permanently or for a minimum of 10 years following final disposition
Records for cases not resulting in conviction are retained for a minimum period, after which expunction may be sought under applicable statute
Fingerprint cards and biometric data are retained in accordance with Texas DPS guidelines and may be held indefinitely in state repositories
Incident and offense reports associated with an arrest are subject to separate retention schedules maintained by the arresting agency

Different agencies within Dallas County — including the Sheriff's Office, Dallas Police Department, and District Clerk — maintain independent records systems and may apply varying retention periods consistent with state minimums. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing legal proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.

Texas State Library and Archives Commission — State and Local Records Management 1201 Brazos St., Austin, TX 78701 (512) 463-5455 Texas State Library and Archives Commission

How to Find Mugshots in Dallas County

What Mugshots Are Mugshots are photographic images taken at the time of booking, capturing the front and profile views of an arrested individual. These images are part of the official booking record and are maintained by the arresting or detaining agency.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Dallas County, mugshots are primarily maintained by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. The Dallas Police Department also retains booking photographs for arrests processed through its facilities.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots through a formal public information request submitted to the relevant law enforcement agency. Requests should include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and booking number if known.

Can They Be Found Online At present, Dallas County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database. However, booking photographs may appear in third-party aggregator websites, which are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. The accuracy and currency of information on such sites cannot be verified by official sources.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official mugshot requests are processed through the Dallas County Sheriff's Office Open Records Unit or the Dallas Police Department's Open Records Division. Requestors may submit written requests in person, by mail, or electronically. A nominal fee may apply for reproductions.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with expunged records are not subject to public disclosure. Additionally, photographs of juveniles are protected under Texas Family Code provisions and are not available to the general public. Certain ongoing investigations may also result in temporary withholding of booking photographs under applicable exemptions to the Texas Public Information Act.

Dallas County Sheriff's Office — Open Records Unit 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207 (214) 749-8641 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Dallas County Sheriff's Office

Lookup Arrest Records in Dallas County

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