Coryell County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Coryell County
Arrest records in Coryell County are considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Texas Government Code § 552. This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, are available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act operates under the principle that citizens are entitled to complete information about governmental affairs and official acts of public officials and employees.
It is important for requestors to understand the distinction between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through the judicial process. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain law enforcement records may be withheld if their release would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the state's criminal history record information and establishes policies governing access to such records. Local law enforcement agencies in Coryell County, including the Sheriff's Office, adhere to these state regulations while maintaining their own records of arrests within county jurisdiction.
What's in Coryell County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by Coryell County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with Texas criminal justice information systems requirements. A complete arrest record generally includes:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
- Fingerprints
- Photograph (mugshot)
- Address at time of arrest
- State identification number (SID) and/or FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Reason for arrest (probable cause statement)
- Whether arrest was made pursuant to a warrant or was warrantless
Charge Information:
- Criminal offense(s) charged
- Statute citation(s)
- Offense classification (felony or misdemeanor) and degree
- Offense description
- Case number assigned
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Judge who signed the warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking officer
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond status (posted or not)
- Conditions of release (if applicable)
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Scheduled court appearances
- Case disposition (if resolved)
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility where detained (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Probation/parole status at time of arrest
- Immigration detainer information (if applicable)
- Medical screening information
- Emergency contact information
The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including identification, case processing, and public safety considerations.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Coryell County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Coryell County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county maintains systems for both in-person and remote access to these public records. Requestors should follow these procedures:
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Submit a formal public information request to the Coryell County Sheriff's Office, which serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within the county. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or via email.
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Complete the Public Information Request Form available through the Sheriff's Office. The form requires the requestor to specify the information sought, including the name of the individual, date of arrest (if known), and other identifying information to facilitate record location.
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Present valid government-issued photo identification when requesting records in person. This requirement helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
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Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information. Current fee schedules are available from the Sheriff's Office.
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Allow for processing time as specified by the Texas Public Information Act, which generally requires agencies to respond to requests within 10 business days.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Coryell County Sheriff's Office
510 East Leon Street
Gatesville, TX 76528
(254) 865-7201
Coryell County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.
Alternatively, requestors may contact the Coryell County District Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests that have proceeded to prosecution:
Coryell County District Clerk
620 East Main Street, Suite 100
Gatesville, TX 76528
(254) 865-5911
Coryell County District Clerk
How To Find Coryell County Arrest Records Online
Coryell County provides digital access to certain arrest record information through official online platforms. The following methods facilitate electronic retrieval of arrest records:
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Visit the Coryell County Sheriff's Office website, which maintains a current inmate roster. This resource displays information about individuals currently in custody, including names, booking dates, charges, and bond information.
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Access the Coryell County Judicial Records Search portal, which allows users to search court cases by name, case number, or filing date. While this system primarily contains court records, it often includes information about associated arrests.
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Utilize the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service to request criminal history record information. This state-level resource includes arrest data reported by Coryell County law enforcement agencies.
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Check the Texas Judicial Branch Public Court Records database, which aggregates court information from participating counties, including Coryell County.
When conducting online searches, users should note that:
- Complete arrest records may not be available online due to privacy considerations and system limitations
- Some online systems require user registration and may assess access fees
- The most current information is typically available through direct contact with the Sheriff's Office
- Online records may not include disposition information for cases that have been dismissed or expunged
For comprehensive arrest record information, including details not available through online portals, direct contact with the Coryell County Sheriff's Office remains the most reliable method.
How To Search Coryell County Arrest Records for Free?
Coryell County residents and other interested parties may access certain arrest record information without incurring fees through several public resources:
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The Coryell County Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible current inmate roster on its website. This free resource provides basic information about individuals currently in custody, including charges and booking dates.
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Visit the Coryell County Law Library, located within the courthouse complex, which provides public access terminals for searching basic court records related to arrests:
Coryell County Law Library
620 East Main Street
Gatesville, TX 76528
(254) 865-5911
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Attend public court proceedings in Coryell County. Court dockets are public information and typically posted outside courtrooms or available through the District Clerk's Office. Hearings and trials related to arrests are generally open to public observation.
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Consult the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender information search, which provides free access to information about individuals who have been sentenced to state custody following conviction in Coryell County.
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Review public notices in local newspapers, which often publish information about recent arrests, particularly in high-profile cases.
It should be noted that while basic arrest information may be available at no cost, comprehensive records or certified copies typically require payment of statutory fees. Additionally, pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.275, agencies may establish reasonable limits on the time spent producing information without charging if the production requires extensive personnel time.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Coryell County
Texas law provides specific mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records under certain circumstances. These processes fall into two distinct categories: expunction (complete removal of records) and order of nondisclosure (sealing of records from public view while remaining available to law enforcement and certain government agencies).
Expunction (Erasure)
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may petition for expunction of arrest records if they meet specific statutory criteria, including:
- The person was arrested but never charged with a crime
- The person was charged but the case was dismissed or quashed
- The person was acquitted of the charges (found "not guilty")
- The person was convicted but subsequently pardoned or otherwise granted relief based on actual innocence
- The person completed certain deferred adjudication programs for specific misdemeanor offenses
The expunction process requires:
- Filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Coryell County
- Paying the required filing fee (approximately $250-300)
- Attending a hearing before a district judge
- If granted, ensuring the expunction order is distributed to all agencies holding records
Order of Nondisclosure (Sealing)
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, individuals who have successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision may petition for an order of nondisclosure, which seals records from public view but maintains them for law enforcement purposes.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Successful completion of deferred adjudication
- No disqualifying criminal history
- Satisfaction of applicable waiting periods (varies by offense type)
- The offense must not be excluded by statute (certain violent and sexual offenses are ineligible)
To initiate either process, individuals should contact:
Coryell County District Clerk
620 East Main Street, Suite 100
Gatesville, TX 76528
(254) 865-5911
Coryell County District Clerk
Legal representation is strongly recommended for navigating these complex procedures, as improper filings may result in denial of relief.
What Happens After Arrest in Coryell County?
Following an arrest in Coryell County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Texas law. This process typically progresses through several defined stages:
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Booking and Processing: Upon arrival at the Coryell County Jail, arrestees undergo booking procedures, including fingerprinting, photographing, personal property inventory, and initial health screening. Basic identifying information and arrest details are entered into law enforcement databases.
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Magistration: Within 48 hours of arrest (typically within 24 hours), arrestees appear before a magistrate judge who:
- Informs them of charges
- Advises them of constitutional rights, including the right to counsel
- Sets bail or bond conditions
- Determines probable cause for warrantless arrests
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Bail Determination: The magistrate sets bail based on factors including offense severity, criminal history, flight risk, and community safety considerations. Bail options include:
- Cash bail (full payment to court)
- Surety bond (percentage payment to bondsman)
- Personal recognizance (release without payment based on promise to appear)
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Formal Charging:
- For misdemeanors: The County Attorney files an "information" charging document
- For felonies: The District Attorney presents evidence to a grand jury, which determines whether to issue an indictment
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Arraignment: The defendant appears in court to:
- Hear formal charges
- Enter an initial plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Have counsel appointed if financially qualified
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Pre-Trial Proceedings:
- Discovery (exchange of evidence)
- Pre-trial motions (challenges to evidence, procedures)
- Plea negotiations between defense and prosecution
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Case Disposition:
- Plea agreement (approximately 90% of cases)
- Trial (by judge or jury)
- Dismissal of charges
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Sentencing (if convicted):
- Incarceration in county jail (misdemeanors) or state prison (felonies)
- Probation/community supervision
- Fines and court costs
- Alternative sanctions (community service, treatment programs)
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Post-Conviction: Potential appeals or post-conviction remedies through higher courts
Throughout this process, case information becomes part of the public record maintained by the Coryell County District Clerk, subject to the exceptions and protections discussed in previous sections.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Coryell County?
Arrest records in Coryell County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the authority of Texas Local Government Code § 203. These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various categories of law enforcement and court records.
For arrest records specifically:
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Basic arrest information must be retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of arrest or until the arrested person's 75th birthday, whichever is later.
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Arrest warrants must be maintained for a minimum of 3 years after execution or expiration.
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Booking records, including photographs and fingerprints, must be retained for a minimum of 5 years after the individual is released from custody.
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Investigation records related to arrests must be maintained for a minimum of:
- 10 years for felony cases resulting in conviction or deferred adjudication
- 5 years for misdemeanor cases resulting in conviction or deferred adjudication
- 3 years for cases not resulting in conviction or cases no-billed by grand jury
Different agencies within Coryell County maintain separate record systems with potentially different retention practices:
- The Coryell County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records
- The District and County Clerks maintain court records related to criminal cases
- The District and County Attorneys maintain prosecution files
These retention requirements ensure the preservation of records for legitimate law enforcement purposes, statistical analysis, and historical documentation. However, as noted previously, certain records may be subject to expunction or orders of nondisclosure under specific circumstances provided by law.
How to Find Mugshots in Coryell County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images serve as visual identification records within the criminal justice system and typically show the arrestee's face and upper shoulders from both frontal and profile (side) perspectives. In Coryell County, as in other Texas jurisdictions, these photographs are taken as part of standard booking procedures at the county jail.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
The primary custodian of booking photographs in Coryell County is the Sheriff's Office, which operates the county jail facility where arrestees are processed. These images are maintained as part of the official arrest record and are stored in both physical and digital formats within the agency's records management system.
Finding Mugshots
Individuals seeking access to booking photographs in Coryell County may:
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Submit a formal public information request to the Coryell County Sheriff's Office specifying the name of the individual, date of arrest (if known), and other identifying information.
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Complete the standard public information request form available through the Sheriff's Office records division.
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Pay applicable fees for reproduction of photographs as established by county fee schedules.
Can They Be Found Online
The Coryell County Sheriff's Office does not currently maintain a public-facing online database of booking photographs. Unlike some jurisdictions, Coryell County has not implemented a system for routine online publication of mugshots. This policy reflects growing concerns about the potential misuse of such images and their impact on individuals' privacy and reputation, particularly for those who may ultimately not be convicted of any crime.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
For official access to booking photographs, requests should be directed to:
Coryell County Sheriff's Office Records Division
510 East Leon Street
Gatesville, TX 76528
(254) 865-7201
Coryell County Sheriff's Office
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record location and may be required to present identification when submitting requests in person.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to booking photographs may be restricted under certain circumstances, including:
- Cases involving juveniles (under 17 years of age)
- Records that have been subject to expunction or order of nondisclosure
- Instances where release might interfere with an ongoing investigation
- Cases involving certain victims of crimes (particularly sexual assault or family violence)
These restrictions are established by various provisions of Texas law, including the Texas Public Information Act, Family Code, and Code of Criminal Procedure, which collectively balance the public's right to information against individual privacy interests and the integrity of the criminal justice process.
Lookup Arrest Records in Coryell County
Coryell County official website