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  1. Galveston County Court
  2. Galveston County Arrest Records

Galveston County, Texas Arrest Records

Galveston County arrest records are official documents created and maintained by law enforcement agencies after individuals are apprehended and detained for criminal charges or alleged offenses. They typically contain personally identifiable information about an arrestee and details about their alleged offense(s) or charge(s). These records promote the transparency of law enforcement agencies' actions. They may also be reviewed by regulatory bodies and other interested parties to ensure these actions are carried out in line with applicable laws. 

Galveston County arrest records are usually featured in an individual’s criminal history record information (CHRI), which the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) compiles. Arrest records and CHRI are both subject to public release under separate laws. The Texas Public Information Act (PIA) governs arrest records, while Chapter 66 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Texas Government Code Section 411.135 controls CHRI releases. 

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Galveston, Texas?

Per the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, all government information, including arrest records, is presumed public. As a result, Galveston arrest records are generally public unless they are made confidential by law or court order. Examples of records that are mandatorily protected from public access include sealed or expunged records and juvenile offender records. Additionally, law enforcement agencies may also withhold information related to an ongoing investigation or litigation at their discretion.

Galveston County Arrest Search

Interested persons may locate Galveston County arrest records by conducting a statewide criminal history record information (CHRI) check through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS is the central repository for criminal history records in Texas. As a result, criminal justice agencies across Texas, including those in Galveston County, report most criminal records they generate to the DPS. These criminal records include, but are not limited to, arrest, prosecution, conviction, and disposition records. In turn, the DPS compiles these records to create a subject’s CHRI. 

Generally, the DPS offers two ways to conduct CHRI checks: name-based or fingerprint-based checks. A name-based CHRI check may be conducted through the DPS’s Computerized Criminal History System (CCH) website. Individuals must create an account or log in to use the CCH and are charged one search credit per search. Each search credit costs approximately $3.00 and may be purchased by credit card or check. Note that a name-based CHRI check results only include arrests, prosecutions, and case dispositions for Class B misdemeanors or higher offenses

On the other hand, a fingerprint-based CHRI check may be conducted by visiting any DPS Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) location to be fingerprinted. Prospective applicants must schedule an appointment, either online or by calling 1-888-467-2080, before their visit. Applicants are typically charged $10 for fingerprinting and $15 for the CHRI results. Interested persons may review the DPS CR-63 form for additional information about making a fingerprint-based CHRI check. 

If an individual was arrested in Galveston County, but was held in state or federal custody. In such cases, interested persons may find their arrest record through online resources provided by relevant agencies. They may use the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Inmate Information Search website to find information for those held in state custody. The website is searchable by name, TDCJ number, or SID number. Meanwhile, information about federal detainees is accessible through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator portal, which is searchable by name or number (BOP Register, DCDC, FBI, or INS number). 

Galveston County Inmate Locator

Record seekers can find Galveston County arrest records through the County Sheriff’s Office Recent Arrests portal. Unfortunately, the portal does not have input fields that allow users to search for individuals by specific criteria. Instead, buttons that users can click to switch between the county inmates' details are provided. It is important to note that inclusion on the portal only indicates that an individual is in custody and does not imply guilt. Typical information about inmates that the portal provides includes: 

  • The inmate’s full name
  • Mugshot 
  • Age, race, and sex 
  •  The reason for their arrest

Active Warrant Search in Galveston County

Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 15.01, an arrest warrant is a written order issued by a magistrate directing a peace officer or another named person to apprehend an individual who allegedly committed an offense. In Galveston County, valid arrest warrants are issued in the name of “The State of Texas and most contain the following requisites

  • Specify the name (if known) or a reasonably definite description of the warrant’s subject. 
  • State the alleged offense
  • The signature of the issuing magistrate and the name of their office. 

Interested persons may search for active arrest warrants in Galveston County online through the county Sheriff’s Office Wanted List portal. This is a free public service tool that allows users to search for different types of active warrants, including arrest warrants, affidavits of default, Capias Pro-fine, and probation violations, in the county. Information about warrants that are available on the portal includes; 

  • The warrant subject’s full name
  • Charge(s)
  • Warrant type
  • Address
  • Official designated agency   

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Galveston County

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office offers different online resources individuals may use to find arrest records in Galveston County for free. The county Sheriff’s Office Recent Arrests portal may be used to find information about recent local arrestees. Meanwhile, the county Sheriff’s Office Event Search portal may be used to search for accidents or arrests that occurred within the last seven (7) days in the county.

Galveston County Arrest Report

A Galveston County arrest report is a comprehensive document that contains information about what transpired leading up to, during, and after an arrest. It is usually prepared by the arresting officer and is used to document their account of the incident. It may also contain witness statements.  

Meanwhile, an arrest record is an official document that contains objective information about an arrest, such as the arrestee's personal information and the alleged offense or charges. Criminal justice agencies typically use these records in different official capacities. For instance, they may be reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and included in an individual’s criminal history record information (CHRI).

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Galveston County

An arrest record may be expunged in Galveston County pursuant to Article 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The law establishes the eligibility requirements, rules, and procedures for expunging arrest records. For example, arrests that resulted in any of the following may be eligible for expungement: 

  • No charges filed
  • Dismissed criminal charges
  • Conviction of a minor for certain alcohol related offenses
  • Overturned conviction 
  • A conviction that was pardoned by the governor of Texas or the U.S president. 

Additionally, arrests resulting from identity theft and certain qualifying misdemeanor juvenile offenses are eligible for expungement. Individuals with eligible arrest records may request expunction using the appropriate expunction petition form. They will be charged a $350 fee to file their expunction petition per the Galveston County District Clerk’s 2026 fee schedule. However, these fees may be waived for petitioners who file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with their expungement petition. The completed petition, other required documents, and fees may be filed online through the  E-File Texas portal or directly to the Galveston County District Clerk’s office at: 

600 59th Street 

Room 4001 

Galveston, TX 77551 

P.O. Box 17250

Phone: (409) 766-2424 

Fax: (409) 766-2292 

Once the petition is filed, a hearing is typically scheduled within 30 days. Afterwards, petitioners may complete the appropriate order form (order granting expunction for one arrest or order granting expunction for more than one arrest). On their scheduled hearing date, they may bring the order form and ask their case judge to sign it, provided their petition is approved. Once signed, the order should be filed with the clerk to finalize the case. 

How Do You Remove Galveston County Arrest Records From the Internet?

The most effective way to ensure that Galveston County arrest records are not published on the internet is to petition to have the record expunged. Once expunged, the affected record will automatically be removed from relevant online government databases, such as DPS’s Computerized Criminal History System (CCH). Furthermore, third-party websites are also legally required to remove expunged records from their database. However, not all arrest records qualify for expungement. Only records that meet the eligibility requirements under Article 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure may be expunged. 

Record holders may also remove their Galveston County arrest records from third-party websites that provide public record search services by filing an opt-out request. Most of these third-party websites allow individuals to opt out of their services, effectively removing their public records from the website’s database. Usually, they provide an online request form that individuals can complete and submit to opt out.

What Do Public Galveston County Arrest Records Contain?

In Galveston County, Texas, public arrest records typically contain the following information: 

  • The arrestee’s full name
  • Mugshot 
  • Personally identifiable information, such as age, race, sex, height, and weight
  • Description of the reason for the arrest.
  • Arrest date, time, and location