There are over 573,000 arrests in Texas annually, with Hardin County law enforcement agencies accounting for over 1,610. Under the Texas Public Information Act, individuals can access public records, including arrest records, in the county. They can view the content for free, but need to pay a fee ranging from $0.50 to $25 to obtain a copy.
However, certain records, such as those involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, and sealed records, are inaccessible to the public. These restricted records are available to certain parties, such as persons named on the records, law enforcement agencies, judicial officers, and the District Attorney's Office.
Hardin County arrest records may be accessed through several agencies, including the sheriff's office, local police departments, courts, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Individuals may obtain copies of arrest records from the Hardin County Sheriff's Office by contacting its Record Division at (409) 246-5236 or in person at
The Sheriff's Office
300 West Monroe Street
Kountze, TX 77625
The sheriff's office also offers an inmate roster that anyone may use to view selected arrest-related information online.
Individuals interested in records should visit the police department overseeing the city or town where the arrest occurred. To obtain requested records, individuals must provide enough information, such as the offender's name and arrest date, to locate the arrest records. They must pay for the copies of the records. Some police departments allow the public to make Open Records Requests through official websites. Here are examples of police departments in the county:
The Crime Records Division under the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides criminal records, including arrest records. The DPS maintains a Computerized Criminal History System Database (CCH) that allows Individuals to search arrest records online. To conduct a name-based search for an offender on the CCH, record seekers must first create an account and pay the necessary fees.
The DPS offers interested individuals the option to request arrest records through Fingerprinting Services via a third-party vendor, IDEMIA. First, individuals must schedule an In-person appointment or visit a FAST location to proceed with the process. They must present a valid form of identification and pay the required fees at the appointment.
Records of arrests that lead to charges being brought against the offender are also available under the criminal records at the Hardin County Courthouse. Courts, such as the District Court, the Constitutional Court, and the various Municipal Courts, deal with criminal cases. Individuals may contact the County Clerk's Office for criminal records of misdemeanor cases or check its Online Records Search Platform.
Record seekers may request criminal records (felony cases) by submitting a Request for Copies Form to the District Clerk's Office. To conduct a record search, they must provide the offender's name or case number and pay a copy fee. The Texas Judicial Branch provides a Re:Search Portal for individuals to search online for public court records. Individuals may access Hardin County arrest records through reputable third-party websites like InfoTracer.
Hardin County has an arrest rate of 27 arrests per 1,000 residents. The list below displays the arrest statistics for adults and juveniles in the county:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault | 30 |
| Robbery | 2 |
| Rape | 1 |
| Simple Assault | 157 |
| Arson | 5 |
| Burglary | 20 |
| Murder | 1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 16 |
| Larceny | 40 |
| Drugs Violations | 276 |
| DWI | 97 |
| All Other Offenses | 965 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 1,610 |
Source: Texas DPS Uniform Crime Reporting System
It is situated in Hardin county, Texas with a total number of 66 employees - 1 female, 27 male officers and 38 civilians. Hardin County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is TX1000000, it belongs to the West South Central division in the South region with a region code of Region III.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kountze Police Department | 835 Redwood St | (409)246-2119 |
| Sour Lake Police Department | 655 W Barkley St | (409)287-3574 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hardin County TX Juvenile Detention Center | 300 Monroe Street, 3rd Floor Courthouse, Po Box 7 | 409-246-5175 |