The Texas Public Information Act allows public access to many government records, including certain arrest records in Harris County. According to the Crime in Texas Annual Report, the state records an annual average of 820,451 arrests, with approximately 14,769 of these arrests occurring in Harris County. While most of these records are accessible, certain records, such as those involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, and witness safety cases, are generally exempted from public disclosure.
Access to restricted arrest records in Harris County is typically limited to authorized individuals, including the persons named in the record and relevant law enforcement agencies such as the Police Departments or the District Attorney's Office. Obtaining copies of an arrest record may attract a nominal fee, typically $1 per page, with an additional $5 for certification.
Harris County arrest records may be accessed through several agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, the state's Department of Public Safety, and the County Clerk Office.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and runs an inmate information search system that allows the public to access arrest-related data online. Interested individuals may also obtain copies of arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office in person at:
1200 Baker Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-5300
Harris County arrest records may be accessed by submitting public records requests through the official websites of the local police departments that maintain records for incidents within their respective jurisdictions. Also, interested persons may visit the local police department in the city or town where the arrest was made. They must provide details such as the individual's name and arrest date. Note that fees may be required.
Major Police Departments in Harris County include:
The Texas Department of Public Safety manages the statewide Criminal History Name Search database, which provides information on arrests and convictions. Anyone may obtain copies of these reports online through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service platform or by mailing a Criminal History Records Information Request Form to the DPS at:
Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division P.O. Box 149322 Austin, TX 78714-9322
Phone: (512) 424-5079
Requesters must include all necessary supporting documents and the appropriate fee (typically $3 for name-based searches) when submitting their request.
In Harris County, arrest records are accessible based on the offense type. The District Courts handle felony cases, while misdemeanor cases are processed through the Criminal Courts at Law. The Harris County District Clerk's Office provides access to criminal court records, including arrest details, through its online case search. Interested parties may also obtain criminal records from the District Clerk's Office at:
201 Caroline St
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-5800
Searches typically require an individual's name or case number. and copy fees may apply.
Alternatively, reliable third-party websites, such as Infotracer, typically offer convenient, fast, and comprehensive search options where requesters may access Harris County arrest records.
Harris County has an arrest rate of 4,366 arrests per 100,000 residents. Below are the average arrest figures for both adults and juveniles in the county:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 439 |
| Negligent Manslaughter | 4 |
| Robbery | 8,349 |
| Rape | 3,090 |
| Aggravated Assault | 112,455 |
| Human Trafficking | 161 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 22,754 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 27,083 |
| Larceny | 112,952 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 1,104 |
| Total Property Crimes | 5,713 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 14,769 |
Source: Texas Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) System
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bellaire Police Department | 5110 Jessamine St | 713-668-0487 |
| Deer Park Police Department | 2911 Center St | (281)478-2000 |
| Galena Park Police Department | 2207 Clinton Dr | (713)675-3471 |
| Humble Police Department | 310 Bender Ave | (281)446-7127 |
| La Porte Police Department | 3001 North 23rd Street | 281-471-3811 |
| Webster Police Department | 217 Pennsylvania Ave | 281-332-2426 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Harris County TX Juvenile Detention Center | 1200 Congress Street | 713-222-4100 |
| Harris County TX - The 1200 Jail | 1200 Baker Street | 713-755-7484 |
| Harris County TX - The 1307 Jail | 1307 Baker Street | 713-755-2400 |
| Harris County TX - The 701 Jail | 701 North San Jacinto Street | 713-755-8430 |
| Harris County TX - The 711 Jail | 711 North San Jacinto Street | 713-755-1188 |
| Harris County TX Youth Village | 210 Jw Mills Drive | 713-222-4700 |
| Houston FDC | 1200 Texas Avenue | 713-221-5400 |
| Houston Processing Center | 15850 Export Plaza Drive | 281-449-1481 |
| Joe Kegans State Jail | 707 Top Street | 713-224-6584 **117 |
| Leidel Residential Reentry Center | 1819 Commerce Street | 713-224-0984 |
| Pam Lychner State Jail | 2350 Atascocita Road | 281-454-5036 **100 |