Texas records over 560,000 arrests annually, with Smith County accounting for approximately 4,100 of them. Per the Texas Public Records Law, most arrest records are publicly accessible for a fee, typically up to $20 per request. However, certain records are restricted, including those related to juveniles, ongoing investigations, child welfare matters, and expunged records. When access is generally limited, persons directly involved in the case, their legal representatives, authorized government agencies, and the Smith County District Attorney's Office may still be able to obtain the records.
Smith County provides public access to arrest records through several official agencies, including:
The Smith County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining arrest records for all incidents within the county. Individuals can request these records by either mailing a written request or visiting the Office in person at:
Smith County Sheriff's Office
227 North Spring Avenue
Tyler, TX 75702
Records may also be accessed online through the county's public information request portal. For further assistance, contact the Records Custodian at (903) 590-2661.
To obtain arrest records in Smith County, individuals should contact the Police Department that made the arrest. When submitting a request, it is important to provide key details, such as the individual's full name, reason for arrest, date of the incident, and location of the arrest.
Many Police Departments in Smith County offer online access to their arrest records for added convenience. Major Departments in the county include:
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains arrest and criminal records from law enforcement agencies across the state, including those in Smith County. Individuals seeking arrest records can access them online through the Texas DPS Criminal History Search Portal or submit a completed CR-42 request form by mail to:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Division
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
A standard processing fee of $25 typically applies, and processing times may vary depending on the method of request and current backlog. For additional information, contact the Texas DPS Crime Records Division at (512) 424-2474.
Court records in Smith County are generated when arrest charges are formally presented in court. To obtain these records, interested persons may contact the Smith County District Clerk's Office if the case is a felony or the County Clerk's Office if the case is a misdemeanor.
Criminal case records may be searched through the Tyler Odyssey Portal, the county's official judicial records search system. Users can search using details such as the individual's name, case number, or other relevant identifiers. For physical requests, visit the Clerk's Office at:
Smith County District Clerk's Office
100 North Broadway
Room 204
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-1660
Additionally, third-party websites like InfoTracer offer a faster and often more cost-effective way to access these records.
Smith County reports an arrest rate of 16.99 per 1,000 residents. Below are additional key arrest statistics for the county:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 11 |
| Negligent Manslaughter | 3 |
| Robbery | 28 |
| Rape | 12 |
| Aggravated Assault | 154 |
| Simple Assault | 638 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 51 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 35 |
| Larceny | 333 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 2,116 |
| Total Crimes Against Property | 2,050 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 4,166 |
Source: Texas Department of Public Safety
It is situated in Smith county, Texas with a total number of 291 employees - 37 female, 127 male officers and 127 civilians. Smith County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is TX2120000, it belongs to the West South Central division in the South region with a region code of Region III.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lindale Police Department | 201 N Main St PO Box 130 | (903)882-3313 |
| Tyler Police Department | 711 W Ferguson St | 903-531-1090 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Smith County TX Juvenile Detention Center | 2630 Morningside Drive | 903-535-0850 |