Rockwall County Court
Rockwall County Arrest Records

Rockwall County, Texas Arrest Records

Rockwall County arrest records are law enforcement documents that reveal the apprehension and detention of a person. These records do not establish guilt; they only prove that an arrest has occurred. Generally, arrest records will be maintained by the agency that made the arrest. Depending on where the arrest occurred, records may be held at the Rockwall County Sheriff's Office or at local police departments, such as the Rockwall Police Department and the Royse City Police Department. The public dissemination of arrest records is governed under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA). This helps to ensure transparency, accountability, and public safety.

Texas law also recognizes "criminal offender record information," which is separate from arrest information. Unlike arrest records, criminal offender record information is not public and is governed under the Texas Government Code § 411.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Rockwall, Texas?

Yes. The Texas Public Information Act (PIA) is the legislation underpining the maintenance and dissemination of arrest records by law enforcement agencies. The Rockwall County Sheriff's office makes these records available to the public during normal business hours. Rockwall County residents and nonresidents may access arrest records online, in person, or in writing without an ID. The Sheriff's Office charges a fee for copying records. However, the PIA allows law enforcement agencies to deny public access to confidential records, such as:

Expunged arrest records
Arrest records of juveniles
The arrested person's medical records
Arrest records about an ongoing investigation
A peace officer's photograph whose disclosure will endanger their life or physical safety
Any arrest information that reveals a crime victim's or confidential source's identity or relates to the execution of an exconvict and child abuse investigations

What Do Public Rockwall County Arrest Records Contain?

Below are the public-facing elements of an arrest record under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA):

The arrestee's demographics, including name, SO number, race, gender, date of birth, age, hair and eye color, weight, height, aliases, and address
Booking details such as booking number, arrest date and time, release date and time, facility, holds, and arresting agency
Charges, charge disposition, case number, bond type, and bond amount

However, some arrest information may be withheld for privacy reasons. For example, any information that will reveal the identity of a confidential source or crime victim, endanger a person's life or physical safety, disclose a person's residential address, or concern an arresting officer's family members is deemed confidential.

Rockwall County, Texas Arrest Search

The best state-based pathway for locating arrest information is at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Anyone seeking arrest details of Rockwall County offenders in state prisons should use the following TDCJ-approved methods:

Online: The Inmate Information Search tool provides a convenient and safe way for members of the public to access arrest records of Rockwall County offenders incarcerated in a TDCJ facility. Users will need a name, gender, TDCJ number, SID number, or race to complete a successful search.
Email: Requesters should send the inmate's full name and 7-digit TDCJ number to pia@tdcj.texas.gov. They can provide the exact date of birth if the TDCJ number is unknown. However, provide the inmate's age and county of conviction if the date of birth is unknown. Interested persons should include the inmate's name in the email subject line. The TDCJ does not search for this service.
Telephone: Individuals may find inmate status and location by phone at (844) 512-0461, (512) 406-5202, (936) 295-6371, or (800) 535-0283. Requests should be made Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
In-person: Inquirers may visit any TDCJ facility during normal business hours to obtain copies of arrest records.

Individuals may also view or obtain copies of arrest records from federal law enforcement agencies. Some agencies issue Rockwall County arrest records in their custody to members of the public, while others release them only to the subjects of the records. For example, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides information to members of the public online through its Inmate Locator and in person at its local facilities. Record seekers will need a name or number to perform a search. Conversely, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) only issues its records to recordholders by mail, online, or through approved channelers for $18.

Rockwall County Inmate Locator

This is how to use the Rockwall County inmate locator to find arrest records:

Go to the Rockwall County Sheriff's Office official website.
Go to the left navigation pane and select "Detention Division" and select Inmate Lookup from the dropdown.
Enter an inmate's name or ID number in the search box or scroll through the inmate list to locate a record.
Filter the search by arrest date range, age range, or arrest agencies

Alternatively, requesters may visit the Sheriff's Office to obtain information about an arrested person. The record staff may require the person to complete a form to facilitate the search. The office is located at the address below:

Rockwall County Sheriff's Office

972 T L Townsend Drive

Rockwall, TX 75087

Phone: (972) 204-7001

Fax: (972) 204-7009

Active Warrant Search in Rockwall County

An arrest warrant is a written order commanding a peace officer or the person specifically named in it to arrest a person accused of an offense (Texas Code Crim. Proc. § 15.01). A magistrate usually issues them in the name of "The State of Texas," and must:

Specify the defendant's name if known or a description of the defendant if the name is unknown.
Name the offense the defendant is accused of.
Carry the magistrate's signature and the title of their office.

An arrest warrant issued by a magistrate must extend to any part of Texas, and the peace officer to whom they are directed will be authorized to execute it in any county in the state. The warrant may be forwarded by fax or other secure electronic means. The officer executing the warrant must bring the arrested person before the issuing magistrate without delay. However, the officer may bring the arrested person before a magistrate in the county where the arrest occurred if the issuing magistrate is in another county.

The Rockwall County Sheriff's Office is the custodian of arrest warrants and issues them to the public as authorized by the Texas Public Information Act (PIA). Record seekers may find arrest warrants by phone at (972) 204-7001or in person during business hours.

Agency / Resource	Purpose	Search Methods	Notes
Rockwall County Sheriff's Office	Maintains and serves warrants	Phone and in person
Rockwall County District Clerk and County Clerk	Issues and maintains warrants	Online and in person	Judicial Case Search portal
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Parole Division Warrant Section	Track warrants	Phone at (512) 406-5398, fax at (512) 406-5355, or in person	8610 Shoal Creek Blvd. Austin, TX 78757

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Rockwall County

The Rockwall County Sheriff's Office provides a free online option for members of the public to access arrest records. This makes arrest records available to anyone through the Inmate Lookup portal on a limited basis. The search criteria include name or ID number. Users may provide an arrest date range, an age range, or an arrest agency to narrow their searches. Most online requesters encounter limitations while using the free inmate lookup tool because it does not provide information on old or expunged arrest records. Also, they cannot use the information obtained from the database for official purposes. However, they find it easy to navigate since the portal does not require a fee or ID.

Rockwall County Arrest Report

Some people think arrest reports are synonymous with arrest records, but they are different. Arrest reports are official documents created at the time of the arrest that explain the circumstances surrounding the incident. Conversely, arrest records are documents that prove that a person was apprehended and detained by a law enforcement officer. Arrest reports are confidential, while arrest records are available for public perusal.

Arrest records contain detailed information about the arrested person, the alleged offense, the arrest date, time, and location, the evidence collected, the officer's observations, the suspect's behavior, what happened during the arrest, and witness statements. Arrest records contain the arrestee’s identifying information, charges, case number, booking details, mugshot, and arrest date.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Rockwall County

According to Tex. Code Crim. Proc. § 55A, only arrest persons whose cases were dismissed, quashed, or charges were not filed are eligible for expungement in Rockwall County. Eligible individuals must visit the Rockwall County District Clerk’s office to get the Petition for Expunction of Criminal Records (Charges dismissed or quashed) or Petition for Expunction of Criminal Records (Charges not filed) Form. Afterward, complete the form and include the names, mailing addresses, and email addresses of all the law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest. Call the clerk to inquire about the filing fee, and those who cannot afford it should complete the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs Form and file it with the petition form at the District Clerk's office. The clerk may provide a hearing date at the time of filing or send the petitioner a notice with the hearing date, time, and location. The notice will be sent to all relevant agencies. The hearing is usually 30 days from the filing date. Complete an Order Granting Expunction of Criminal Records (Charges not Filed) or Order Granting Expunction of Criminal Records (Charges Dismissed or Quashed and Additional Arrests with Charges not Filed) Form and bring it to the hearing. During the hearing, the judge will sign the order if the petitioner meets the eligibility criteria. After the judge signs the order, the petitioner should take it to the clerk's office and file it. They should also get copies of the signed order from the clerk, and a small fee may apply for certified copies. Copies of the signed order will also be sent to all relevant agencies involved in the arrest.

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

Law enforcement agencies in Rockwall County have an obligation under Texas Law to remove a person's arrest records from their databases upon receipt of an expungement order for that record. However, third-party sites may still have such records in their database because they will not be notified of the expungement. In such cases, individuals may contact the third-party site displaying the arrest record and submit a copy of the expungement order to request removal of the record from the site. Also, interested persons may seek assistance from a lawyer with the matter.