Brazoria County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Brazoria County
Arrest records in Brazoria County are classified as public information pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations established by state law. The public nature of these records serves the following purposes:
- Promoting transparency in the criminal justice system
- Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
- Supporting public safety through information sharing
- Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes them available through established protocols. While these records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or other statutorily protected information as outlined in § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code.
Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, they document only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Texas law, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office 3602 County Road 45 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-2392 Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What's in Brazoria County Arrest Records
Brazoria County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following elements:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual (full name, date of birth, address)
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Criminal charges filed, including Texas Penal Code citations
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint records
- Case or incident number for reference
- Bail or bond information, if applicable
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of the case (if available)
In accordance with § 411.135 of the Texas Government Code, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, pursuant to § 58.008 of the Texas Family Code, records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 17 years of age) are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and may not be included in publicly accessible arrest records.
The Brazoria County District Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests that proceed to prosecution, which may provide additional information about case outcomes.
Brazoria County District Clerk 111 E. Locust St., Suite 500 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-1355 Brazoria County District Clerk Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Brazoria County in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Brazoria County as of 2025. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following procedures:
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In-person requests can be submitted at the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requesters must complete a Public Information Request form and provide identification. Processing times typically range from 5-10 business days depending on request volume.
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Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Division. These requests must include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Requester's contact information
- Notarized signature if requesting another person's complete record
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Online portal access is available through the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office website. The portal allows for basic searches using name and date of birth. Digital copies of records may be available for immediate download or sent via secure email.
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Third-party vendors contracted with Brazoria County may provide access to certain arrest record information for a fee. These services typically offer expedited processing.
Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, Rule § 27.1, requesters may be required to pay reasonable fees for record retrieval and copying. Current fee schedules are posted at the Sheriff's Office and on the county website.
The Texas Department of Public Safety also maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes Brazoria County arrests, accessible through their Criminal History Record Information system.
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Records Division 3602 County Road 45 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-2392, ext. 2 Brazoria County Sheriff's Records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
How To Find Brazoria County Arrest Records Online
Brazoria County provides digital access to arrest records through several online platforms. Members of the public may access these records remotely through the following methods:
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The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search portal that displays current booking information and recent arrests. This resource is updated daily and includes basic arrest details and charges.
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The Brazoria County District Clerk's Office provides an online case search system where users can locate court cases associated with arrests. This system requires basic identifying information such as name and date of birth.
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The Brazoria County Jail Information System offers real-time custody status checks, including arrest date, charges, and bond information for currently incarcerated individuals.
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The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Search provides statewide arrest records that include Brazoria County data. This service requires registration and payment of statutory fees pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.135.
Users of these online systems should be aware that electronic records may not contain complete arrest information. Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code § 202.22, certain sensitive data elements may be redacted from online versions of arrest records. For comprehensive records, requesters may need to submit formal requests through official channels.
Online access to these systems is generally available 24 hours per day, with occasional maintenance periods typically scheduled during non-business hours.
Brazoria County Information Technology Department 451 N. Velasco, Suite 100 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-1600 Brazoria County IT Department Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Can You Search Brazoria County Arrest Records for Free?
Limited free options exist for searching Brazoria County arrest records. The availability of no-cost access varies by platform and information depth:
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The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office website provides a basic inmate lookup tool that displays current jail population and recent booking information at no charge. This resource includes name, booking date, charges, and bond amounts.
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The Brazoria County District Clerk offers free public access terminals located in the courthouse. These terminals allow visitors to search court cases related to arrests without fees. Users must visit during regular business hours.
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The Daily Jail Population Report, published online pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 351.904, lists individuals currently in custody and is available at no cost.
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Local public libraries in Brazoria County provide free internet access where residents can utilize the basic public-facing county databases.
While these free resources provide fundamental information, they typically offer limited search functionality and may not include historical records. More comprehensive searches, certified copies, or complete criminal history reports generally require payment of statutory fees as established by the Texas Department of Public Safety and Brazoria County Commissioners Court.
Requesters seeking extensive arrest history information may need to utilize fee-based services or submit formal public information requests that may incur copying and processing charges.
Brazoria County Law Library 111 E. Locust St., Suite 100 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-1230 Brazoria County Law Library Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How To Delete Arrest Records in Brazoria County
The process for removing arrest records in Brazoria County follows specific statutory procedures established under Texas law. Eligible individuals may pursue the following remedies:
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Expunction (complete removal) may be available under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 for arrests that did not result in conviction, resulted in acquittal, or were dismissed. Petitioners must file an application with the Brazoria County District Court and demonstrate eligibility under statutory criteria.
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Order of Nondisclosure (sealing from public view) may be granted pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 411 for certain offenses where deferred adjudication or probation was successfully completed. This remedy does not delete records but restricts public access.
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Juvenile record sealing follows procedures outlined in Texas Family Code § 58.256 for qualifying juvenile arrests. Applicants must petition the court that handled the original case.
The petition process typically requires:
- Filing appropriate legal documents with the Brazoria County District Clerk
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $250-$350)
- Notification to all agencies holding records
- Attendance at a court hearing
- Obtaining a signed court order if granted
Petitioners should be aware that certain offenses, particularly violent crimes and sexual offenses, may be statutorily ineligible for expunction or nondisclosure. Legal representation is strongly recommended but not required for this process.
Brazoria County District Attorney's Office 111 E. Locust St., Suite 408A Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-1230 Brazoria County District Attorney Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What Happens After Arrest in Brazoria County?
Following an arrest in Brazoria County, individuals enter a standardized processing sequence within the criminal justice system. This process typically includes:
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Booking procedures at the Brazoria County Detention Center involve:
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Collection of personal information
- Medical screening
- Property inventory
- Assignment to appropriate housing
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Magistration occurs within 48 hours of arrest pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 15.17, where:
- A judge informs the individual of charges
- Constitutional rights are explained
- Bail determinations are made
- Indigent defense applications may be completed
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Bail or detention decisions follow, with options including:
- Cash bail payment
- Surety bond through a licensed bondsman
- Personal recognizance release for qualifying cases
- Pretrial detention for certain offenses or circumstances
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Case filing with the Brazoria County District Attorney's Office, who determines:
- Whether to pursue prosecution
- Appropriate charge levels (misdemeanor or felony)
- Potential plea arrangements
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Court proceedings begin with arraignment and continue through:
- Pretrial hearings
- Discovery exchanges
- Motion hearings
- Trial (if applicable)
- Sentencing (upon conviction)
Throughout this process, arrest records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies, including the arresting department, Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, District Clerk, and Texas Department of Public Safety. These records become part of the individual's criminal history file accessible through the channels previously described.
Brazoria County Detention Center 3602 County Road 45 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-2333 Brazoria County Detention Center Hours: Visitation schedules vary by housing unit
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Brazoria County?
Arrest records in Brazoria County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under Local Schedule PS (Public Safety Records). These retention periods vary based on case disposition and offense severity:
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Records of felony arrests resulting in conviction or deferred adjudication are maintained permanently in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 13, § 7.125.
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Records of misdemeanor arrests resulting in conviction are retained for a minimum of 5 years after case completion, though Brazoria County typically maintains these records for 20 years.
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Arrest records for cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal are retained for a minimum of 3 years unless expunged through court order.
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Records related to Class C misdemeanors and fine-only offenses are typically maintained for 2 years after case disposition.
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Juvenile arrest records follow specialized retention schedules outlined in Texas Family Code § 58.264, with most records maintained until the individual reaches age 21.
Digital conversion of older paper records is ongoing, with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office maintaining electronic records dating back to approximately 1995. Older records may exist in microfilm or paper format with more limited accessibility.
Without court-ordered expunction or nondisclosure, these records remain accessible to authorized entities indefinitely, though practical accessibility may diminish for very old records not converted to digital formats.
Brazoria County Records Management Department 111 E. Locust St., Suite 105 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-1355 Brazoria County Records Management Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How to Find Mugshots in Brazoria County
Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process in Brazoria County may be accessed through several authorized channels. These photographic records are maintained as part of the official arrest documentation and are subject to the following access protocols:
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The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Records Division provides copies of booking photographs upon submission of a completed Public Information Request form. Requests must include the subject's full name and date of birth or booking number.
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The Brazoria County Jail Information System displays current inmate mugshots on its online portal for individuals currently in custody. Historical mugshots are not available through this system.
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Third-party vendors contracted with Brazoria County may provide access to mugshot databases for a fee, typically ranging from $10-$25 per search.
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Media organizations may obtain mugshots through formal requests to the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer for cases of public interest.
Requesters should note that pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain mugshots may be withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime. Additionally, juvenile mugshots (under age 17) are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.008 and not subject to public disclosure.
The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office typically processes mugshot requests within 10 business days. Expedited processing may be available for additional fees as established by county ordinance.
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer 3602 County Road 45 Angleton, TX 77515 Phone: (979) 864-2392, ext. 2308 Brazoria County Sheriff's Media Relations Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM