Hale County Public Records / Hale County Arrest Records

Hale County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Hale County in 2026

HaleRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Hale County, Texas. Members of the public may find booking details, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Available record categories may include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, criminal case numbers, and charge classifications. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the originating agency and the disposition of the case.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are currently available to members of the public seeking arrest record information in Hale County.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Hale County Sheriff's Office, registered with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, is the primary custodian of booking and arrest records for incidents occurring within county jurisdiction. The Sheriff's Office maintains a jail roster that is updated on a regular basis and reflects current custody status, charges, and bond information for individuals held at the Hale County Detention Center. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about recent bookings. The Arresting Agency ORIs list maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety confirms that DPS Hale County Arrest Reporting is an active reporting entity, meaning arrest data from this jurisdiction is submitted to the state criminal history repository.

2. Local Police Departments

The City of Plainview Police Department serves as the primary municipal law enforcement agency within Hale County. Arrest logs and press releases containing arrest information are periodically made available through the department. Members of the public seeking records from city-level arrests should direct requests to the Plainview Police Department's records division.

Plainview Police Department
500 W. 5th Street
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 296-1182
City of Plainview

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Court cases arising from arrests in Hale County are filed in the district and county courts located in Plainview. Members of the public may search for associated court cases using the Texas Judicial Branch Ad-Hoc case search tool, which allows queries by defendant name, case number, and court type. This resource links arrest events to formal criminal proceedings and reflects charge filings, hearing dates, and case dispositions.

Hale County District Clerk
500 Broadway, Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Hale County District Clerk

Hale County Clerk
500 Broadway, Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5261
Hale County Clerk

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the statewide criminal history repository through its Crime Records Service. Members of the public may submit a name-based criminal history search request through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. This database includes arrest and disposition information submitted by law enforcement agencies across Texas, including those in Hale County. A fee of $3.00 per name-based search is currently assessed for public requests submitted online.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:
1900 Columbia Street
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5300
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hale County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with Texas Government Code standards.

Clerk of Court:
500 Broadway, Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Case files may be inspected at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Certified copies are available for a fee.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Hale County Sheriff's Office at 1900 Columbia Street, Plainview, TX 79072. Requests should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of birth, date of arrest if known, booking number if available, and the requestor's full contact information. Payment for applicable copy fees should be included with the request. Processing time varies based on volume and record availability.

By Phone:

The Hale County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (806) 291-5300 during regular business hours. Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available. Detailed record information is not released by phone and requestors may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated investigative materials through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas directed to the custodian of records compel production of documents not otherwise available through routine public access. Records obtained through legal proceedings are governed by applicable court rules and protective orders.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Plainview PD, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Hale County

Arrest records in Hale County are public records under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552.001, establishes that government records are presumed open to the public unless a specific exception applies. Arrest records, booking logs, and jail rosters maintained by the Hale County Sheriff's Office and the Plainview Police Department are subject to this presumption of openness. The policy reflects the state's commitment to government transparency, public safety awareness, and accountability in law enforcement.

Arrest records serve multiple legitimate public purposes, including community awareness of law enforcement activity, support for journalism and academic research, use in background screening processes, and reference in legal proceedings. The Texas Public Information Act affirms that "it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Texas Family Code provisions
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access by court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities are protected
Confidential informant information is exempt
Victim identifying information may be restricted in certain offense categories
Records pertaining to participants in witness protection programs are not publicly accessible

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations exercising First Amendment press access rights
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable housing discrimination laws
Licensing agencies conducting fitness determinations
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance requirements
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act when obtaining records through consumer reporting agencies. Texas does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain municipalities have adopted local ordinances. A critical legal distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt, and use of arrest records without conviction in adverse employment or housing decisions may implicate state and federal anti-discrimination provisions.

What's in Hale County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Hale County law enforcement agencies contain several categories of information compiled at the time of booking and updated as the case progresses through the criminal justice system.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" designations
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race/ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public release)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest by street address or general area
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Plainview Police Department, or other)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information where applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges by statute
Texas Penal Code statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation where applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in public record releases
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Release date and time if the individual has been released
Release conditions where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following charging
Court jurisdiction (district court or county court at law)
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during investigation
Investigative techniques or methods
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted from public releases)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports contain detailed incident narratives and investigative information not included in booking records
Court records document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records reflect convictions and sentences imposed following adjudication
Background checks are comprehensive screenings drawing from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repository data

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Hale County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Hale County is governed by the Texas Public Information Act and applicable local fee schedules. Under Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies are authorized to charge for the actual cost of producing public records, including labor, overhead, and materials.

Current standard fees applicable to arrest record requests include the following:

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.10 per page
Certified copies	$1.00 per page (plus copy fee)
Name-based criminal history (DPS)	$3.00 per search (online)
Electronic records (where available)	Varies by agency
In-person inspection	No charge for inspection only

Members of the public may inspect records at no cost during regular business hours without requesting copies. Fees apply when physical or electronic copies are produced. Accepted payment methods at the Hale County Sheriff's Office and Clerk's offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices should be contacted to confirm current accepted payment methods.

Fee waivers may be available for requests made by indigent individuals or in cases where the release of information is determined to be primarily in the public interest rather than for a commercial purpose, pursuant to Texas Government Code provisions governing waiver of charges.

The Texas DPS criminal history name-based search, available through the Crime Records Service, is currently assessed at $3.00 per search for members of the public submitting requests online. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether a record is found.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Hale County

Texas law provides two primary legal mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expunction (legal erasure) and nondisclosure (sealing). These remedies are distinct in their effect and eligibility requirements.

Expunction results in the physical destruction or return of all records and files relating to an arrest. Following a granted expunction order under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories are required to destroy or return all records pertaining to the arrest. The individual may thereafter legally deny that the arrest occurred. Expunction is available in circumstances including:

Arrest without charges being filed
Charges that were dismissed
Acquittal at trial
Conviction that was subsequently overturned
Completion of certain deferred adjudication dispositions for Class C misdemeanors
Pardons issued by the Governor

Nondisclosure (sealing) restricts public access to criminal records but does not result in destruction. Records subject to an order of nondisclosure are removed from public databases and may not be disclosed to the general public or most employers, though law enforcement agencies and certain licensing bodies retain access. Nondisclosure is available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for eligible offenses.

Steps to Pursue Expunction or Nondisclosure:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case information through the Hale County District Clerk
Determine eligibility based on the offense type, case disposition, and applicable waiting periods
File a petition for expunction or motion for nondisclosure in the court of original jurisdiction (Hale County District Court or County Court at Law)
Serve all relevant agencies named in the petition, including the Sheriff's Office, arresting agency, DPS, and the Office of Court Administration
Attend the scheduled hearing; the court will grant or deny the petition based on statutory eligibility
Upon entry of the order, each named agency is required to comply within the timeframe specified by the court

Hale County District Court
500 Broadway
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226

Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
Phone: (512) 424-2474
Texas DPS Crime Records Service

Individuals seeking expunction or nondisclosure are advised to consult with a licensed Texas attorney, as eligibility determinations involve complex statutory analysis and procedural requirements.

What Happens After Arrest in Hale County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest within Hale County, the arrested individual is transported to the Hale County Detention Center located at 1900 Columbia Street, Plainview, TX 79072. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county. Individuals arrested by the Plainview Police Department within city limits are also processed through the county detention facility.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the detention facility, the booking process is initiated. This process typically requires one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps in the booking process include:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights if not previously administered
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to state and federal databases
Criminal history and outstanding warrant checks conducted
Personal property inventoried and secured
Medical and brief mental health screening completed
Housing classification assigned

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Texas law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, and in no event later than 48 hours after arrest. At the initial appearance, the magistrate:

Formally notifies the individual of the charges
Advises the individual of the right to counsel
Determines bond or bail
Advises the individual of applicable rights

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the detention facility. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable administrative fees.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, typically ten percent of the total bond.

Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: The individual is released on a written promise to appear without monetary payment. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The individual is held without the possibility of bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release typically requires one to eight hours. The individual receives written conditions of release and a court date. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a capias warrant.

If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to facility rules including commissary, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Hale County Public Defender / Appointed Counsel:
500 Broadway
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226 (District Clerk for referral)

Individuals who are determined to be indigent are entitled to appointed counsel. Application for appointed counsel is made through the court at or following the initial appearance.

Charging Decision:

The Hale County District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Hale County District Attorney's Office
500 Broadway, Suite 320
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5228

Arraignment follows the filing of formal charges. The defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere. Most defendants enter an initial not guilty plea, and subsequent court dates are set for pretrial proceedings.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery exchanges between prosecution and defense, pretrial motions including motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, and pretrial conferences. Plea negotiations may result in a plea agreement at any stage prior to verdict.

Case resolution options include dismissal, diversion programs such as drug court or pretrial intervention, plea agreement, or trial. The Texas Judicial Branch provides online access to case status and scheduled hearing dates.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to magistrate appearance: Within 48 hours
Arraignment: Days to weeks following charging
Misdemeanor resolution: Typically two to six months
Felony resolution: Typically six months to over one year
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution

Rights Throughout Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to counsel
Right to speedy and public trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

Important Contacts:

Hale County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
1900 Columbia Street
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5300
Hale County Sheriff's Office

Hale County District Clerk
500 Broadway, Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5226

Hale County District Attorney's Office
500 Broadway, Suite 320
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 291-5228

TDCJ Formby Unit (state correctional facility serving the region)
998 County Road AA
Plainview, TX 79072
Phone: (806) 296-2448
Formby Unit – TDCJ

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than retained or appointed counsel
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Hale County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Hale County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial agency. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission establishes records retention schedules applicable to local government entities under the Texas Local Government Records Act. Law enforcement agencies and courts are required to maintain records in accordance with these schedules.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions: Records are retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, District Clerk, Texas DPS criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Felony conviction records are part of the permanent criminal history of the individual.

Misdemeanor Convictions: Local law enforcement and court records are retained permanently or for extended periods consistent with state retention schedules. The Texas DPS repository retains misdemeanor conviction data indefinitely.

Dismissed Charges: Arrest records associated with dismissed charges may remain in local law enforcement databases and the state repository unless the subject obtains an expunction order. Court records for dismissed cases are retained according to applicable schedules, which vary by offense classification.

Acquittals: Records of arrests resulting in acquittal at trial may remain in databases unless expunged. Court records are often retained permanently as part of the official court record.

Charges Not Filed: Booking records for arrests where no charges were filed are subject to shorter retention periods and may be eligible for expunction without a waiting period under Texas law.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office: Booking records and arrest reports are retained in accordance with the Texas Local Government Records Retention Schedule. Investigative files are retained based on offense classification and case outcome. The Sheriff's Records Division may be contacted at (806) 291-5300.

Plainview Police Department: Arrest records and incident reports are retained per the same state retention schedule. Records may vary in accessibility based on the age of the record and whether digitization has occurred.

District Clerk: Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor case files are retained for periods specified by the retention schedule based on disposition. Electronic court records are maintained on an ongoing basis and are accessible through the Texas courts judicial activity database.

Texas DPS Repository: The Texas DPS maintains arrest and disposition data submitted by all reporting agencies in the state, including those in Hale County. Retention is governed by state policy and is effectively permanent for conviction records.

FBI Database: The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain federal-level records that are accessible to law enforcement nationwide. Federal retention is permanent for most categories of criminal history data.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention across all databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: May remain unless expunged; not always reported on standard background checks
Expungement: Physical destruction or sealing of local records; state repository updates accordingly; FBI database may retain with a notation; removal timeframes vary by agency
No charges filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically or upon petition

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Conviction records may be reported indefinitely. Texas does not currently impose a statewide restriction on reporting conviction records beyond the federal framework. Third-party background check companies and commercial databases may retain arrest information beyond the periods maintained by official agencies and may not update records following expunction unless directly notified.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public seeking information about the retention status of a specific arrest record may contact the Hale County Sheriff's Records Division at (806) 291-5300 or submit a written public information request to the Sheriff's Office at 1900 Columbia Street, Plainview, TX 79072. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.