Brazos County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Brazos County
Arrest records in Brazos County are considered 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 and federal privacy laws. The Texas Public Information Act establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
The Brazos County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties. These records become public once an individual is booked into the Brazos County Detention Center. However, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Medical information
- Information related to juveniles
- Information pertaining to ongoing investigations
Requestors seeking arrest records may submit requests through the Brazos County Open Records Request process. The county is required to respond to such requests within 10 business days, either by providing the requested information or explaining why the information cannot be released.
Brazos County Sheriff's Office 1700 Highway 21 West Bryan, TX 77803 Phone: (979) 361-4900 Brazos County Sheriff's Office
What's in Brazos County Arrest Records
Brazos County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include several categories of information as mandated by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 2.17.
Standard information contained in Brazos County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Criminal charges filed
- Booking number and processing information
- Bail or bond amount, if applicable
- Custody status
- Mugshot photographs
- Fingerprint records
- Probable cause affidavits
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
Arrest records may also reference related case numbers and court docket information maintained by the Brazos County District Clerk. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form the basis for subsequent criminal proceedings in the Brazos County Courts.
It should be noted that arrest records reflect only that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Texas law and the U.S. Constitution, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Brazos County in 2025
Individuals seeking arrest records in Brazos County in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county has established specific procedures for public access to these records in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act.
To look up arrest records in person, requestors may visit:
Brazos County Sheriff's Office Records Division 1700 Highway 21 West Bryan, TX 77803 Phone: (979) 361-4900 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When requesting records in person, individuals should:
- Complete the official Public Information Request form
- Provide specific information about the record sought (name, date of arrest, case number)
- Present valid government-issued identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies ($0.10 per page for standard copies)
For written requests, individuals may submit a Public Information Request form via mail to the address above or electronically through the Brazos County Open Records portal. All requests must include:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred method of delivery (mail, email, in-person pickup)
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.221, the county must promptly produce public information in response to an application. "Promptly" means as soon as possible under the circumstances, within a reasonable time, without delay.
How To Find Brazos County Arrest Records Online
Brazos County provides digital access to certain arrest record information through several online platforms. These resources have been established to enhance public accessibility while maintaining compliance with Texas public records laws.
The primary online resource for arrest records is the Brazos County Detention Center Inmate Search. This database provides real-time information about individuals currently in custody, including:
- Inmate name and booking number
- Charges
- Bond information
- Court dates
- Custody status
For historical arrest records, the Brazos County District Clerk's Office maintains an online case search system. This system allows users to search for:
- Criminal case records
- Court proceedings
- Case dispositions
- Related arrest information
Additional online resources include:
- Bryan Police Department incident reports and arrest logs
- City of College Station warrant information
- Brazos County official website for departmental contact information
When utilizing online resources, users should note that:
- Information may be updated at varying intervals
- Not all arrest record details may be available online
- Some records may require formal requests through the Open Records process
- Older records may not be digitized and may require in-person requests
Can You Search Brazos County Arrest Records for Free?
Brazos County provides certain arrest record information at no cost to the public, while other records may require payment of statutory fees. The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code § 552.261) authorizes governmental bodies to charge for copies of public information.
Free access to arrest record information is available through:
- Brazos County Detention Center current inmate search
- Public access terminals at the Brazos County Sheriff's Office lobby
- Basic case information through the District Clerk's public access system
For these free services, users should note:
- Information is limited to basic arrest and custody details
- Records may not include complete case documentation
- Historical records may not be available through free services
Fee-based services include:
- Printed copies of arrest records ($0.10 per page)
- Certified copies of records ($5.00 per certification)
- Staff time for records that require redaction or extensive compilation (hourly rate applies after first 20 minutes)
- Mailing costs for requested documents
Brazos County Records Management 200 S. Texas Avenue, Suite 202 Bryan, TX 77803 Phone: (979) 209-0980 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How To Delete Arrest Records in Brazos County
The expungement or sealing of arrest records in Brazos County follows procedures established under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. These processes provide legal mechanisms for removing or restricting access to arrest records under specific circumstances.
Expungement (expunction) completely removes arrest records from public view and is available in cases where:
- An arrest did not lead to a formal charge
- Charges were dismissed
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- The individual was pardoned
- The statute of limitations expired without prosecution
Order of Nondisclosure (record sealing) restricts public access to records but maintains them for law enforcement purposes. This option is available for:
- Certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions
- Successfully completed deferred adjudication for eligible offenses
- First-time offenders meeting statutory requirements
To initiate either process, individuals must:
- File a petition with the Brazos County District Court
- Pay required filing fees (approximately $250-$300)
- Attend a scheduled court hearing
- If granted, ensure the order is distributed to all agencies holding records
Legal representation is strongly recommended for these procedures due to their complexity. The Brazos County District Clerk can provide petition forms but cannot offer legal advice regarding eligibility or procedures.
What Happens After Arrest in Brazos County?
Following an arrest in Brazos County, individuals enter a standardized criminal justice process governed by Texas law and local procedures. This process includes several key stages from initial custody to case disposition.
The post-arrest procedure typically follows this sequence:
-
Booking Process: Upon arrival at the Brazos County Detention Center, arrestees undergo:
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Background check
-
Magistration: Within 48 hours of arrest, individuals appear before a magistrate who:
- Informs them of charges
- Advises them of constitutional rights
- Sets bail or bond amounts
- Determines probable cause for warrantless arrests
-
Bail Determination: The Brazos County Courts establish bail based on:
- Nature and circumstances of the offense
- Ability to pay
- Prior criminal history
- Community ties
- Public safety considerations
-
Formal Charging: The Brazos County District Attorney's Office reviews the case and determines whether to:
- File formal charges
- Modify charges
- Decline prosecution
-
Court Proceedings: Cases proceed through the appropriate court:
- Misdemeanors: County Courts at Law
- Felonies: District Courts
Throughout this process, arrest records are generated and maintained by various agencies including the Sheriff's Office, District Clerk, and County Courts. These records become part of the individual's criminal history in Brazos County.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Brazos County?
Arrest records in Brazos County are maintained according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's retention schedules and local records management policies. These records are typically preserved for extended periods due to their administrative, legal, and historical value.
Standard retention periods for arrest records in Brazos County include:
- Arrest reports and booking information: 75 years from date of arrest
- Fingerprint cards and identification records: 75 years from date of creation
- Mugshot photographs: 75 years from date of arrest
- Incident reports related to arrests: 10 years after case closure
- Jail records and custody documentation: 5 years after release from custody
These retention periods may be extended indefinitely for:
- Arrests related to homicide cases
- Cases involving sex offenses
- Matters of significant historical interest
- Records subject to ongoing litigation holds
Records may only be destroyed prior to their scheduled retention period if:
- A court order for expungement is issued pursuant to Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
- The records are destroyed by court order following successful completion of an Order of Nondisclosure
- The records are proven to contain materially inaccurate information
The Brazos County Records Management Department oversees the maintenance and eventual disposition of these records in accordance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 203.
How to Find Mugshots in Brazos County
Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process at the Brazos County Detention Center are considered public records under Texas law, with certain exceptions. These images are maintained as part of the official arrest record and may be accessed through established procedures.
To obtain mugshot photographs, members of the public may:
- Submit a Public Information Request specifically requesting booking photographs to:
Brazos County Sheriff's Office Records Division 1700 Highway 21 West Bryan, TX 77803 Phone: (979) 361-4900 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
-
Complete the online Open Records Request form specifying the need for booking photographs
-
Visit the Sheriff's Office in person to submit a request
When requesting mugshots, individuals should provide:
- Full name of the arrested person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case or booking number (if available)
Requestors should be aware that:
- Fees may apply for reproduction of photographs ($1.00 per image is typical)
- Mugshots of juveniles are generally not available to the public
- Images related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
- Expunged or sealed records will not include accessible mugshots
The Bryan Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies may also maintain booking photographs for arrests they process before transfer to county facilities.
Lookup Arrest Records in Brazos County
Brazos County Detention Center
Brazos County Open Records Requests
District Clerk – Brazos County
City of College Station warrant information