PerTex. Code Crim. Proc. § 15.22, a person is arrested when placed under restraint or taken into custody by an officer executing a warrant of arrest or without a warrant. Following an arrest, the arrested person is taken to theEl Paso County Jail AnnexorDowntown Detention Facilityfor processing. They are then brought before the El Paso County Magistrate in person or via an electronic broadcast system within 48 hours of the arrest. At the first court appearance, the judge will inform the arrestee of the accusation against them, any supporting affidavit, and their right to retain counsel, remain silent, and have an examining trial. The magistrate will appoint a counsel for the arrestee within 24 hours after the arrestee requests the appointment of counsel. The eligibility of the arrestee for bail will be discussed. If the arrestee is eligible, they will pay and be released from jail until after trial, but the arrestee will remain in custody if bail is denied. After trial, a sentencing hearing will be scheduled if the defendant is found guilty.
TheEl Paso County Sheriff's Office(EPCSO) is the official keeper of arrest records. These public records can be inspected or copied online or in person. Individuals who want to retrieveEl Paso County Court Recordsabout arrested persons must contact the court where the case was handled.
Are Arrest Records Public in El Paso County?
Yes. TheTexas Public Information Actgrants citizens the right to inspect and copy arrest records maintained by El Paso law enforcement agencies. However, certain arrest records are not open to the public if they disclose a confidential source's identity, constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or endanger a person's life or physical safety. Typically, the following arrest records are deemed confidential in El Paso County:
- Investigative records
- Arrest records of juvenile offenders
- An arrested person's medical records
- Arrest records associated with child abuse investigations
- The arresting officer's home address and family member information
What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?
Texas law authorizes law enforcement agencies to disseminate arrest records to citizens. Public arrest records contain the following information:
- The arrested person's full name
- Race, sex
- Height and weight
- Hair and eye color
- Arrest date
- Booking date and number
- Release date
- Arresting agency
- Arrest charges
- Warrant number and issuing authority
- Disposition
- Bond/type
- Bond number, date, amount, and status
- Bondsman's name
- Offense date
- Name of holding facility
El Paso County Crime Rate
TheTexas Department of Public Safety(DPS)Crime Reportrecords approximately 13,708 crimes in El Paso County in 2022. This was an increase from the11,905 crimesrecorded in 2021. The topmost offenses recorded in 2022 were larceny (8,148), assault (1,938), auto theft (1,710), and burglary (1,195).
El Paso County Arrest Statistics
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) 'sCrime by Jurisdictionreport reveals that 2,088 arrests occurred in El Paso in 2022. This was an increase from the 1,605 arrests recorded in 2021. Most of the arrests were for crimes like larceny (768), assault (625), burglary (293), auto theft (178), and robbery (154).
Find El Paso County Arrest Records
TheTexas Department of Criminal Justice(TDCJ) permits citizens to access arrest records online, byemail, byphone, or in person at itsfacilities. Online requests can be made using theInmate Information Searchtool. A search can be conducted by last name, first name, TDCJ number, SID number, gender, or race.
Email requesters must send the inmate's full name and 7-digit TDCJ number to pia@tdcj.texas.gov. Provide the exact date of birth if the TDCJ number is unknown. Provide an approximate age and county of conviction if the exact date of birth is unknown. The inmate's name should be stated in the email's subject line. Requesters can also request arrest records by phone from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m, at the following offices:
- Board of Pardons and Paroles status line at (844) 512-0461.
- Parole Division status line in Austin at (512) 406-5202. Provide a TDCJ or SID# or date of birth.
- Inmate Locator/General Information Line - Huntsville at (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283.
Requesters can also retrieve El Paso County arrest records from federal law enforcement agencies. Most agencies issue arrest records online, by mail, and in person at their local offices. Examples of such agencies are:
TheFederal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)has anInmate Locatorwhere individuals can locate El Paso County offenders located in federal prisons. The search parameters are by number or name. Requesters can also contact anyBOP facilityto request arrest records.
TheFederal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) provides arrest recordsonline, by mail, and throughapproved channelersthrough itsCriminal Justice Information Services Division(CJIS). Online requesters must visit a participatingU.S. Post Office locationto submit their fingerprints electronically as part of electronic requests. Processing time for online requests is 15 days, while for mail requests is 20 days. The CJIS charges $18 for arrest records payable by credit card using theCredit Card Payment Form, money order, or certified check. Mail applicants must submit a completedApplicant Information Formto:
FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306
TheU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) disseminates arrest records online and in person at itslocal field officesanddetention facilities. Online requests must be made via theOnline Detainee Locator System. The search criteria are by A-Number or biographical information.
TheUnited States Capitol Police(USCP) provides arrest summary reportsonlineand by mail. Filter online requests by CFN number, crime date, crime summary, and crime type. Mail requesters must submit a completedRequest Formto:
United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20510
Free Arrest Record Search in El Paso County
The El Paso County Court has aJail Recordsportal where individuals can freely find arrest information of current detainees or those released within the past 5 days. The search criteria are by defendant or booking number. Individuals can also find free arrest records on city police department websites. Local police departments have arrest logs on their news release pages. For example, the Socorro Police Department publishes arrest information in theArrest Logsection of its website for free.
Alternatively, requesters can retrieve arrest records online from third-party vendors. These vendors provide free access to basic arrest information in their database. However, comprehensive arrest information attracts a small fee ranging from $2.95 to $4.95 for 7 days of unlimited access or a monthly subscription charge between $19.95 and $24.95.
Get El Paso County Criminal Records
A criminal record, also known as a "criminal history record" and "background checks," is an official document that provides information on an arrested person's arrests, prosecutions, and disposition. Record seekers can get El Paso County criminal records at local, county, and state law enforcement agencies.
Local police departments disseminate criminal records to interested persons in person or by mail at their offices. For example, individuals can request background checks by mail from theCity of El Paso Police Department(EPPD) during office hours. This service costs $6 and is payable in cash, money order, or check. Requesters must Include their postal mailing (return) address in the mail package. Processing time is 10 business days. The mailing address is
El Paso Police Department (EPPD)
Records Division
911 N. Raynor Street
El Paso, TX 79903
TheEl Paso County Clerk's Criminal Divisionalso issues criminal records electronically. To request copies of criminal records, inquirers must email a completedBackground Check Request Formto clkcrimmail@epcounty.com.
El Paso County criminal records can be requested from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) 'sCrime Records Division(CRD). Citizens can conduct a fingerprint-based search or a name-based search. To conduct a fingerprint-based search, review theCriminal History Informationdocument, make an appointment, and visit any DPSFAST locationto get a copy of the criminal record. Fingerprint-based criminal record check costs $15 with an additional $10 fingerprinting fee when utilizing FAST. Name-based search can be done using theCriminal History Conviction Name Searchportal. Requesters must create an account to use this portal, and this service costs $10. The DPS takes about 10 business days to process criminal record requests.
El Paso County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records
El Paso County arrest records are slightly different from criminal records. This is because criminal records are more comprehensive than arrest records. Arrest records are documents that contain information collected from a person when taken and booked in jail by a law enforcement officer. PerTex. Govt. Code §411.082(2), criminal records are information collected by a criminal justice agency about an arrested person that consists of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, and other formal criminal charges and their dispositions.
How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?
In El Paso County, arrest information remains on a criminal history record indefinitely. Therefore, citizens can only have arrest records erased or sealed through expungement. However, theTexas State Library & Archives Commission(TSLAC) provides information on theRetention Scheduleof some arrest records:
- Arrest reports are retained for 75 years.
- Police activity logs or dockets associated with an arrest are kept for 2 years.
- Offense investigation records are destroyed after 75 years or until the individual's death date.
- Offense records (first-degree and capital felonies) of cleared and dismissed cases are retained for 50 years.
- Offense records (second and third-degree felonies) of cleared and dismissed cases are retained for 10 years.
- Offense records (class A and B misdemeanors and state jail felonies) of cleared and dismissed cases are destroyed after 2 years.
- Clery act reporting (crime log and statistics) relating to arrests for liquor and drug law violations and illegal weapons possession are retained for 7 years.
- Arrest reports and citations for Class C misdemeanors and unclassified violations of state or local law punishable by fine only are destroyed after six (6) months.
Expunge El Paso County Arrest Records
In El Paso County, expungement is called expunction. It can permanently remove entries from a person's criminal history record. Only eligible crimes can be expunged in El Paso County pursuant toTex. Code Crim. Proc. § 55:
- Some qualifying misdemeanor juvenile offenses.
- Crimes related to alcohol-related offenses for which a minor was convicted
- The convicted person receives a pardon or is granted relief due to actual innocence.
- Felony or misdemeanor charges where the arrested person is found not guilty by a judge or jury.
- Unlawful carrying of weapons crimes committed before September 1, 2021, which falls underTexas Penal Code Section 46.02(a).
- Charges for the crime did not lead to a final conviction and are no longer pending, with no court-ordered community supervision (except Class C misdemeanor offenses), provided that:
- There is no prior expunction of arrest records and files.
- A designated time has passed since the arrest date (this period varies by offense).
- No indictment or other charging instrument has been filed against the person after the arrest or case was dismissed or quashed.
- The crime can no longer be prosecuted because the statute of limitations has expired.
- The time for granting a petition for discretionary review has expired, the person has been tried and convicted but later acquitted by the court of criminal appeals, or the government office authorized to prosecute the offense recommends the expunction.
- The person received a pardon for the offense from the Governor of Texas or the U.S. President.
Applicants who want to expunge arrest records must file a Petition for Expunction with theEl Paso County District Courtrequesting that the court grant an Order for Expunction. The filing fee is $350 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. § 102.006). The District Court will schedule a hearing within 30 days after the filing of the petition and serve a notice of the hearing by certified mail to theappropriate law enforcement agencies. The Court does not charge additional fees to serve the Notice of Hearing and Final Order to agencies that are part of their electronic system. However, additional fees apply to serving the notice to agencies that are not part of the court's electronic system. The court charges $7 per agency plus a copy of the petition & order setting hearing ($1 per page) for notice of hearing. After the notification, the District Court will conduct a hearing to allow the law enforcement agencies an opportunity to contest the expunction. The expunction request will be granted if the petitioner meets all necessary requirements. The petitioner must have drafted an Order for Expunction before the hearing, which should be presented to the judge for signing. The signed order will be served to all law enforcement agencies with records or files relating to the expunged offense. Serving the Final Order (Granted/Denied) costs $7 per agency plus a copy of the order ($1 per page) and certification (5 per document). After being served, the agencies can delete or return the records to the District Court Clerk.
El Paso County Arrest Warrants
PerTex. Code Crim. Proc. § 15.01, an arrest warrant is a written order issued by a magistrate granting apeace officeror someone specially named the right to arrest a person accused of an offense. An arrest warrant specifies the person's name to be arrested if known or a specific description of the person if unknown. It also contains the name of the offense committed and the magistrate's signature and office. An arrest warrant issued in El Paso County is valid across Texas, except a city major issues it. Per Tex. Code Crim. Proc. § 15.17, the officer who executed an arrest warrant must bring the accused before the magistrate that issued the warrant within 48 hours. An arrest may be made on any day, at any time during the day or night.
El Paso County Arrest Warrant Search
Record seekers can conduct arrest searches at City Municipal Courts. For example, theCity of El Paso Municipal Courtpermits citizens to verify if they have warrants online via theCitation & Warrant Search, in person at any of the court's five (5) locations, or by phone at (915) 212-0221. Online requesters can conduct a search by party, citation number, or case number.
Individuals can also visit the El Paso County Sheriff'sCriminal Warrants and Fugitive Apprehension Unitto request warrant records. For more information, contact the Unit by phone at (915) 546-2214 or fax at (915) 546-2026.
TheEl Paso County Courthas anOnline Records Searchportal where individuals can find arrest warrant information. Upon opening the portal, click "Criminal Case Records" and search by case, defendant, citation, or attorney.
Do El Paso County Arrest Warrants Expire?
El Paso County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active until a law enforcement officer arrests the person named in the warrant.
