Grimes County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Grimes County
Arrest records in Grimes County are generally available to the public under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552, establishes the right of members of the public to access government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies. Under this framework, basic arrest information — such as the name of the person arrested, the offense charged, and the date and location of the arrest — is presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exception applies.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a finding of criminal liability. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt following a plea or trial. Under Texas law, an individual may have an arrest record without any corresponding conviction, and such records remain subject to public disclosure unless expunged or sealed by court order.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide. The Data Reporting Improvement Plan for Grimes County outlines the obligations of local agencies to report arrest data to the DPS Crime Records Service within seven days of booking, as required by Article 60.08(d) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. This reporting requirement ensures that arrest records are accurately maintained and accessible through state-level systems.
What's in Grimes County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by Grimes County law enforcement agencies and the county jail typically contain a standardized set of data fields. The specific contents of a record may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the offense.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Race, sex, height, weight, and eye and hair color
- Current residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Grimes County Sheriff's Office, Navasota Police Department)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charge or charges filed
- Offense level (felony or misdemeanor) and degree
- Texas Penal Code section cited
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of the warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned at the county jail
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was booked
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, surety, cash)
- Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
- Bond status and any conditions of release
Court Information:
- Case number assigned by the clerk's office
- Court of jurisdiction (district court, county court, or justice court)
- Scheduled hearing or arraignment dates
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records and booking photographs (mugshots)
- Prior arrest history if compiled in the same record
- Disposition information if the case has been adjudicated
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Grimes County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain arrest records in Grimes County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the Correct Agency. Arrest records are maintained by the arresting agency, the Grimes County Sheriff's Office, and the county or district clerk depending on whether charges were filed. Determine which office holds the record before submitting a request.
Step 2 — Submit a Public Information Request. Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, governmental bodies are required to promptly produce public records upon written request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the relevant agency.
Step 3 — Contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office. For records related to arrests made by the Sheriff's Office or bookings at the county jail, members of the public should contact:
Grimes County Sheriff's Office 270 FM 149 W, Anderson, TX 77830 (936) 873-2151 Grimes County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Step 4 — Contact the District Clerk for Court-Filed Records. When charges have been formally filed, associated records are maintained by the District Clerk of Grimes County, which handles all civil and criminal cases filed in the 12th and 506th Judicial District Courts.
Grimes County District Clerk 100 Main Street, Anderson, TX 77830 (936) 873-4410 District Clerk – Grimes County
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Step 5 — Pay Applicable Fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records. Fee schedules are established pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261 and are available upon request from each office.
How To Find Grimes County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to Grimes County arrest and court records without requiring an in-person visit.
Members of the public may access County Court Records Online through the official Grimes County website. This portal allows users to search for case information associated with county court proceedings, including criminal matters handled at the county level.
For district court cases, the Texas Office of Court Administration maintains the Tyler Technologies Odyssey Portal, which provides online access to case records filed in participating Texas district courts. Users may search by name, case number, or date range.
The Texas Department of Public Safety operates the Secure DPS online portal, through which members of the public may submit requests for criminal history records. The portal at txdps.state.tx.us allows name-based searches for a nominal fee.
For justice court matters, the Justice of the Peace courts in Grimes County handle civil, criminal, and administrative hearings at the precinct level. Case information from these courts may be available through the county's online records system.
Grimes County Justice of the Peace 270 FM 149 W, Anderson, TX 77830 (936) 873-4400 Justice of the Peace – Grimes County
How To Search Grimes County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain Grimes County arrest records at no cost through the following methods.
The official Grimes County website provides access to county court case records online without charge. Users may search for case information by entering a name or case number into the available search interface.
In-person inspection of public records at the county clerk's office, district clerk's office, or sheriff's office is available at no cost during regular business hours. Members of the public are entitled to inspect records without paying a fee; charges apply only when copies are requested.
The Texas Department of Public Safety provides limited public access to criminal history information through its online portal. While a fee applies for certified criminal history reports, basic case status information accessible through court portals is generally available without charge.
Grimes County Clerk's Office 100 Main Street, Anderson, TX 77830 (936) 873-4423 Grimes County Clerk
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Grimes County
Under Texas law, arrest records may be removed from public access through two distinct legal processes: expunction (permanent destruction of the record) and nondisclosure (sealing the record from public view while allowing certain government agencies to retain access). These remedies are not interchangeable, and eligibility depends on the outcome of the underlying criminal case.
Expunction is governed by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. An individual may petition for expunction of an arrest record in the following circumstances:
- The arrest did not result in charges being filed
- Charges were filed but subsequently dismissed
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- A conviction was reversed on appeal and the case was dismissed
- The individual completed a pretrial diversion program, where applicable
Nondisclosure is available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for eligible offenses. Under Texas Government Code § 411.071 through § 411.0775, a court may issue an order of nondisclosure that prohibits public entities from disclosing the record to the general public, though law enforcement agencies and certain licensing boards retain access.
Steps to Pursue Expunction or Nondisclosure:
- Determine eligibility based on the case outcome and waiting periods prescribed by statute.
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and case disposition from the District Clerk's office.
- File a petition for expunction or nondisclosure in the district court that has jurisdiction over the original case.
- Serve all relevant agencies named in the petition, including the arresting agency and the DPS.
- Attend the scheduled hearing; if the court grants the order, all named agencies are required to destroy or seal the records as directed.
Members of the public are advised to consult with a licensed Texas attorney to assess eligibility and navigate the petition process.
What Happens After Arrest in Grimes County?
The criminal justice process in Grimes County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
Arrest and Booking. Upon arrest, the individual is transported to the Grimes County Jail, where booking procedures are completed. This includes recording identifying information, photographing, fingerprinting, and entering the arrest into the county's records system. Pursuant to Article 60.08(d) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, this information must be reported to the DPS Crime Records Service within seven days.
Magistration. Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual must be brought before a magistrate, who informs the person of the charges, advises them of their rights, and sets bail conditions. Justice of the Peace courts in Grimes County perform magistration functions at the precinct level.
Charging Decision. The Grimes County District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges. If charges are filed, the case is assigned to either the 12th or 506th Judicial District Court for felony matters, or to the County Court at Law for misdemeanor matters.
Arraignment. The defendant appears before the court, enters a plea, and the court addresses pretrial matters including bond conditions and discovery timelines.
Pretrial Proceedings and Trial. The case proceeds through pretrial hearings, motions, and, if not resolved by plea agreement, a jury or bench trial.
Disposition. The case concludes with acquittal, dismissal, or conviction and sentencing. Disposition information is recorded by the District Clerk and reported to the DPS for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Grimes County?
Arrest records in Grimes County are subject to retention schedules established under Texas state law. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) publishes the Local Schedule PS: Retention Schedule for Records of Public Safety Agencies, which governs how long law enforcement records must be maintained.
Under current retention requirements:
- Arrest and booking records for cases resulting in conviction are generally retained permanently or for a minimum of 10 years following the end of the sentence.
- Arrest records for cases not resulting in conviction are retained for a minimum of two years from the date of arrest, unless an expunction order directs earlier destruction.
- Incident and offense reports are typically retained for a minimum of five years.
- Fingerprint cards and booking photographs are retained in accordance with the same schedule as the underlying arrest record.
Different agencies within Grimes County — including the Sheriff's Office, the Navasota Police Department, and the constables' offices — each maintain their own records in accordance with the applicable state schedule. The arresting agency ORI data maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety identifies all law enforcement agencies in Grimes County that report arrest data to the state.
Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing legal proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Agencies are prohibited from destroying records ahead of the mandated retention period absent a valid court order.
How to Find Mugshots in Grimes County
What Mugshots Are. A mugshot is a standardized booking photograph taken by jail personnel at the time an individual is processed into custody. Mugshots are part of the official booking record and document the individual's appearance at the time of arrest.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained. In Grimes County, booking photographs are maintained by the Grimes County Sheriff's Office and the county jail. These photographs are associated with the individual's booking record and are stored in the jail management system.
Finding Mugshots. Members of the public seeking a specific booking photograph may submit a public information request to the Grimes County Sheriff's Office. Requests should include the full name of the individual, the approximate date of arrest, and any known booking or case number to facilitate retrieval.
Can They Be Found Online. At present, Grimes County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database. Some third-party websites aggregate booking photographs from public records; however, the accuracy and currency of information on such sites is not guaranteed by any government agency.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially. Official copies of booking photographs may be obtained by submitting a written public information request to:
Grimes County Sheriff's Office 270 FM 149 W, Anderson, TX 77830 (936) 873-2151 Grimes County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access. Booking photographs associated with juvenile arrests are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007 and are not subject to public disclosure. Additionally, if an individual has obtained an expunction order, all agencies named in the order are required to destroy associated photographs, and those images may no longer be disclosed to the public.