Search Free Denton County Arrest Records: Lookup Resource

Check into Denton County arrest records for free today. When seeking these records, knowing what tools and access methods are available can be very helpful. To effectively perform such a search with the desired results, familiarization with the relevant information and correct approach will be very useful.

This brief article provides vital information for conducting searches for arrest records in Denton County, Texas, using free online tools and resources.

How To Track Down Updated Denton County Arrest Records, Mugshots & Inmate Rosters for Free

The Public Information Act (PIA) of the State of Texas is a law that allows members of the public access to government public records.¹ All persons are allowed to search public databases of law enforcement and judicial agencies to inspect and obtain arrest records.

In law enforcement, there are different objectives that are accomplished by the various jurisdictional levels of agencies. For example, local uniformed police officers and county Sheriff’s deputies are more concerned with enforcing local traffic laws, deterring crime, and responding to calls from citizens who need immediate help. Whereas state and federal law enforcement agencies are more concerned with more serious inter and intra-state criminal activity, which requires operating in multiple jurisdictions.

When an arrest is made in Denton County, depending on the law enforcement agency that executes the apprehend, the booking process may take place at one of the county jails operated by the County Sheriff’s Department or at a local police department that operates a detention center. In either case, when the booking process takes place, the arrest record is originated. The law enforcement agency that executes the arrest will also maintain a police record.

Once the arrestee has been booked and is in custody at a jail facility, they are reclassified as an inmate. So long as the person is an inmate at the county jail facility, in most cases, he or she can be searched online, and information regarding the arrest can be obtained.

When the inmate is released from the custody of the county jail as a result of bail or dismissal, as the case tracks its way through the judicial process, the arrest record is made an integral part of the court case file. The original police/arrest record, however, remains on file with the Denton County Jail and the arresting law enforcement agency.

All law enforcement and judicial agencies in Denton County consolidate their records into one database. The county’s public website provides Free Online Search Resources.² The link labeled “Denton County Records” leads to the database search tool from which jail records can be searched.

Accessing the link label “Jail Records” sends the user to a search tool that is specifically used to search jail records. A search can be initiated by using only the first and last name of the arrestee being searched. The tool allows users to narrow down the search by entering additional data parameters including middle name, date of birth, date booked, and date released.

There is also an option to search exclusively by booking number.

Once the search is processed, a list of records matching the search parameters is retrieved. The list is in table form with data fields that include booking number, defendant’s name (arrestee), date booked, date released, arresting agency, and a short description of the charges.

The booking number field is linked to a database web page that includes all the details of the arrest.

If access to an online search is not possible, an inquiry can be made by telephone or in person to the Denton Sheriff’s Department using the following phone and location information:

Davidson County Sheriff’s Office
Law Enforcement Center
127 North Woodrow Lane
Denton, Texas, 76205-6397

Phone: 940.349.1600

The City of Denton is the largest metropolitan area in the county. The City of Denton Police Department does operate a jail facility.⁴ Consequently, when a City of Denton Police Officer makes an arrest the booking process is done at their own jail facility.

From the police department’s public webpage, the link labeled “Jail” leads users to a list of current inmates at the jail facility.

Selecting one of the records from the list brings up a pop-up window that includes a mugshot, date and time of booking, name, charges, detainers, bonds, detainer amount, and total amount.

If an online search is not feasible, an inquiry is possible by telephone or in person to the Denton Police Department using the phone and location information as follows:

Denton Police Department
601 East Hickory St., Ste. E
Denton, Texas, 76205

Phone: 940.349.8181

The City of Denton Police Department offers a record request portal that may also be an option to access arrest records.⁶ However, an online account must be created, and there are fees charged to arrest records via the portal. Fees or charges for a request vary depending on the amount and type of documents.

Search services provided by private entities such as VINELink may yield similar search results. However, any information from private companies should be verified with information from government agencies.

So far the resources explained above are ideally suited for finding information on recent arrests. For prior arrest records, a different method is needed.

How To Gain Insight on Criminal Charges & Former Arrests Made in Denton County Texas

The Denton County Online Records Lookup Tool for searching arrest records outlined in the section above can also be used to search court records.²

The same tool can be used to find court records of former arrests. Instead of selecting “Jail Records,” the “JP & County Court Criminal Case Record” link will lead to a search tool for finding court case records.

The search tool only requires a last name to start a search. The more search fields that are filled in, the more refined the search will be.

The search results retrieve a list of court case records that match the entered search parameters. Each record on the list includes a case number, citation number, when applicable, name, date of birth, date filed, location of arrest, Judicial Officer, type of charge, status of case, and a brief description of the charge(s).

Selecting the case number link on one of the records leads to a webpage specific to the selected record with all the details of the court case and arrest.

If the availability of the internet is not available to do an online search, a phone call or in-person request to the Denton County Court Clerk’s Office can be made at the following location and contact information:⁸

Denton County Court Clerk’s Office
1450 East McKinney Street
Denton, Texas, 76209

Phone: 940.34932013

To obtain an older arrest record from the City of Denton Police Department, a request can be made to the Records Division of the police department in person by email or by fax at the following location and contact information:⁴

City of Denton Police Department
Records Division
601 East Hickory St., Ste. E
Denton, Texas, 76205

Phone: 940.349.7973
Fax: 940.349.8247
Email: [email protected]

There is a charge of $.10 cents per page. The request should include as much information as possible so the correct report can be retrieved. Important data fields include:

• Offense Number (may also referred to as the case or incident number)
• Name(s) of the Parties Involved
• Date of Birth
• Driver’s License Number
• Date, Location, Type of the Incident/Crime

The request outlined above is for the Denton Police Department arrest record, which is public information. To obtain the full police report, an additional Open Records Request must be submitted to the City Secretary’s Office.^{9, 10}

An Open Records Request Form needs to be downloaded from the attachment labeled “Open Records Request-rev 2016,” filled out, and submitted.

The request form may be submitted electronically at the Open Records Center webpage. An account will need to be created to access the web page. The form can also be submitted by mail, fax, or in person at:

City of Denton Secretary’s Office
215 East McKinney Street
Denton, Texas, 76201

Phone: 940.349.7735
Fax: 940.349.8596
Email: [email protected]

A search at the state level in Texas ultimately leads back to the county level search tool since the database is used throughout the state, and is maintained by the state.

Anyone who has experienced being arrested knows that getting released from custody very quickly becomes the highest priority. However, knowing how to achieve that end is not common knowledge.

How To Post Bail for an Arrest Made in Denton County: A Summary

After an arrest has taken place and the booking is completed, the next thing that usually happens within 24-hours is a bond hearing held by the Bail Bond Board.¹² The amount of bail needed will be determined by a judge which then needs to be posted by the arrestee ( now considered a defendant) in order to secure a release from custody.

In many cases, a defendant is often released on personal recognizance, in which case there is no bail amount. First time nonviolent offenders usually receive this ruling.

For defendants of more serious crimes that are repeat offenders, a judge determines a bail amount based on criminal history and the crime committed. All defendants have the right to be represented by legal counsel at the bond hearing.

Some defendants that are extreme violent offenders and are considered a flight risk will have much higher bail amounts. In many cases, bail may be altogether denied.

After a judge determines the bail amount, if the defendant has the money to pay it in full, the bail can be paid at the court or at the jail facility where the defendant is in custody. Sometimes, a judge will exercise their discretion and only require a part of the bail to be paid.

For defendants who are not capable of paying the full amount, the services of a bail bondsman may need to be used to cover the shortfall needed to get a surety bond and pay the bail to be freed from custody. A bail agency, also known as a bail bondsman, puts forth the entire bail, charges a fee (can be as high as 20%) and usually demands some type of collateral to secure the bond, most often a home or other valuable asset.

A list of Licensed Bond Companies is available on the Denton County Website, along with a webpage that allows them to access appropriate records to assist arrestees.^{13, 14}

Should the defendant not appear in court as mandated by the judge on the prescribed date, the bail may be forfeited to the court. If the defendant appears in court as obligated, bail is returned at the end of the trial, minus any restitution or fines amounts if the court renders a guilty verdict. The procedures for hearings and posting bail are the same for all the municipalities in Denton County.

A Denton County arrest records search can be run using the information provided in this article; this can save time and help streamlined your lookup.