Police records in Texas are public records and made available through several channels. Police records are reports made by the local enforcement agency, which contain information on the case including the type of case, the parties involved as well as the report of the officer who filed the case. Police records are divided into 3 types - criminal, traffic and administrative cases. The first and most common are criminal records. These records include those cases that have felony or are criminal by nature. Access to these records are restricted especially those that are still under investigation or have juveniles as suspect(s). Those records that have reached conviction though are open to the public.
Records that are classified as administrative involve officers of the government who have committed violations or misconduct and violated the police policy. Traffic reports, on the other hand, are those cases that involve traffic incidents, infraction and can include the vehicle name, driver's license as well as the case filed.
To access the police report, one only has to know the case or file number to make a written request. A defendant or a party has direct access to their police records and a copy is usually sent to the parties involved. For third parties, they can also access public information copy of the report. Reports that are criminal in nature are restricted while ongoing and can only be accessed after a conviction is made. To request for the report, one can walk in person to the office, send an email, a fax or a mail request.
Those who want to obtain a copy of the records in Austin can do so by first checking the APD incident reports database. Reports that are less than seven pages are free; however, charges will apply for more than 10 pages. Each page costs about $.10. All requests should be directed to the Austin Report Sales unit. The Sales unit is not open daily and as such, one should call first if one intends to visit the office.
For those who want to obtain records in Houston, Texas, they can do so by email, fax or mail in their written request to the Police Open Records Division. Records that are still under investigation are available by requesting an "open records request" from the Attorney General. Processing takes about one to two months depending on the request volume. On the other hand, for those who want public information copies, they can send their request to the Records Division and pay $6 by cash, cashier checks or money order directly to the Office.
For those who are only after police report(s) for public information, one can check out several online sites that offer free public searches. One can easily get the information that one needs without having to wait and pay much at the same time.
Records that are classified as administrative involve officers of the government who have committed violations or misconduct and violated the police policy. Traffic reports, on the other hand, are those cases that involve traffic incidents, infraction and can include the vehicle name, driver's license as well as the case filed.
To access the police report, one only has to know the case or file number to make a written request. A defendant or a party has direct access to their police records and a copy is usually sent to the parties involved. For third parties, they can also access public information copy of the report. Reports that are criminal in nature are restricted while ongoing and can only be accessed after a conviction is made. To request for the report, one can walk in person to the office, send an email, a fax or a mail request.
Those who want to obtain a copy of the records in Austin can do so by first checking the APD incident reports database. Reports that are less than seven pages are free; however, charges will apply for more than 10 pages. Each page costs about $.10. All requests should be directed to the Austin Report Sales unit. The Sales unit is not open daily and as such, one should call first if one intends to visit the office.
For those who want to obtain records in Houston, Texas, they can do so by email, fax or mail in their written request to the Police Open Records Division. Records that are still under investigation are available by requesting an "open records request" from the Attorney General. Processing takes about one to two months depending on the request volume. On the other hand, for those who want public information copies, they can send their request to the Records Division and pay $6 by cash, cashier checks or money order directly to the Office.
For those who are only after police report(s) for public information, one can check out several online sites that offer free public searches. One can easily get the information that one needs without having to wait and pay much at the same time.
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