Warrants are public records in Cleburne, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The transparency framework is designed to promote governmental accountability and provide citizens with access to information about legal proceedings that may affect them or their community.
In Cleburne, as throughout Johnson County and the state of Texas, members of the public maintain the right to access warrant records, which document the issuance of warrants by judicial authorities. These records are maintained by multiple agencies including the Cleburne Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, and the Johnson County District Clerk's Office. The maintenance of these records as public documents ensures citizens can remain informed about legal actions involving warrants within their jurisdiction.
Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision applies to warrant information unless it falls under specific exemptions outlined in § 552.101 through § 552.158, such as active criminal investigations where disclosure might interfere with law enforcement proceedings.
Several official resources are available for locating warrant information online in Cleburne:
Johnson County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of active warrants that is updated regularly. This resource allows individuals to search by name to determine if warrants exist.
Johnson County District Clerk: The District Clerk's office provides access to court records, including information about warrants issued through the district courts.
Cleburne Municipal Court: The Municipal Court maintains records of warrants issued for violations of city ordinances and certain misdemeanors.
Texas Department of Public Safety: The DPS Crime Records Service provides statewide warrant information through authorized channels.
Individuals seeking warrant information may access these resources through the respective agency websites or by contacting the offices directly during normal business hours.
To determine if a warrant has been issued in your name in Cleburne, the following official procedures are available:
Johnson County Sheriff's Office Warrant Division: Individuals may contact the Warrant Division directly to inquire about outstanding warrants.
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
1102 E. Kilpatrick Street
Cleburne, TX 76031
(817) 556-6060
Cleburne Police Department: The Records Division can provide information regarding warrants issued within city jurisdiction.
Cleburne Police Department
302 W. Henderson Street
Cleburne, TX 76033
(817) 645-0972
Johnson County District Clerk: For warrants issued through district courts, individuals may contact:
Johnson County District Clerk
Johnson County Courthouse
2 N. Main Street, Room 204
Cleburne, TX 76033
(817) 556-6695
Legal Representation: Consultation with an attorney is advisable, as legal counsel can make inquiries on behalf of clients while providing guidance on appropriate responses to outstanding warrants.
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.26, individuals with active warrants may be subject to arrest. Therefore, addressing warrant issues promptly through proper legal channels is strongly recommended.
Johnson County and the City of Cleburne provide multiple methods for checking outstanding warrant status:
Online Warrant Search: The Johnson County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of active warrants at their official website. This database is updated regularly but may not include all warrants, particularly those recently issued.
In-Person Inquiry: Individuals may visit the Johnson County Sheriff's Office or the Cleburne Police Department during regular business hours to inquire about warrant status. Valid identification is required for these inquiries.
Court Records Search: The Johnson County District Clerk's Office and Cleburne Municipal Court provide public access terminals for searching court records, including warrant information.
Cleburne Municipal Court
10 N. Robinson Street
Cleburne, TX 76031
(817) 645-0940
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Request: Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, individuals may submit written requests for warrant information to the appropriate agency. Requests must reasonably identify the records sought and may be subject to certain fees as permitted under § 552.261.
Warrant records in Cleburne typically contain the following information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 15:
Subject Identification: Full legal name of the individual for whom the warrant is issued, along with identifying information such as date of birth, physical description, and last known address when available.
Warrant Classification: Designation of the warrant type (e.g., arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant, or capias).
Case Number: The assigned court case number associated with the warrant.
Issuing Authority: Name of the judge or magistrate who issued the warrant and the court of jurisdiction.
Issuance Date: The date on which the warrant was signed and entered into the system.
Offense Information: Description of the alleged violation, including the statute number, offense classification (misdemeanor or felony), and brief description of the alleged criminal act.
Bond Information: If applicable, the predetermined bail amount and any special conditions attached to the bond.
Service Status: Indication of whether the warrant remains active or has been executed, recalled, or quashed.
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.02, arrest warrants must "command that the person accused be arrested and brought before the proper magistrate to answer the accusation as stated therein."