Warrant records are public in Midland County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that records maintained by governmental bodies, including warrant information, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Public Information Act promotes transparency in governmental operations and ensures accountability within the judicial system.
Members of the public may access warrant records in Midland County to verify legal actions that may involve themselves or others. The Midland County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties in law enforcement. Public access to warrant information serves the essential function of maintaining transparency in the judicial process while allowing individuals to remain informed about potential legal obligations.
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 ensures that warrant information remains accessible during regular operational hours of county offices.
Warrant records maintained by the Civil & Warrants Section of the Midland County Sheriff's Office typically contain the following information:
Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.02, arrest warrants must "specify the name of the person whose arrest is ordered, if it be known," and "state that the person is accused of some offense against the laws of the State, naming the offense."
The Midland County government provides several no-cost methods for individuals to verify warrant status. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures:
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification and specific information about the subject of the inquiry to facilitate the search process.
The Civil/Warrants Division of the Midland County Sheriff's Office is responsible for processing and executing warrants issued within the jurisdiction. This division, led by Lieutenant Chris Evans, manages various types of warrants including:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated team of deputies assigned to warrant service. These officers are tasked with locating individuals named in warrants and executing the judicial orders according to established protocols. The Civil/Warrants Division operates from the Midland County Sheriff's Office headquarters at 400 S. Main Street, Midland, TX 79701, and can be reached at (432) 688-4679.
In accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.16, upon executing an arrest warrant, the officer "shall take the person arrested before the magistrate who issued the warrant or before the magistrate named in the warrant, without unnecessary delay."
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Midland County may utilize several official channels. The following methods are available for warrant verification:
Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 85.003, the sheriff is "the conservator of the peace in his county" and is responsible for executing all lawful process, including warrants. The Sheriff's Office maintains accurate and current warrant information to fulfill this statutory obligation.
Midland County provides multiple avenues for individuals to verify the existence of outstanding warrants. Members of the public may employ the following methods to conduct a warrant search:
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.26 states that "the officer executing the warrant shall take the person before the magistrate without unnecessary delay." Individuals with active warrants are encouraged to address these matters promptly through appropriate legal channels.