Tyler Booking Reports
Tyler booking reports are public records created each time someone is arrested and processed into custody in Smith County. The Tyler Police Department handles arrests within city limits, and most adults are booked into the Smith County Jail on East Elm Street in Tyler. You can search current inmate information through the Smith County Sheriff's Office online portal. Records requests for offense reports, arrest documents, and booking data go through the Tyler Police Department Records Unit or the Smith County Sheriff's Office, depending on which agency made the arrest.
Tyler Overview
Tyler Booking Report Records
When someone is arrested in Tyler, the Tyler Police Department takes them into custody. Adults aged 17 and older go to the Smith County Jail at 206 East Elm Street, Tyler, TX 75702. The jail processes each person and creates a booking record. That record is a public document under Texas law and includes the person's name, date of birth, physical description, the charges filed, and the bond amount. Arresting agency and officer information is also part of the record.
Smith County also runs a low and medium risk facility at 2811 Public Road, Tyler, TX 75701. Juvenile arrests are handled separately at the Smith County Juvenile Detention Center at 2630 Morningside Drive. If a juvenile is involved, those records follow different rules and are not always public. For adult arrest records, the county jail is the main source.
The Tyler Police Department also keeps its own records. An offense or incident report generated by Tyler PD becomes a public record you can request directly from the department. The booking record at the jail and the offense report from the police are two separate documents, though they relate to the same arrest.
| Office | Tyler Police Department Records Unit |
|---|---|
| Address | 711 W. Ferguson, Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 531-1000 |
| Smith County Jail | 206 East Elm Street, Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Jail Phone | (903) 590-2800 |
How to Find Tyler Arrest Records
The Smith County Sheriff's Office operates an online inmate search that lets you look up people currently held in the county jail. You can search by name and see current custody status, charges, and bond information. This is the fastest way to check on an active booking. For older arrest records, you need to submit a formal public information request.
Tyler Police Department accepts public information requests online, in person, and by mail. To request records under the Texas Public Information Act, you contact the records unit at 711 W. Ferguson. You need to describe the records you want, including the date of the arrest and the name of the person involved. The department has ten business days to respond. Most routine requests for offense reports and booking documents are filled without issue. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page. Mugshots may carry a variable fee depending on the format requested.
Note: Tyler PD records requests can also be submitted online through the city website at cityoftyler.org.
Third-party sites like RecentlyBooked.com and BustedNewspaper.com also publish Smith County booking data. These are not official sources and may not be complete or current, but they can help you find a case number or confirm a booking date before submitting a formal request.
What Tyler Booking Reports Include
A booking report from the Smith County Jail is a standard document. It shows the person's full legal name, age, and current address at the time of arrest. Physical details like height, weight, hair color, and eye color are recorded. The booking date and time are noted, as is the arresting agency and the officer who made the arrest.
Charges are listed by statute, showing what the person was booked for. Bond amounts are set and recorded at booking. The mugshot taken at the jail is also part of the booking record. In Tyler, felony case records are kept for 75 years. Misdemeanor records are retained for 20 years. Class C misdemeanors are held for 5 years. Booking records themselves are kept for 5 years from the date of release. These retention schedules apply to records held by the Tyler Police Department and follow the state guidelines for law enforcement agencies in Texas.
Texas Crime Records and Booking Data
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division maintains statewide arrest data and criminal history records. While the DPS system focuses on criminal histories rather than individual booking reports, it is a useful tool for verifying arrest information and looking up records that may span multiple counties or agencies across Texas.
The DPS Crime Records Division processes fingerprint-based background checks and maintains the official state repository for arrest and conviction data. If you are researching a Tyler arrest that resulted in a criminal case, the DPS system may have a record of it.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards also oversees county jails including the Smith County Jail. TCJS sets the rules for how jails must keep records and respond to public information requests. If you have a problem getting records from a local jail, TCJS is the oversight body you can contact.
Knowing which agency you need helps speed up your search. Tyler PD handles city arrests. The Smith County Sheriff handles county arrests and runs the jail. Both fall under the Texas Public Information Act, which gives you the right to request records they hold.
Texas Public Information Act
Texas Government Code Chapter 552 is the law that gives the public the right to access government records. It covers booking reports, arrest records, offense reports, and most other documents held by Texas law enforcement agencies. Tyler PD and the Smith County Sheriff's Office are both subject to this law.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, a government agency must respond to your request within ten business days. They either give you the records, ask for a cost estimate if there will be a charge, or seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General if they believe the records are exempt. Most booking reports and arrest records are public. Some details, like the identity of confidential informants or information about ongoing investigations, may be withheld. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government division handles disputes and publishes guidance on what must be released.
Note: Requests must be specific enough for the agency to identify the records you want. Give a name, date range, or case number when you can.
Juvenile Detention in Tyler
The Smith County Juvenile Detention Center at 2630 Morningside Drive handles minors who are arrested in Tyler and Smith County. Juvenile records work differently from adult records. They are generally confidential and not part of the public booking report system. Contact the Smith County Juvenile Services office at (903) 535-0850 for information specific to juvenile cases.
Smith County Booking Reports
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County. All adult arrests in Tyler go through the Smith County Jail, and the Smith County Sheriff's Office is the primary keeper of booking records for the area. For a full look at Smith County booking and inmate search resources, visit the county page.