Fort Worth City, Texas Criminal Records
In the Municipality of Fort Worth, criminal records are official documents generated by law enforcement and courts regarding criminal offenses, trials, sentencing, and incarceration in compliance with the local criminal justice system. These records are a compilation of law enforcement and arrest documents, charging and prosecutorial documents, court files and case documentation, and sentencing and correctional records. A criminal record traces the subject's legal encounters within a jurisdiction.
Depending on the nature of the crime and the stage of the legal process, in Fort Worth, criminal records are managed across municipal, county, state, and federal agencies. Fort Worth is the seat of Tarrant County governance and extends into parts of Denton, Parker, and Wise counties. With a population of over 1,000,000 residents, it is the 10th-largest city in the United States. Fort Worth, together with Arlington and Dallas, anchors the western portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (DFW).
What are Fort Worth Public Criminal Records?
In Fort Worth, public criminal records are official law enforcement documents and criminal case files that are disclosable under Texas law. According to Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code (Texas Public Information Act), all official documents generated by municipal, county, and state government agencies are open for public inspection and copying, subject to statutory exemptions. Fort Worth public criminal records encompass law enforcement and criminal case records related to crimes and their prosecutions within the local criminal justice structure.
Fort Worth Crime Statistics
Data from the Fort Worth Police Department's Quarterly Crime Reports show 48,239 crimes in Fort Worth City in 2025. This comprises 14,073 crimes against persons, 29,565 crimes against property, and 4,601 crimes against society. In the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2026, the Fort Worth Police Department reported 21,978 crimes, comprising:
- 6,467 crimes against persons
- 12,931 crimes against property
- 2,580 crimes against society.
The tables below compare Fort Worth crime statistics for 2025, the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2025, and the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2026.
Crimes against persons
| Crime Type | 2025 Total | 1st and 2nd Quarters, 2025 | 1st and 2nd Quarters, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault offenses | 12,864 | 6,348 | 6,013 |
| Human trafficking | 22 | 8 | 13 |
| Kidnapping | 251 | 128 | 96 |
| Murder | 86 | 53 | 27 |
| Forcible sex offenses | 847 | 447 | 318 |
| Non-forcible sex offenses | 3 | 2 | — |
| Total | 14,073 | 6,986 | 6,467 |
Crimes against property
| Crime Type | 2025 Total | 1st and 2nd Quarters, 2025 | 1st and 2nd Quarters, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arson | 93 | 47 | 39 |
| Bribery | 3 | — | 3 |
| Burglary | 2,806 | 1,460 | 1,187 |
| Forgery | 241 | 115 | 86 |
| Vandalism of property | 4,943 | 2,501 | 2,411 |
| Embezzlement | 68 | 34 | 22 |
| Fraud | 746 | 393 | 295 |
| Larceny | 16,457 | 8,215 | 7,315 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3,511 | 1,878 | 1,331 |
| Robbery | 617 | 328 | 210 |
| Stolen property | 80 | 47 | 30 |
| Total | 29,565 | 15,018 | 12,929 |
Crimes against society
| Crime Type | 2025 Total | 1st and 2nd Quarters, 2025 | 1st and 2nd Quarters, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal cruelty | 89 | 44 | 51 |
| Drug/Narcotic violations | 3,010 | 1,461 | 1,666 |
| Gambling offenses | 18 | 7 | 12 |
| Pornography | 250 | 136 | 132 |
| Prostitution | 201 | 116 | 166 |
| Weapon law violations | 1,033 | 497 | 553 |
| Total | 4,601 | 2,261 | 2,580 |
Are Fort Worth Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Fort Worth criminal records are public. Access to these documents is guaranteed by Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. According to this legislation, all official local, county, and state government records are publicly disclosable, subject to statutory exemptions.
While Texas mandates open access to criminal records and most official documents in the possession of government agencies, this does not include:
- Active law enforcement investigative records
- Legally erased and restricted records
- Juvenile and minor records
- Victim and witness protection data
- Sensitive personal identifiers and officer data
- Inmate incarceration specifics, such as medical & mental health records, presentence investigation (PSI) reports, and internal parole evaluation documentation.
Only persons with judicial orders or entities with statutory authority can access exempted criminal records in Fort Worth.
How to Obtain Fort Worth Police Reports and Arrest Records
In Fort Worth, there are online and offline routes for individuals seeking local police reports and arrest records. The best option depends on the type and status of the document. Interested parties can search for non-confidential general offense records and incident reports through the Fort Worth Police Department Report Search Portal. For vehicle accident reports, inquirers should search the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Crash Records Information System (CRIS).
Alternatively, record seekers can submit a formal Open Records Request through the Fort Worth Public Information Request Portal or send an email to publicinfo@fortworthtexas.gov.
The Fort Worth Police Department also processes in-person and mail-in requests through the agency's Records Section at:
1000 Calvert Street,
Fort Worth, TX 76107.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Fort Worth
Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure mandates that individuals convicted of qualifying sexual offenses must register with their local law enforcement agencies. These records are compiled and made accessible to the public at local and state levels.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) maintains a statewide registry covering persons required to register for sex-related offenses within Texas. Individuals seeking information about sex offenders in Fort Worth should search the Texas Sex Offender Registry (TxSOR) database.
At the local level, Fort Worth Ordinance 26-5721 regulates where sex offenders can reside in the city. Individuals can use the provided link on the Fort Worth Police Department Sex Offender Registration and Tracking Page to search for information about sex offenders residing, working, or attending school in the city. The Fort Worth Police Department also maintains an Interactive Child Safety Zone app that maps and screens addresses against local sex offender residency buffer zones.
What Happens if My Request for Criminal Records is Denied in Fort Worth?
The Fort Worth Police Department and other agencies in possession of the city's criminal records may deny a formal access request if there is a statutory exemption or legal restriction on the record, or if the requester did not provide sufficient or accurate information for locating the record.
Under Texas law, a public agency cannot simply issue a flat denial; it must request a formal decision from the Texas Attorney General's Office (OAG) within 10 business days to justify the action. The requester will receive a copy of the submission and may submit a formal argument to the Attorney General's Office, explaining why the record should be released.
If the agency fails to seek the opinion of the OAG and refuses to release a non-exempt record, call the Open Records Hotline at (877) 673-6839 and file an informal complaint. Alternatively, email a written complaint to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Civil Division at openrecords-complaint@tarrantcountytx.gov.
How to Expunge or Seal Fort Worth Criminal Records
Under Texas law, clearing a criminal record requires either an expunction or an order of nondisclosure. A Fort Worth criminal record qualifies for expungement if the associated arrest did not result in a conviction, the subject was never charged, or the underlying case was resolved through Class C misdemeanor deferred adjudication. Likewise, Texas grants an order of nondisclosure for eligible non-violent misdemeanors and felonies upon completion of deferred adjudication probation. Additionally, subjects of eligible criminal records must observe applicable waiting periods. To expunge or obtain an order of nondisclosure for an eligible Fort Worth criminal record, the subject must petition the specific Tarrant County District Court or County Court at Law that handled the underlying case.