Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Why are there some documents that I can’t receive or that I can only receive with certain information redacted/blacked out?

A:  There are a number of rules and regulations that governmental entities have to follow in releasing information to the public. Many of these rules and regulations make certain information in the hands of governmental entities confidential or except from public disclosure. For instance, someone’s social security number is considered confidential information, so if a social security number appears in a document you have requested, we will have to redact that information before providing you with the document. Both the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Information Handbook and Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code are good resources containing the rules and regulations that dictate what information cannot be released to the public.  

Q:  What happens if I don’t agree to have information redacted or withheld from the documents I’m requesting?

A:  If you can’t reach an agreement with the Criminal District Attorney’s Office about whether certain information can be withheld within ten business days of the date you sent in your request, then a request for a ruling will be sent to the Office of the Attorney General. A copy of this request for a ruling will be sent to you. When the Attorney General issues a ruling, a copy will be sent to you along with any documents that the Attorney General rules are subject to release. Please note that if you include a physical mailing address with your original request, the Attorney General will mail a copy of the ruling to you directly, but will rely on the Criminal District Attorney’s Office to contact you if you do not provide a physical mailing address. Therefore, it is helpful to include your physical mailing address with your original request.

Q:  Why is the Criminal District Attorney’s Office contacting me regarding my open records request?

A:  The Criminal District Attorney is legal counsel for Tarrant County’s governmental entities. In that role, the Criminal District Attorney’s Office handles the vast majority of open records requests submitted to Tarrant County.