The Victoria County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit is designated to receive all requests for public information. The Victoria County Sheriff’s Office is not responsible for responding to any requests sent to any email address or facsimile transmission other than the address and fax number for the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit, pursuant to section 552.301(c) of the Texas Government Code.

1. Requests for records must be submitted in writing (see below for submission information).
2. Phone call requests do not fall under the requirements of the Public Information Act.
3. In order to expedite the response process, you must provide as much information as possible regarding the records you are requesting that will aid in locating the responsive records.
4. If the information provided in the request is not clear, or additional information is needed in order to locate the responsive records, a written request for clarification will be sent to the requestor. The requestor will then have sixty-one (61) days to respond in writing. If no response is received, the request will be considered withdrawn and a new request would need to be submitted by the requestor.
5. Requests are answered in the order in which they are received and may take up to ten (10) business days to be completed.
6. Allowing redaction of information deemed confidential, privileged, or exempt by the Public Information Act, statutes, case law, or court rules, may result in expedited processing of your request. Indicating that you allow redactions will acknowledge that you agree to receive the “public” portion of the report. Checking the “Allow Redactions” checkbox on the Records Request Form is a convenient way to indicate you will agree to redactions, otherwise you would need to indicate in writing that you allow the Records Unit to redact confidential information from the report.
7. If no indication is given allowing redactions and the responsive records fall under one of the exceptions of the Public Information Act, the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office will seek a ruling from the Attorney General’s Office, and may take up to an additional forty-five (45) business days to be completed (Tex Gov’t Code,§ 552.306) .
8. In the event the Attorney General’s Office determines that the requested information is protected under one of the exceptions of the Public Information Act, our agency will not be obligated to release the information requested.
9. Governmental agencies, legal representatives, etc. may submit requests on letterhead in order to delay processing requests. Note: If available, provide a signed authorization to disclose records waiver.
10. The Public Information Act allows our agency to recover costs related to reproducing public information. Your request may be subject to charges assessed for reproducing these records, labor, overhead (which is calculated as a percentage of the total labor), and materials. In the event that charges are assessed for your request, you will receive a written cost estimate outlining these charges and information regarding payment. (Tex Gov’t Code, § 552.261-552.275).

Driver’s involved in an accident that were issued a Driver’s Crash Report CR-2 (or “Blue Form”) will need to retain a copy of the CR-2 for their own records. The Victoria County Sheriff’s Office does not maintain these records. Driver’s involved in an accident that is investigated by a law enforcement officer who completes a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) may request a copy of the accident report from the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office. During the 84th Legislative Session, Texas Transportation Code §550.065 allows release of crash report to any person directly concerned in the accident or having proper interest therein, including:

• A. Any person involved in the accident
• B. The authorized representative of any persona involved in the accident
• C. A driver involved in the accident
• D. An employer, parent, or legal guardian of a driver involved in the accident
• E. The owner of the vehicle or property damaged in an accident
• F. A person who has established financial responsibility for a vehicle involved in the accident in a manner described in Texas Transportation Code 601.501, including a policyholder of a motor vehicle
• G. An insurance company that issued and insurance policy covering a vehicle involved in an accident
• H. An insurance company that issued a policy covering any person involved in the accident
• I. A person under contract to provide claims or underwriting to a person described in sections (f), (g), or (h).
• J. A radio or television station that holds a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission
• K. A newspaper that is a free newspaper of general circulation or qualified under 2051.044, Government Code, to publish legal notices; published at least once a week; and available of interest to the general public in connection with the dissemination of news
• L. Any person who may sue because of death resulting from the accident

Requestors who do not meet the above criteria will receive a redacted copy of the crash report. If the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office personnel cannot determine if the person requesting the crash report is directly concerned in the accident or having proper interest in the accident, the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office may ask the requestor to provide information in writing regarding their interest in the accident and/or who they represent in the accident.

Requestors should provide details regarding the accident such as location, date, name of involved person, and report number (if available) in order to assist personnel with locating the responsive report.

Individuals may request a Letter of Incarceration from the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office in order to prove when the individual was in the Victoria County Jail.

Requests for Letters of Incarceration must be made in person at the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office by individuals who present a valid government-issued driver’s license or photo identification.

Requests will not be accepted from a friend or family member of another individual, unless the individual is currently confined in the Victoria County Jail.

Government agencies and attorneys may request a Letter of Incarceration on an individual. Requests must be made in writing, on letterhead, via in-person, mail, fax, or email. Phone call or verbal requests for Letters of Incarceration will not be accepted.

The Victoria County Sheriff’s Office does not provide Criminal History information or Driving Record Information.

If you need a statewide criminal history check or driving record information, contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at the link below. 

Texas Department of Public Safety Website