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Bixby Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bixby, Oklahoma?

Arrest records are public documents in Bixby, Oklahoma, pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31). This comprehensive legislation establishes that records created, received, or maintained by public bodies are generally accessible to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The Act specifically includes arrest records among those documents that must be made available for public inspection. This legislative framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and allows citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Oklahoma Open Records Act stipulates that public bodies must provide "prompt, reasonable access" to records during regular business hours. Pursuant to § 24A.5, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for document retrieval, review, and copying, but these fees must reflect actual costs incurred. The Bixby Police Department maintains and processes requests for arrest records in accordance with these statutory provisions.

How to Look Up Bixby Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Bixby have multiple avenues available for accessing this information as of 2025. The Bixby Police Department Records Division serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within city limits. Individuals may obtain these records through the following methods:

  • In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests directly at the Bixby Police Department Records Division. Most reports become available within 48 to 72 working hours following an incident, as indicated by departmental policy.

Bixby Police Department
116 W Needles Ave
Bixby, OK 74008
(918) 366-8294
Official Website

  • Online Open Records Requests: The Bixby Police Department provides an electronic submission form for open records requests. Pursuant to state law, fees may apply for document retrieval and reproduction.

  • Tulsa County Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Tulsa County Court Clerk's Office.

Tulsa County Court Clerk
500 S Denver Ave
Tulsa, OK 74103
(918) 596-5000

  • Municipal Court Records: For violations of city ordinances, the Bixby Municipal Court maintains relevant records.

Bixby Municipal Court
116 W Needles Ave
Bixby, OK 74008
(918) 366-4430

Requestors should note that pursuant to § 24A.5(3) of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, reasonable fees may be charged for document search and reproduction. The City of Bixby has established a fee schedule for such services, as authorized by municipal ordinance.

Contents of a Bixby Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Bixby Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Oklahoma state law. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and generally include the following elements:

  • Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, and any known aliases or identifiers
  • Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency involved
  • Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Oklahoma state code references and/or municipal ordinance numbers
  • Incident Narrative: Factual account of the circumstances leading to the arrest, as documented by the arresting officer(s)
  • Booking Information: Fingerprints, booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), and processing details
  • Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release conditions, bail or bond amounts, and court appearance dates
  • Property Inventory: Documentation of personal items taken into custody during the booking process

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with § 24A.7 of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which protects personal privacy in specific circumstances. Such redactions may include Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and certain medical details.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The public's right to access arrest records in Bixby is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and local levels. The Oklahoma Open Records Act serves as the primary statutory authority, with several key provisions directly applicable to arrest records:

  • § 24A.3(2) defines "arrest records" as those documents containing information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies, explicitly including them within the scope of public records.

  • § 24A.8 specifically addresses law enforcement records, mandating that certain information related to arrests must be made available for public inspection, including the facts concerning arrests, jail bookings, and formal charges.

  • § 24A.5(5) establishes that public bodies may establish reasonable procedures for providing access to records during regular business hours.

The City of Bixby has implemented municipal ordinances in accordance with these state provisions, establishing specific procedures for records requests through the City Clerk's office, which serves as the director of records for the municipality.

Individuals seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally public, certain information may be withheld or redacted pursuant to statutory exemptions. These exemptions include ongoing investigative materials (§ 24A.12), certain personal information (§ 24A.7), and records specifically required by law to be kept confidential.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bixby

The expungement process in Bixby allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances prescribed by Oklahoma state law. Pursuant to 22 O.S. § 18, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet certain statutory criteria, including:

  • Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
  • Arrests not resulting in charges being filed within the statute of limitations
  • Convictions for which a pardon has been granted
  • Completion of deferred judgment or suspended sentence requirements without subsequent felony convictions
  • Juvenile offenses, subject to specific statutory provisions

The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the appropriate court having jurisdiction over the case. For municipal violations, this would be the Bixby Municipal Court; for more serious offenses, the Tulsa County District Court would have jurisdiction.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility under the applicable statutory provisions. If the court grants the expungement, all public records pertaining to the arrest are sealed and treated as confidential. Pursuant to 22 O.S. § 19, these records are not accessible through standard public records requests and are removed from public databases.

It should be noted that certain governmental agencies, particularly law enforcement entities, may retain limited access to expunged records for specific administrative purposes as permitted by statute. Additionally, expungement in Oklahoma does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view.

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