Heightened security measures and the need to protect our nation's children, elderly and disabled have led to legislation enabling a dramatic increase in the use of criminal history information. Accordingly, accuracy of the criminal history record is vital to citizens being screened for employment, housing, work visas, voter registration and a host of other purposes.
The Error Resolution Unit (ER) is responsible for updating and evaluating possible errors in criminal history records. Potential errors are reported to ER by law enforcement, judicial agencies, as well as private citizens. If you need your criminal history record updated or corrected, you will need to supply certified documents to the Error Resolution Unit.
Misuse of identity occurs when your name or identifying information is falsely given by an arrested individual as their identifying information and requires a different resolution process than a criminal history error, visit that site for details. Individuals wishing to contact ER regarding a potential error may email error.resolution@dps.texas.gov
Errors contained on 3rd party Criminal History Website
While the DPS does not have the authority to require 3rd party criminal history websites to correct data contained on their sites, the Texas Business and Commerce Code does provide relief for individuals whose data is incorrectly posted by 3rd party providers. Please refer to Chapter 109 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code to determine what relief is available and if that relief is available for your specific situation.
Additionally, Section 552.1425 of the Texas Government Code provides civil penalties for a 3rd party criminal history provider that does not remove data associated with an expunction or order of non-disclosure.