The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) may release case-level criminal history data files to bona fide researchers and research organizations for legitimate research purposes under Texas Government Code (GC) 411.083(b). If data are released, researchers are required to enter into an agreement with TXDPS promising to protect the confidentiality, security and privacy of the data. This page provides resources needed to submit an application to receive Computerized Criminal History (CCH) data. Please note, Personally Identifying Information (PII) and juvenile information will not be included in any data returned to a requestor for any research project.
The Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH)
Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP) Chapter 66
CCP Chapter 66 describes the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) in Texas. Ch. 66.102 provides specific information about data required to be reported to CCH and the groups responsible for reporting the data to CCH.
CJIS Reporting
Information regarding how the responsible groups report criminal information to CCH, including reporting codes and training guides for the reporting agencies.
CCH Data Dictionary
The CCH Data Dictionary is a document providing technical specifications for CCH fields. It outlines the definitions of the data in CCH fields and the required formatting of the data in the fields. Please note, the Data Dictionary is intended to set specifications for all CCH data fields for programming purposes. Many of the fields in the Data Dictionary are not included in results returned for research data requests.
Available Reports
These are reports published by DPS regularly. Please review these reports to determine if they contain the information you're looking for.
Submitting a Research Data Request
Texas Research Data Request Policy
Please read this policy carefully. The policy outlines the criteria that a project should meet to receive CCH data, the process for requesting and/or receiving CCH data, the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) requirements, and a description of CCH data that would be or would not be included in the data returned to the research project.
Extracted CCH Data
All CCH data extracted and returned to a qualified project will be sent to the requestor in a fixed length TXT format. Due to the volume of the extracted data, it cannot be put into an Excel or CSV file/format. This spreadsheet lists the specific data points and their positions in the TXT file. These are the CCH data points that will be extracted and returned to the qualifying research project.
Application for CCH Data Under GC 411.083(b)
After revieing all of the information linked on this page you have determined that your research project could qualify to receive Texas CCH data. Complete this application and submit it as directed on the application. There is no set time frame of how long the application and DSA processing will take. TXDPS cannot guarantee the application or DSA will be processed or signed and the CCH data sent by any specific date or time frame.
Data Sharing Agreement (DSA)
DSA Template
This is a copy of the Data Sharing Agreement that all groups requesting CCH data will be required to sign prior to receiving CCH data. This sections in this agreement cannot be changed or amended other than section 1.0 describing the reason for the DSA. Pre-signed agreements are not accepted. The DSA is the final step in the approval process and will not be signed by any party until all application processing is complete.
Exhibit A
This is Exhibit A that is attached to and required to be agreed to as part of the Data Sharing Agreement. It outlines DPS Cyber Security and Information Security Policy that any group receiving CCH data must be in compliance with.
Exhibit B
This is Exhibit B that is also attached to and required for all Data Sharing Agreements. Every individual associated with the group receiving CCH data that will, in any way, have access to the CCH data, at any point, must sign a Rules of Behavior Agreement.
Additional Resources
Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
The Texas LBB uses CCH data to compile some of their reports. Please review the reports available from the LBB to determine if they contain the information you're looking for.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
Please review the reports available from the TDCJ to determine if they contain the information you're looking for.
Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
TJJD uses CCH data to compile some of their reports. Please review the reports available from the TJJD to determine if they contain the information you're looking for.
Office of Court Administration (OCA)
Please review the reports available from the OCA to determine if they contain the information you're looking for.