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Privacy Policy

This policy describes the information handled when someone visits Wharton County Criminal History, how that information may be used, and the limited situations in which it may be disclosed. It also explains the role of outside search providers and advertising services. Continued use of the website means acceptance of the practices stated in this policy.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or location entered in a search tool is sent directly to the outside company operating that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its result. Wharton County Criminal History does not retain or log those search terms on its own systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

If a message is submitted to the site, it may be retained long enough to review and respond. It remains within the site team unless disclosure is required by law.

Data We Gather Automatically

When a page loads, the site's systems may automatically receive technical details about the visit:

  • Page-view timestamps
  • Device type and operating system
  • IP address assigned to the device
  • Pages viewed and time spent on them
  • Browser name and version
  • Referring website, when available

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small files placed on a device. They help measure broad traffic patterns, such as which pages are used most and where visits end. Analytics providers may combine that activity into reports. A browser can be set to reject cookies, although disabling them may change how some site functions behave.

What We Do With This Data

  • Finding and correcting technical faults
  • Operating the site and maintaining page performance
  • Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests
  • Routing a search request to the selected outside provider
  • Measuring which pages visitors use

No Criminal-Record Data on File

Wharton County Criminal History does not operate, assemble, or sell a database of personal criminal records. Its content identifies how to request Wharton County material from the Sheriff, court clerks, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Public Sex Offender Registry. The site is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Visitor information is not turned into a consumer report or a criminal-history file about another person.

Third-Party Search Partners

Outside companies power the search boxes. Information entered there is governed by the selected provider's privacy policy rather than this policy. Each partner decides how long to keep information and when to share it, and this site does not control those choices. Read the provider's terms before using its tool.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to the Wharton County government, court systems, Texas agencies, legal aid groups, or outside search services. Once a visitor leaves this website, the destination's privacy policy controls. Its practices should be reviewed before any personal information is provided.

Some advertising providers may measure activity across multiple websites for targeted advertising. That processing occurs through the provider's systems.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal information is not sold by this site. Limited data may be available to:

  • Analytics services that measure site use and performance
  • Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal demand
  • Advertising networks that place ads on the pages
  • Search partners that process a visitor's submitted query

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for information collected by the site. No internet system can be guaranteed secure, however, and the site cannot promise that unauthorized access or a data breach will never occur.

Users Under 18

The website is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. Information identified as belonging to a minor will be deleted when the site becomes aware of it.

Your Data Rights

Rights may differ based on where a visitor lives and which law applies. The Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552, governs access to records held by Texas government bodies, not data kept by this private site. Likewise, Government Code Chapter 411 controls access to and dissemination of Texas criminal-history record information. Neither law converts this website into a government records custodian. Subject to applicable law, a person may:

  • Request deletion of eligible personal data
  • Ask what personal information the site retains
  • Object to certain forms of processing where the law permits
  • Request correction of inaccurate personal information

Updates to This Policy

This privacy policy may be revised. A replacement takes effect when it is posted here with a new effective date.

Effective date: August 10, 2026