Asked 2/2/2106 – Fort Worth, TX

I am trying to help someone obtain a search warrant from Tarrant County, TX that is now incarcerated in Federal Prison. The problem is that the DA’s Office gave me some paperwork, but not the original search warrant. When I asked for the specific warrant that was signed by a certain Judge on a particular date, they said they would not let me have any more records because I was asking for it on behalf of someone incarcerated and they didn’t have to give it to me. I made it clear that is why I need the paperwork, so they knew from the beginning I was getting it for someone incarcerated. So they give me some and then when I ask for specific document, they say no. Why? Now it seems very “fishy” because they don’t want to give up that document. This person is trying to appeal and he needs that original search warrant. Is there any other way I can obtain this document? I thought all court documents were open to the public when asked for them??? How is this incarcerated person going to be able to appeal his case if he cannot obtain the documents he needs? Thanks for your help in advance.

Answer

If you are not a licensed attorney ,the DA’s office will only provide you what is required by the open records records act or what they feel like. You will have to have an attorney make formal request for any other documentation