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Privacy Policy

This policy describes the information gathered during a visit, the reasons it may be used, and the limited circumstances in which another party may receive it. Continued use of Ellis County Criminal History signifies acceptance of these practices.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or place entered in a search tool is sent to the outside provider that operates that feature. The provider processes the request and supplies its result. We do not keep a separate log of the query terms entered in those tools.

Messages and Contact Submissions

An email may be retained for the time needed to respond and maintain the exchange. Messages are not voluntarily disclosed outside the organization, though a valid legal duty may require disclosure.

Data We Gather Automatically

Normal server operation records limited technical details when a page loads:

  • Page-view dates and times
  • Browser name and version
  • Device category and operating system
  • IP address associated with the request
  • Pages viewed and approximate visit duration
  • Referring website, when one is supplied

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small device files used to understand broad traffic patterns, such as popular pages and common exit points. Analytics providers may aggregate that activity. A browser can reject cookies, although blocking them may alter how some site functions behave.

What We Do With This Data

  • Route a submitted query to the selected search partner
  • Operate, secure, and improve page performance
  • Identify technical faults and repair them
  • Measure which resources visitors use
  • Display advertising that may reflect general interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

Ellis County Criminal History does not host, assemble, or sell a database of personal criminal records. It provides general directions to official custodians, including Ellis County courts, the sheriff, Texas DPS, and the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 controls dissemination of state criminal-history information, while the Texas Public Information Act in Government Code Chapter 552 governs requests to covered public bodies. Visitor data is not turned into a consumer report or a file about another person, and this site is not a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA.

Third-Party Search Partners

Outside companies operate the search boxes. Information submitted there falls under the provider's privacy terms, retention rules, and disclosure practices rather than this policy. Review the provider's terms before sending a query because we do not direct its data handling.

Links to Other Websites

Links lead to court portals, sheriff pages, Texas agencies, legal resources, and outside search services. Once a visitor leaves this site, the destination's privacy policy applies. Check it before providing personal information.

Advertising providers may use their own systems to measure activity across websites and select ads. Their tracking is outside our control.

Who Might See Your Data

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

  • Analytics vendors measuring traffic and page performance
  • Search providers processing a query submitted to them
  • Advertising networks serving ads on the site
  • Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal order

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable security measures are used for collected data. No internet service can guarantee perfect protection, so these safeguards cannot eliminate every risk of unauthorized access or loss.

Users Under 18

The site is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from a person under 18. If such information is identified, a deletion request may be submitted.

Your Data Rights

Rights can differ based on the law that applies to a visitor. Texas Government Code Chapters 552 and 411 address public records and state criminal-history access, not ownership of records by this private site. Subject to applicable privacy law, a visitor may:

  • Request access to personal data associated with them
  • Ask that inaccurate personal data be corrected
  • Seek deletion where the law permits it
  • Decline certain processing where an applicable right exists

Updates to This Policy

Revisions will be posted here and marked with a new effective date. The version shown on this page governs after publication.

Effective date: August 9, 2026