Fannin County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Fannin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Fannin County may access publicly available information through FanninRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Fannin County, Texas, may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and related justice system documentation. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law.
Record categories that may be accessible include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case filings
- Disposition records and sentencing information
- Active and historical warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Jail roster and inmate records
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are currently available to members of the public:
1. County Court Records The Fannin County District Clerk maintains court records for felony criminal cases, while the County Clerk handles misdemeanor matters. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for certain requests. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office lobby.
Fannin County District Clerk
101 E. Sam Rayburn Drive, Suite 201
Bonham, TX 75418
Phone: (903) 583-7459
Fannin County District Clerk
2. Sheriff's Office The Fannin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees apply for copies of records pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act.
Fannin County Sheriff's Office
101 E. Sam Rayburn Drive
Bonham, TX 75418
Phone: (903) 583-2143
Fannin County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search The Texas Judicial Branch provides an online case search portal through the Texas Courts case search system, where users may search by full name, case number, or date of birth. Results reflect cases filed in participating courts and may not include all historical records.
4. State Criminal History Repository The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a name-based or fingerprint-based request through the DPS Crime Records Service. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and are required for official background checks. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
Phone: (512) 424-2474
DPS Crime Records Service
5. Written/Mail Requests Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Fannin County District Clerk or County Clerk by mail. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and case number if known. Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, agencies are required to respond to public information requests within ten business days.
What Is Fannin County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official government document that reflects an individual's documented interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. In Texas, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the justice process, beginning at the point of arrest and continuing through final disposition.
Key distinctions under Texas law include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by a court. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential state prison sentences; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties and are adjudicated at the county level.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are presumptively public under Texas law. Juvenile records are confidential and are sealed by operation of law pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.003.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding legal process; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies that maintain criminal records in Fannin County include:
- Fannin County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Fannin County District Court and County Court – case files, charging documents, dispositions
- Texas Department of Public Safety – statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments – incident and arrest reports within their jurisdictions
Records may include charges filed, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The Texas Courts website provides access to court case information for participating jurisdictions.
Are Criminal Records Public In Fannin County
Criminal records in Fannin County are presumptively public under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq., which establishes that government records are open to the public unless a specific exception applies. As stated in the Act, "it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing information, and booking records. Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile records (sealed under Texas Family Code § 58.003)
- Expunged records (removed from public access by court order)
- Records subject to nondisclosure orders
- Ongoing criminal investigation files where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by court order
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government resources provide guidance on the scope of public access and applicable exemptions under state law. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to the Texas Public Information Act.
How To Find Criminal Records in Fannin County Online
Official County Resources
The Fannin County government website provides access to several online resources for locating criminal records. The Fannin County official website serves as the primary portal for county government services. Court case information for district court matters may be searched through the Texas Judicial Branch's online tools. No registration is required for basic case searches, though certified copies require in-person or written requests.
State-Level Resources
The Texas Courts case search portal allows users to search for case information across participating Texas courts by name or case number. The DPS Crime Records Service portal provides access to name-based criminal history searches for a fee, as well as fingerprint-based background checks for official purposes.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Understand that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court proceeding. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for official certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Fannin County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection Texas law mandates that members of the public may inspect public records at no charge. Under Texas Government Code § 552.271, agencies may not charge for inspection of records, only for copies. Public access terminals are available at the Fannin County District Clerk's office and the County Clerk's office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases The Texas Courts case search system provides free access to basic case information. The Fannin County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster on the county website at no charge. Arrest logs and booking reports are available for public inspection without fee.
3. Sheriff's Logs Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Fannin County Sheriff's Office. These logs are public records and may be inspected in person at no cost.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page (standard) |
| Official state background check (name-based) | $3.10 (DPS fee) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $15.00+ (DPS fee) |
| Staff-assisted research | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Varies |
Fees for copies of public records are governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission records retention schedules. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the responding agency.
What's Included in a Fannin County Criminal Record
Identifying Information A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, Texas State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information Arrest records contain the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the jail facility.
Court Case Information Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition Information Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date if applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, conditions of supervision, appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types A complete criminal history may also include active warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI/DWI records, and pending charges.
Records NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under state law)
- Expunged or nondisclosed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion programs (where nondisclosure applies)
Accuracy Note Criminal records may contain errors resulting from data entry, name similarities, or incomplete updates following case resolution. Individuals who identify errors in their Texas criminal history may submit a challenge through the DPS Crime Records Service. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Fannin County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements Texas criminal record retention is governed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission local government retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods for county government records. State law mandates that courts and law enforcement agencies retain records for specified periods depending on record type and case outcome.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction records | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction records | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 2 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 17 or 18; destruction eligibility varies |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with state retention rules. The Fannin County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for periods established by the applicable retention schedule. The Texas DPS maintains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and verification, with the electronic copy serving as the official record of retention.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement Destruction permanently eliminates a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, results in the removal and destruction of qualifying records from public and most government databases. Eligibility for expungement depends on the outcome of the case, the offense type, and the waiting period required by statute.
Old Records Access Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests and may be held in physical archives. Some older records are maintained by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Federal Records Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county records. Different retention and access rules apply.
Practical Implications Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on a subject's criminal history indefinitely unless expunged or subject to an order of nondisclosure. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are subject to a seven-year reporting limitation for certain records, though this does not affect the underlying government record. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. As a practical matter, even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the records have been legally expunged pursuant to court order.