Fannin County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fannin County
Arrest records in Fannin County, Texas, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Tex. Gov't Code § 552.001, members of the public are entitled to access government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Texas Public Information Act establishes a strong presumption in favor of openness, meaning that arrest records held by the Fannin County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement bodies are presumptively available for public inspection.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under Texas law, individuals who are arrested but not convicted may be eligible to have their arrest records sealed or expunged, which would remove those records from public access. The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division serves as the state's central repository for criminal history information and maintains records submitted by law enforcement agencies across Texas, including Fannin County.
Certain categories of arrest information may be withheld from public disclosure. Under Tex. Gov't Code § 552.108, law enforcement records that deal with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime may be excepted from required disclosure if their release would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime, or if they are records of a closed criminal investigation that did not result in a conviction.
What's in Fannin County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by Fannin County law enforcement agencies contain a standardized set of data fields that document the circumstances and outcome of each arrest. The following categories of information are typically included in a Fannin County arrest record.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Race, sex, height, weight, and physical descriptors
- Social Security Number (may be redacted in public-facing records)
- Current and last known address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Fannin County Sheriff's Office, Bonham Police Department)
- Incident or case number associated with the arrest
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
- Texas Penal Code section(s) cited
- Whether charges were later amended, dismissed, or upgraded
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Type of warrant (arrest warrant, bench warrant, capias)
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned at the jail
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was booked (e.g., Fannin County Jail)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint records
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (personal recognizance, cash bond, surety bond)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, denied)
Court Information:
- Court assigned to the case
- Scheduled court dates and hearing types
- Case disposition if available at time of record request
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and release type if applicable
- Transfer information if the individual was moved to another facility
Additional Information May Include:
- Probation or parole status at time of arrest
- Prior arrest history as documented in the record
- Victim information (typically redacted in public records)
- Narrative or incident report summaries (subject to exemption review)
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Fannin County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Fannin County arrest records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the Correct Agency. Arrest records are maintained by the agency that made the arrest. For most arrests in unincorporated Fannin County, the primary custodian is the Fannin County Sheriff's Office. For arrests made within city limits, the relevant municipal police department may hold the originating record.
Step 2 — Submit a Public Information Request. Under the Texas Public Information Act, any person may submit a written request for public records. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate agency's public information officer. The agency is generally required to respond within ten business days.
Step 3 — Contact the Fannin County Sheriff's Office. For arrest and jail records, members of the public should direct requests to:
Fannin County Sheriff's Office 2389 Silo Road, Bonham, TX 75418 Phone: 903-640-4171 Fannin County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays.
Step 4 — Request Court Records Through the County Clerk. For arrest records that have progressed to court proceedings, members of the public may also access related documents through the Fannin County Clerk's Office.
Fannin County Clerk's Office 101 E. Sam Rayburn Drive, Suite 101, Bonham, TX 75418 Phone: 903-583-7486 Fannin County Clerk's Office
Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays.
Step 5 — Request Statewide Criminal History from DPS. For a comprehensive criminal history that includes arrests across Texas, individuals may submit a request to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Texas Department of Public Safety — Crime Records Division P.O. Box 4143, Austin, TX 78765 Phone: 512-424-2474 Texas DPS Crime Records Division
How To Find Fannin County Arrest Records Online
Several official online resources currently provide access to Fannin County arrest and court records without requiring an in-person visit.
The Fannin County Court public records search portal allows members of the public to search court-related records, including case filings associated with arrests, directly through the county's official website. Users may search by name, case number, or other available identifiers.
The Fannin County Clerk's Office currently provides online access to many land and court records, with the digital archive expanding over time to include older historical records.
For individuals seeking information about persons currently or previously incarcerated in a Texas state facility following a Fannin County arrest and conviction, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender information portal provides searchable inmate location and general information online, by email, or by telephone.
The Texas DPS maintains a statewide criminal history database accessible through its crime records services portal, where authorized requestors may submit electronic inquiries for criminal history reports.
How To Search Fannin County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain Fannin County arrest records at no cost through official government channels.
- Online Court Records Portal: The Fannin County Court public records search is available at no charge and allows basic case and arrest-related court record searches.
- In-Person Inspection: Under Tex. Gov't Code § 552.021, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no cost. Visiting the Fannin County Sheriff's Office or the County Clerk's Office during public counter hours allows free inspection of available records.
- TDCJ Offender Search: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender information search is available to the public at no cost for general inmate location and status information.
- Copies and Fees: While inspection is free, agencies may charge a reasonable fee for producing paper or electronic copies of records, consistent with the cost schedule established by the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Fannin County
Texas law provides two primary legal mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expunction and nondisclosure (sealing).
Expunction results in the physical destruction or return of all records related to an arrest, as though the arrest never occurred. Under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 55.01, a person may be entitled to expunction if the arrest did not result in a conviction, the charges were dismissed, the person was acquitted at trial, or the statute of limitations has expired without prosecution. Following a successful expunction, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other entities are required to destroy or return all records related to the arrest.
Nondisclosure (Sealing) restricts public access to criminal records without destroying them. Under Tex. Gov't Code § 411.071 et seq., eligible individuals who received deferred adjudication community supervision and successfully completed it may petition a court for an order of nondisclosure. Once granted, the records are sealed from public view, though certain government agencies may still access them.
Steps to Pursue Expunction or Nondisclosure in Fannin County:
- Determine eligibility based on the outcome of the case and the applicable waiting periods under Texas law.
- Obtain all relevant case records from the Fannin County Clerk's Office and the Sheriff's Office to document the arrest and disposition.
- File a petition for expunction or nondisclosure in the appropriate Fannin County district or county court.
- Serve all relevant agencies named in the petition, including the Sheriff's Office, the District Attorney's Office, and the Texas DPS.
- Attend the scheduled court hearing; if the court grants the petition, a signed order will be issued directing all named agencies to expunge or seal the records.
- Provide certified copies of the court order to each named agency to ensure compliance.
Individuals are strongly advised to consult a licensed Texas attorney to assess eligibility and navigate the petition process.
What Happens After Arrest in Fannin County?
The criminal justice process in Fannin County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
Arrest and Booking: Upon arrest, the individual is transported to the Fannin County Jail, located at 2389 Silo Road, Bonham, TX 75418, where booking procedures are completed. Booking includes recording personal identifying information, photographing, fingerprinting, and logging the charges.
Initial Appearance and Magistration: Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual must be brought before a magistrate, who informs the person of the charges, advises them of their rights, and sets bail conditions pursuant to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Bond Determination: The magistrate sets a bond amount based on the nature of the offense, the individual's criminal history, and flight risk. The individual may be released upon posting bond or may remain in custody pending trial.
Grand Jury or Information: For felony charges, the case is typically presented to a grand jury, which determines whether sufficient evidence exists to indict. For misdemeanor charges, the District Attorney's Office may file an information directly with the court.
Arraignment: The defendant appears before the court, is formally informed of the charges, and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Pre-Trial Proceedings and Trial: The case proceeds through pre-trial motions, discovery, and, if not resolved by plea agreement, a jury or bench trial.
Disposition: The case concludes with acquittal, conviction, dismissal, or deferred adjudication. The outcome is recorded in the court record maintained by the Fannin County Clerk's Office.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Fannin County?
Arrest records in Fannin County are subject to retention schedules established under Texas state law and the policies of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Under the Texas Local Government Records Act, local government agencies are required to maintain records in accordance with approved retention schedules, which specify minimum periods for which records must be kept before they may be destroyed.
For law enforcement agencies such as the Fannin County Sheriff's Office, arrest records associated with felony offenses are generally retained permanently or for a period of several decades. Records related to misdemeanor arrests may be retained for shorter periods, typically ranging from five to ten years following case closure, depending on the offense classification and applicable schedule.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission publishes the Local Schedule PS (Public Safety Records), which governs retention for law enforcement records statewide. Different agencies within the county — including the Sheriff's Office, the District Attorney's Office, and the County Clerk — maintain their own copies of related records and may have differing retention periods for each record type.
Retention of arrest records serves multiple public interests: it preserves evidence for potential future proceedings, supports accountability in the criminal justice system, and provides an accurate historical record for background check purposes. Records subject to a valid expunction order are exempt from standard retention requirements and must be destroyed or returned as directed by the court.
How to Find Mugshots in Fannin County
What Mugshots Are
A mugshot is a standardized booking photograph taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into custody. Mugshots are part of the official booking record and document the individual's appearance at the time of arrest.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Fannin County, booking photographs are maintained by the Fannin County Sheriff's Office as part of the jail booking record. The Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of these images for arrests processed through the Fannin County Jail at 2389 Silo Road, Bonham, TX 75418.
Finding Mugshots
Members of the public seeking a specific booking photograph may submit a public information request to the Fannin County Sheriff's Office, referencing the individual's name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. The Sheriff's Office will review the request and respond within the timeframe required by the Texas Public Information Act.
Can They Be Found Online
At present, Fannin County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database through its official website. Some third-party websites aggregate and publish booking photographs sourced from public records; however, the accuracy and currency of information on such sites is not guaranteed by any government agency.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The most reliable method for obtaining an official booking photograph is to submit a written public information request directly to the Fannin County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the agency's designated public information officer.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Certain booking photographs may be withheld from public disclosure if their release would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a witness, or if the individual has obtained a valid expunction or nondisclosure order. Juvenile booking photographs are generally not subject to public disclosure under Texas law.