Search Fannin County Criminal History Records
Fannin County criminal history records are kept by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Bonham, Texas. This page explains where to find felony and misdemeanor case files, how arrest records are maintained, and how to access court documents through county offices and the Texas statewide database system.
Fannin County Overview
Fannin County District Court Records
The Fannin County District Clerk is the primary office for felony criminal records. The office serves the 336th District Court and maintains all felony case files, including grand jury indictments, judgments, sentencing orders, and all motions filed during felony prosecutions. Anyone charged with a felony in Fannin County will have their case file held by the District Clerk.
You can visit the District Clerk at the Fannin County Courthouse in Bonham. Records can be searched by case number or defendant name. Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee established under Texas Government Code. All felony conviction records are kept on a permanent basis under state records retention requirements.
The District Clerk coordinates with the Texas DPS Crime Records Service to report all felony convictions to the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This ensures Fannin County data is included when someone runs a statewide criminal history check through DPS.
| Office | Fannin County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 336th District Court |
| County Site | co.fannin.tx.us |
Misdemeanor Records in Fannin County
Misdemeanor criminal cases in Fannin County are filed in the County Court, and the County Clerk keeps those records. Class A and Class B misdemeanor files include criminal complaints, judgments, fines assessed, and community supervision orders. The County Clerk is the right place to look for any misdemeanor case handled in Fannin County.
Public access to county court records is available under the Texas Public Information Act. You can request a name or case number search. Certified copies are available for a fee. The County Clerk also reports misdemeanor convictions to DPS for inclusion in the statewide criminal history system.
| Office | Fannin County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| County Site | co.fannin.tx.us |
Fannin County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Fannin County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the unincorporated parts of the county. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, offense reports, jail booking records, and warrant files. If someone was arrested outside city limits in Fannin County, the Sheriff's Office holds those records.
The Sheriff runs the Fannin County Jail. Records include booking photos, physical descriptions, bond amounts, charges filed, and release information. All arrest and booking data is transmitted to DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide database. The office keeps records on warrants issued and served in the county. Public information requests can be submitted in writing under the Texas Public Information Act.
The Sheriff's Office shares data through TCIC and NCIC for cross-jurisdictional records access. Officers also work alongside city police departments, state agencies, and federal law enforcement on certain cases. Closed investigative files and general arrest logs are typically available on request. Active investigation files may be withheld under lawful exceptions.
If you are looking for a recent arrest in Fannin County, contacting the Sheriff's Office directly is often the fastest way to get booking information. Some county jails post current inmate information online.
Texas Statewide Criminal History Search
Fannin County criminal history data is reported to the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History system through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. This database covers arrests and dispositions from all Texas counties, making it possible to run a search that includes Fannin County records as part of a statewide check.
Name-based searches are open to the public through DPS. Fingerprint-based searches produce more accurate results by matching on biometric data. DPS explains the process and applicable fees on their site. These searches are useful when you need a broader view of someone's criminal history across multiple Texas counties.
The Texas Courts re:SearchTX portal lets you look up district and county court case information statewide. This includes Fannin County cases that have been entered into the system. Basic case information is free. You can search by name or case number and see charge information, filing dates, and case disposition.
Older pre-1990s records may not appear in online databases. For historical case files, in-person visits to the Bonham courthouse are required.
Texas Laws Governing Criminal Records Access
Texas Government Code Chapter 411 sets the rules for who can access criminal history information and how that process works. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) gives the public the right to request government records, including court documents and law enforcement files held by county agencies.
Most court records at the District Clerk and County Clerk are open to the public. Some records can be sealed by court order. Juvenile records are subject to stricter access limits. Records covered by an expunction order under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 may be destroyed or withheld from public access.
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 classifies criminal offenses. Understanding the offense class helps you know which court handled the case. Felonies are in the District Court, misdemeanors in the County Court, and Class C violations in Justice of the Peace or municipal courts.
For help with public information requests or questions about your rights, contact the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division.
TDCJ Offender Records
Fannin County residents who were convicted of felonies and sent to state prison have records with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDCJ keeps offender information online and you can search by name to check on current or former state inmates. County jail records are kept separate. The Fannin County Jail holds pretrial detainees and people serving short misdemeanor sentences, and those records are with the Sheriff's Office, not TDCJ.
Cities in Fannin County
Fannin County includes Bonham and several smaller communities. All criminal cases in Fannin County are handled through the county court system based in Bonham.
Nearby Counties
Fannin County sits in North Texas near the Oklahoma border. Check the location of the case or incident if you are unsure which county has the records you need.