Franklin County Criminal History Records
Franklin County criminal history records are kept by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Mount Vernon, Texas. This page explains where to find felony and misdemeanor case files, how arrest records are maintained, and how to access court documents through the county and through Texas statewide criminal history databases.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County District Court Records
The Franklin County District Clerk handles all felony criminal records for the county. This office serves the 8th District Court. Felony case files include grand jury indictments, judgments, sentencing orders, and all documents from felony prosecutions. If someone faced a felony charge in Franklin County, the District Clerk in Mount Vernon has the case file.
You can visit the District Clerk at the Franklin County Courthouse. Staff can search records by case number or defendant name. Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee set by Texas Government Code. Felony conviction records are kept permanently under state records retention requirements.
The District Clerk reports all felony convictions to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History system. Franklin County data is accessible through any statewide DPS criminal history search.
| Office | Franklin County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 8th District Court |
| County Site | co.franklin.tx.us |
Misdemeanor Records in Franklin County
Misdemeanor cases in Franklin County are handled in the County Court, and the County Clerk keeps those records. Class A and Class B misdemeanor files include complaints, judgments, fines, and community supervision orders. The County Clerk in Mount Vernon is the right office for any misdemeanor case from Franklin County.
Access to these records is available under the Texas Public Information Act. You can request a search by case number or defendant name. Certified copies are available for a fee. Misdemeanor conviction data is reported to DPS for the statewide criminal history database.
| Office | Franklin County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| County Site | co.franklin.tx.us |
Franklin County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county's unincorporated areas. The Sheriff keeps arrest records, incident reports, jail booking records, and warrant files. Franklin County is a small East Texas county, and the Sheriff is typically the first point of contact for law enforcement records.
The Sheriff operates the Franklin County Jail. Records there include booking photos, physical descriptions, bond amounts, charges, and release information. All arrest and booking data is sent to DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide database. Active and served warrant records are also maintained. You can submit a written public information request under the Texas Public Information Act.
The Sheriff's Office works with the Texas Rangers and other state agencies on complex cases. Data is shared through TCIC and NCIC. General arrest records and closed case files are usually available on request. Active investigations may have some materials withheld under lawful exemptions.
For a recent arrest in Franklin County, contact the Sheriff's Office in Mount Vernon directly. They can provide current booking information or direct you to the right resource.
Texas Statewide Criminal History Search
Franklin County criminal history data is included in the Texas Computerized Criminal History system through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. A statewide DPS search covers records from every Texas county, including Franklin. This is a practical option for any county where local online access is limited.
Name-based searches are available to the public. Fingerprint-based searches give more accurate results. DPS explains the process and fees on their website. Use the statewide system when you need a broader view of someone's criminal history across multiple Texas counties.
The Texas Courts re:SearchTX portal provides free basic online access to district and county court case information statewide. Franklin County cases in the system can be searched by name or case number. The portal shows charge information, filing dates, and case dispositions.
Older pre-1990s records may not be digitized. Visit the Mount Vernon courthouse in person for historical case files.
Texas Laws on Criminal Record Access
Texas Government Code Chapter 411 governs criminal history data access. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) gives the public the right to request court and law enforcement records from county offices.
Most court records at the District and County Clerk are open to the public. Some records can be sealed. Juvenile records are restricted. Records subject to expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 may be removed from public access.
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 classifies offenses. Felonies go to District Court, misdemeanors to County Court, Class C violations to Justice of the Peace or municipal courts. Knowing the offense class tells you which clerk has the file.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division can help with questions about your public records rights.
TDCJ Offender Records
Franklin County residents sentenced to state prison have records with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDCJ maintains an online offender search by name. The Franklin County Jail holds pretrial detainees and short-term misdemeanor inmates. Those records remain with the Sheriff's Office, not TDCJ.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County includes Mount Vernon and smaller communities. All criminal cases in Franklin County are handled through the county court system in Mount Vernon.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County is in Northeast Texas. Check the location of the case to confirm which county holds the records you need.