Sabine County Criminal History Records
Sabine County criminal history records are maintained by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Hemphill, Texas. This page covers how to find felony case files, misdemeanor records, arrest logs, and court documents from Sabine County. Most records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, though some files have restricted access depending on the nature of the case.
Sabine County Overview
Sabine County District Court Records
The District Clerk in Hemphill is the official keeper of all felony criminal case files in Sabine County. This office serves the 1st District Court and holds indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and all motions filed in felony cases. Every felony prosecution in Sabine County is on file here. Staff search by case number or defendant name.
Sabine County is a small, rural East Texas county near the Sabine National Forest and Toledo Bend Reservoir. The courthouse in Hemphill handles all district-level court filings. You can visit in person or submit a written request under the Texas Public Information Act. The District Clerk reports all felony conviction data to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service, which adds that data to the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system.
Files include grand jury indictments, all pretrial motions, and the final judgment and sentencing documents. These records are permanent under state law. Certified copies carry a per-page fee set by Texas statute.
| Office | Sabine County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 1st District Court |
| Address | Sabine County Courthouse, Hemphill, TX 75948 |
| County Website | Sabine County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Records in Sabine County
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Sabine County are filed in the County Court. The County Clerk keeps those records in Hemphill. Files include the criminal complaint, court judgment, fines or community supervision orders, and final disposition. If someone was charged with a misdemeanor in Sabine County, that file is at the County Clerk's office.
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) governs access to these records. You can request a search by defendant name or case number. Certified copies carry a statutory fee. The County Clerk also sends misdemeanor conviction data to DPS for inclusion in the statewide CCH system.
| Office | Sabine County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| Location | Sabine County Courthouse, Hemphill, TX 75948 |
Sabine County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Sabine County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county and keeps arrest records, incident reports, jail booking logs, and warrant data. Arrests made by the Sheriff's Office generate files at this agency.
The Sheriff runs the county jail in Hemphill. Booking records include charges filed, bond amounts, and scheduled court dates. Digital booking photos are part of each booking record. All arrest data is sent to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service for inclusion in the statewide CCH system. The office participates in TCIC and NCIC for records sharing with agencies across Texas and nationally.
Public information requests can be submitted to the Sheriff's Office for closed case files, arrest logs, and general incident reports. Active investigation files may be withheld. Contact the Sabine County Sheriff's Office to confirm current request procedures and office hours before visiting.
Texas Statewide Criminal History Search
Sabine County data is part of the Texas Computerized Criminal History system run by the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. All Texas counties report arrest and conviction data to this central database. A statewide search is broader than a county-level search.
DPS offers name-based and fingerprint-based searches. Name searches are available to the public. Fingerprint searches are more precise and used for official and licensing purposes. Check the DPS website for current fees and how to submit each type of request.
The Texas Courts re:SearchTX portal gives free online access to court records statewide. Search by name or case number. Sabine County cases that are in the system will appear in results. For older records not yet in the online system, contact the District Clerk or County Clerk in Hemphill.
Texas Laws That Govern Record Access
Criminal records in Sabine County fall under several state laws. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 sets out who can access criminal history data and what limits apply. Courts, law enforcement, and state agencies have broad access. Public access is more limited for certain record types.
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) gives the public the right to request records from government offices. Agencies must respond within ten business days. If an agency believes a record is exempt, it must ask the Texas Attorney General's Office for a ruling before withholding it.
Some records are sealed or restricted by court order. Juvenile records have stricter access rules. 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, determining which clerk holds the case file.
State Offender Records and TDCJ
Sabine County residents convicted of felonies and sent to state prison also appear in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender database. TDCJ makes this information available online. A name search shows whether someone is in state prison or has a prior TDCJ record.
County jail records and TDCJ records are separate systems. The Sabine County Jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short misdemeanor sentences. The Sheriff's Office keeps those records. TDCJ records cover people serving state felony sentences. Both are worth checking for a complete picture.
Texas DPS Crime Records Portal
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service collects arrest and conviction data from all Texas counties, including Sabine. The DPS site explains how to request a criminal history record and what identification is needed.
A name-based DPS search returns records for anyone with a file in the Texas CCH system. Results show offense type, conviction date, and county. Fee information is listed on the DPS website.
Open Government and Public Records Rights
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division enforces the Texas Public Information Act. If a Sabine County office denies a valid records request without proper authority, you can file a complaint with the AG for a binding opinion.
The AG reviews disputed requests and issues guidance to agencies. Most offices comply with the AG's ruling. The AG website has a complaint form and guidance on your rights under the Public Information Act.
Cities in Sabine County
Sabine County includes Hemphill and several very small communities. All criminal cases from the county are handled by the court system in Hemphill.
Nearby Counties
Sabine County is in deep East Texas and borders Shelby, San Augustine, Jasper, and Newton counties. Check the county where the arrest or case occurred to find the right office.