Criminal records in Fannin County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels. FanninCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information from Fannin County courts. Additional access points include the county's official online court records portal, the Fannin County Clerk's Office and District Clerk's Office, the Fannin County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety's statewide criminal history repository.
How to Search Criminal Records in Fannin
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Fannin County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- FanninCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information from Fannin County, including criminal case data.
- Fannin County Court Public Records Search — The county provides web access to both county and district court records, including criminal cases and the court calendar.
- Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search — The Texas Department of Public Safety allows public name-based criminal history searches for a fee. This covers statewide records, not just Fannin County.
- TDCJ Inmate Search — If someone has been sentenced to a Texas state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains an online offender locator.
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas — For federal criminal cases originating in Fannin County, search through the federal court's PACER system.
In Person
Visit the Fannin County District Clerk's Office for district-level criminal case files, or the Fannin County Clerk's Office for county court criminal records. Both offices are located at the Fannin County Courthouse in Bonham.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Fannin County District Clerk's Office at 200 E. 1st Street, Bonham, TX 75418, or email dcrecords@fanninco.net. All record and information requests must be submitted in writing.
- For statewide criminal history, submit a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known — the fastest way to locate a specific case)
- Offense type or approximate date range (optional but useful)
Search Fannin Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the most direct way to pull up a specific criminal case in Fannin County.
Texas case numbers generally follow a format assigned by the filing clerk's office. In Fannin County, a typical case number may include:
- A prefix or letter code indicating the court type (e.g., "CR" for criminal)
- A two-digit year designating when the case was filed
- A sequential number assigned in the order the case was received
For example, a case number like CR-24-00123 would indicate a criminal case filed in 2024, with 00123 as the sequential filing number. County court cases and district court cases may use slightly different prefixes.
Enter the full case number into the Fannin County Court Public Records Search tool for the fastest results. If you only have a partial number, try searching by the defendant's name and narrowing by year.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Fannin
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The specific section of the Texas Penal Code or other statute the defendant is accused of violating |
| Felony | Serious offenses (e.g., aggravated assault, burglary) — handled in Fannin County District Court |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious offenses (e.g., theft under $2,500, DWI first offense) — typically handled in Fannin County Court |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be changed through plea negotiations or based on new evidence |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action.
- Active — Proceedings are currently underway.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All matters related to the case, including sentencing and compliance, are complete.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-trial hearing — Motions, plea discussions, and scheduling occur before trial.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes punishment after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing — The court checks on probation compliance or other post-disposition conditions.
Court Results
| Outcome | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The case was dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor chose not to pursue the case |
| Deferred adjudication | The defendant is placed on community supervision; if completed successfully, a conviction may not be entered (common in Texas) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Fannin
Certified copies carry an official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, and licensing applications. The office you contact depends on the type of court that handled the case.
District Court Criminal Records
Felony criminal case records are maintained by the Fannin County District Clerk.
- How to request: Submit a written request in person, by mail, or by email. All requests must be in writing.
- Identification: Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests.
- Include: The defendant's full name, case number (if known), and the specific records you need.
County Court Criminal Records
Misdemeanor criminal records from county courts are maintained by the Fannin County Clerk.
- How to request: Visit in person or send a written request by mail. Specify that you need a certified copy.
- Identification: A valid photo ID is typically required for in-person requests.
Statewide Criminal History
For a complete Texas criminal history report, submit a request through the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. You can do this online or by mail.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Fannin
Fees for criminal record copies in Texas are governed by the Texas Local Government Code and the Government Code. Below are standard fees that generally apply in Fannin County.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 | Per Texas Local Government Code §118.052 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 | Certification fee per document, per Texas Local Government Code §118.052 |
| Texas DPS name-based criminal history search | $3.00 | Online via the DPS Criminal History Search |
| Texas DPS fingerprint-based background check | Varies | Required for certain employment and licensing purposes |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days, depending on the volume of requests and the age of the records.
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days after receipt, though older records or complex requests may take longer.
- Texas DPS online search: Results are usually returned immediately after payment.
Confirm current fees directly with the District Clerk's Office or the County Clerk's Office before submitting your request, as fees may be updated periodically.