Upshur County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Upshur County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Upshur County may access publicly available information through official government channels, court repositories, and third-party aggregators such as UpshurRecords.org. Criminal records maintained by Upshur County agencies may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, conviction histories, sentencing data, and active warrant information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing public disclosure.
The following record categories are among those that may be accessible through official sources:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction histories
- Jail inmate rosters
- Active and recalled warrants
- Sex offender registration records
- Protective orders
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The five primary methods for obtaining criminal records in Upshur County are detailed below.
1. County Court Records
The Upshur County District Clerk maintains criminal court case files for felony matters, while the County Clerk handles misdemeanor cases at the county court level. Members of the public may inspect case records in person during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Upshur County District Clerk
405 N. Titus St., Suite 202
Gilmer, TX 75644
Phone: (903) 843-4195
Upshur County District Clerk
Upshur County Clerk
405 N. Titus St., Suite 103
Gilmer, TX 75644
Phone: (903) 843-4015
Upshur County Clerk
Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for case index searches.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Upshur County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for incident reports or arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records. The jail roster is periodically updated and may be available for public inspection at the facility.
Upshur County Sheriff's Office
405 N. Titus St.
Gilmer, TX 75644
Phone: (903) 843-2541
Upshur County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Texas Judicial Branch provides a statewide case search tool through the Texas Courts Online case search portal. Requestors may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal returns case-level information including filing dates, charge descriptions, and case status. Not all historical records are available electronically, and the portal does not substitute for a certified background check.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the state's official criminal history repository. Individuals and authorized entities may submit requests for criminal history records through the DPS Crime Records Service. Requests for personal criminal history require fingerprint submission and a processing fee, currently set at $15.00 for a name-based search and $25.00 for a fingerprint-based search. Processing times vary but are typically completed within five to ten business days.
Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
Phone: (512) 424-2474
DPS Crime Records Service
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Upshur County District Clerk or County Clerk by mail. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the type of record sought. Under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.221 requires governmental bodies to respond to written requests within ten business days.
What Is Upshur County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Upshur County is an official government document or collection of documents that reflects an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Under Texas law, a criminal record may encompass arrest records, charging documents, arraignment records, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, probation and parole status, and any subsequent modifications to those records.
The distinction between record types is significant for legal and practical purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of criminal liability. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt, whether by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve offenses punishable by confinement in a state penitentiary. Misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses typically punishable by fines or confinement in a county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are presumptively public under Texas law. Juvenile records are confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.007 and are not subject to public disclosure except in limited circumstances.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Upshur County include the Upshur County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Upshur County District Clerk and County Clerk (court records and case files), the Texas Department of Public Safety (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments within the county. Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as cases progress through the criminal justice system, from initial booking through final disposition and any post-conviction proceedings.
Are Criminal Records Public In Upshur County
Criminal records in Upshur County are presumptively public under the Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code Chapter 552. The Act establishes that "each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and most arrest records are accessible to members of the public upon request.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under current law:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Records subject to a court-ordered expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01
- Records sealed under an order of nondisclosure
- Ongoing criminal investigation files where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The Texas Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public information rights and agency obligations through the Office of the Attorney General Open Government resources. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate disclosure frameworks, including the Privacy Act of 1974, and are not governed by the Texas Public Information Act.
How To Find Criminal Records in Upshur County Online
Official County Resources
The Upshur County government website provides access to select public records through its online portal at co.upshur.tx.us. The Sheriff's Office may publish a current jail roster accessible without registration. Court case index information may be available through the clerk's office portal, though not all case documents are available in electronic form. Older records and sealed matters are not accessible through online county tools.
State-Level Resources
The Texas Judicial Branch maintains the Texas Courts case search system, which allows searches by party name or case number across participating courts. The Texas Department of Public Safety provides criminal history background check services through its Secure DPS portal. These state-level tools provide broader search capability than county-specific portals.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Be aware that records older than approximately 20 years may not be digitized
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks from the date of a court action or arrest. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may require in-person requests. Online search results do not constitute an official background check and are not suitable for employment screening, licensing, or other purposes requiring certified documentation.
Can You Search Upshur County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Texas Government Code § 552.221 mandates that governmental bodies permit free inspection of public records. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Upshur County District Clerk's office and County Clerk's office without charge. Copying fees apply to reproductions of documents.
2. Free Online Databases: The Texas Courts case search portal and the Upshur County Sheriff's jail roster are accessible at no cost. These tools provide case-level information and current inmate status without registration or fees.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports may be available for public inspection at the Upshur County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Service | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page (plus certification fee) |
| Official state criminal history (name-based) | $15.00 |
| Official state criminal history (fingerprint-based) | $25.00 |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing (DPS) | Additional fee may apply |
State Fee Law
Under Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge for the actual cost of producing copies of public records. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, including for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
What's Included in a Upshur County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A complete criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charge descriptions and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or case outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing information (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
A criminal record may also reflect active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI/DWI adjudications, certain traffic violations, and pending charges not yet resolved.
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under Texas Family Code § 58.007)
- Expunged or nondisclosed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Charges dismissed through completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or through the Texas Department of Public Safety's criminal history correction process. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Upshur County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Texas law establishes minimum retention periods for government records through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's Local Schedule CC, which governs court records, and Local Schedule J, which governs law enforcement records. County agencies are required to comply with these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the District Clerk and the Texas DPS criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently at the county level under current retention schedules
- Arrest records (no conviction): Retained for a minimum period; may be subject to expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained with disposition noted; eligible for expunction in many circumstances
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 17 or upon completion of the juvenile court's jurisdiction; destruction timelines governed by Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the matter
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with Local Schedule CC. The Upshur County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records pursuant to Local Schedule J, with varying retention periods by record type. The Texas DPS maintains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and verification, with the electronic version serving as the official record of retention.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction results in the permanent elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access but preserves the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.01, results in the removal of records from public databases and requires agencies to return or destroy records. Eligibility for expunction depends on the nature of the charge, the outcome of the case, and the passage of applicable waiting periods. Expunction forms and eligibility information are available through the Texas Courts self-help resources.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by federal law and separate retention schedules. These records are not subject to Texas Public Information Act requests and are maintained independently of county and state repositories.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on an individual's criminal history indefinitely unless legally expunged or sealed. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though no such limitation applies to positions involving public trust or professional licensure. Professional licensing boards in Texas may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even where a county agency has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a court has ordered expunction.