Are Criminal Records in Grayson County Publicly Accessible?

Yes, Grayson County criminal records are publicly accessible. Chapter 552 of the Texas Code mandates public access to official government records (this includes Grayson County criminal records). Under Texas laws, requesters may obtain copies of Grayson County arrest, conviction, and incarceration records.

However, not all Grayson County criminal records are disclosable. Individuals cannot access expunged criminal records. In addition, unless there are legal authorization or judicial orders, entities cannot access sealed and juvenile criminal records. Also, the Grayson County District Clerk's Office and other custodians will redact information that violates privacy or expose the public to danger.

Who is Eligible to Access Grayson County Criminal Records in Texas?

Every individual is eligible to access Grayson County criminal records. The Texas Public Information Act does restrict any entity from accessing open criminal records. Hence, these documents are accessible to:

• The public
• Owners of the records
• The courts
• Journalist
• Law enforcement
• Attorneys
• Researchers
• Authorized agencies
• Employers
• Licensing agencies.

Nevertheless, access to criminal records or information may depend on their types and the requesters. Some county criminal records are limited, and requesters may require legal authorization, court orders, or special consent. For instance, access to sealed and juvenile criminal records requires authorization.

How to Request Criminal Records in Grayson County

Several options are available to individuals seeking to access Grayson County criminal records. Inquirers may request access to criminal records through the Grayson County District or County Clerk's Offices (felony and misdemeanor records), Grayson County Sheriff's Office (arrest records, warrants, and jail records), and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (criminal histories and background checks).

Individuals seeking records should:

• Log into the Grayson County District Clerk's Office Judicial Records Search Portal and search for criminal records by names or case numbers.
• Search for jail or bond details through the Grayson County Jail and Bond Records portals
• Download a Grayson County District Clerk's Search Request Form:
• Complete the necessary section
• Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and check/money order to cover the copy fees
• Depending on the type of criminal records, mail the request to any of the following addresses:

Grayson County District Clerk's Office (felony records)
Grayson County Justice Center
District Clerk's Office
200 S. Crockett Street, Suite 120A,
Sherman,
Texas 75090

Grayson County Clerk's Office (misdemeanor criminal records)
Grayson County Courthouse
100 W. Houston, Suite 17,
Sherman,
Texas 75090

Grayson County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records)
200 S. Crockett Street, Suite 105A,
Sherman,
TX 75090

• Log into the Texas Department of Public Safety's (TDPS) Crime History Conviction Name Search Portal and perform a name-based search for Grayson County criminal records. Alternatively:
• Obtain a Service Code for Texas DPS Criminal History Records from the DPS
• Visit the nearest IdentoGo Center, provide the Service Code, and schedule an appointment for digital fingerprinting
• Log into the Texas DPS SecureSite, create an account, and enter the Universal Enrollment Identification Code from the IdentoGO receipt.
• Make payments and download criminal history.

Requesters may also submit their requests in person or through mail to:

Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Division
5805 North Lamar Boulevard,
Austin,
TX 78752-4422
Phone: (512) 424-2474
Email: crime.records@dps.texas.gov.

Mail address
P.O. Box 4143
Austin,
TX 78765-4143.

Furthermore, Grayson County criminal records may be accessible through independent platforms like texascourtrecords.us and other private online repositories.

Interested individuals should submit valid government-issued IDs to the Grayson County District Clerk's Office or any specific records custodian to confirm their eligibility to access the information.

The wait time for delivery of criminal records after request payments depends on the agency and the request method:

Grayson County District Clerk & County Clerk Offices

• In-person requests - immediately if the records are available
• Mail requests - 5 to 10 business days
• Online requests (if the records are available) - 1 to 3 business days

Grayson County Sheriff’s Office

• In-person requests (if the records are available) - immediately
• Mail requests - 5 to 15 business days

Texas Department of Public Safety

• Online request - 1 to 5 business days
• Mail request - 10 to 30 business days.

Also, the following fees apply to certified and non-certified copies:

• Search fee if the case number is not available - $5.00
• Copy fee - $1.00 per page
• Certification fee - $5.00.

What Information is Contained in Grayson County Criminal Records?

Grayson County criminal records contain the following information:

Personal details

• Name
• Known aliases
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Ethnicity

Arrest records

• Date and location of arrest
• Name of the arresting agency
• Charges against the subject
• Mugshots
• Bail/bond details

Case information

• Case number
• Trial dates
• Plea entered
• Judgment and disposition
• Sentencing information
• Length of prison or jail term
• Fines and restrictions
• Probation terms
• Case status.

Criminal records may also contain appeal information, probation/parole, and warrant information.

Requesters should note that Texas laws exempt access to sealed, expunged, and juvenile criminal records. The Grayson County District Clerk's Office typically redacts information that infringes privacy laws or endangers the public.

Are There Restrictions on Accessing Criminal Records in Grayson County?

Yes, some Grayson County criminal records are restricted, as are sealed, expunged, and juvenile arrest records. Also, due to privacy and safety concerns, unauthorized entities cannot access documents relating to active investigations, medical and mental health, and domestic violence and abuse.

Only law enforcement agencies, the courts, and authorized entities may access sealed criminal records.

What Happens if My Request for Criminal Records is Denied in Grayson County?

If a custodian agency denies access to Grayson County criminal records, the requester should confirm their eligibility to access the documents and request a written explanation for the decision. The individual should appeal to the agency to reconsider its decision. If the unsuccessful, file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's office at:

The Office of the Attorney General – Open Records Division
P.O. Box 12548,
Austin,
TX 78711-2548
Phone: (512) 478-6736

The Texas Attorney's Office will review the agency's decision to ensure it complies with the Texas Public Information Act and other enabling laws. If the Attorney General's Office upholds the decision and there are reasons to believe it is not a fair judgment, the applicant should seek legal advice.

How to Expunge or Seal Grayson County Criminal Records

The following conditions may qualify a Grayson County criminal record for expunction or order of non-disclosure:

• Their associated crime did not result in a conviction
• The owner of the record completes the sentence for the offense
• The criminal record results from a wrongful arrest
• The convict receives a pardon from Texas Governor
• The criminal record is for an eligible crime (for instance, a Class C misdemeanor)
• The petitioner observes the waiting period for the crime
• The applicant pays all applicable fines and makes restitution (if necessary)
• The individual completes a deferred adjudication program.

The following steps outline the general steps for sealing or removing criminal records:

• Confirm eligibility for expunction or order of nondisclosure
• Gather documents that will support the petition (this includes arrest history, disposition documents, and proof of acquittal or completion of adjudication program)
• Submit a written petition (including the support documents) to the Grayson County District Clerk's Office (for felony cases) or the Grayson County Clerk's Office (for misdemeanors)
• Pay the applicable filing fee
• Send notice of the petition to the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office, the arresting agency, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Wait for the court to decide.
• If the petition is successful, the court will issue expunction or sealing orders and notify the relevant agencies to update their databases.