Panola County Arrest Records

An arrest is the act of legally placing an individual in police custody. In Panola County, Texas, this often happens when an individual commits an offense in view of a law enforcement officer or following the issuance of an arrest warrant by a magistrate. Crimes for which a person may be arrested in Panola range from misdemeanors to felonies, encompassing minor crimes like disorderly conduct and more serious crimes like aggravated assault (Chapter 14 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure).

Following an arrest, the individual is typically taken to a local detention facility, such as the Panola County Jail (operated by the Panola County Sheriff's Office). When in custody, the arrestee undergoes a booking process that includes documenting their personal information, fingerprints, and photographs. This process generates the official arrest record, which details the arrest circumstances and the arrestee's personal information.

The Panola County Sheriff's Office or the arresting local police department is responsible for creating and maintaining arrest records. These records are crucial for the criminal justice process and often become part of broader public records. For example, arrest information may be included in Panola County court records, which are generated if charges are formally filed in court. Arrest records also help with background checks and investigations, and they can guide a judge during sentencing by showing whether a defendant has a pattern of criminal behavior. Furthermore, Panola County arrest records provide critical information about crime trends within the county.

Are Arrest Records Public in Panola County?

Yes. Under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), most Panola County arrest records are considered public records. Indexed in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, the PIA grants individuals the legal authority to inspect or retrieve copies of arrest records maintained by public agencies, including the Panola County Sheriff's Office and local police departments.

However, not all arrest information is subject to public disclosure. Common exemptions include:

• Details of active criminal investigations
• Juvenile arrest records
• Records expunged or sealed by court order
• Information that reveals the identity of protected victims or witnesses
• Records containing sensitive personal identifiers, such as social security numbers, medical information, or financial data

In summary, anyone can generally request arrest records without providing a reason. However, confidential records are accessible only to authorized individuals, such as the person involved or their attorney. Sometimes, a court order may be required to access specific information within an otherwise public arrest record.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Information available in a typical public Panola County arrest record includes:

• Arrestee's full name
• Booking number, date, and time
• Release information
• Arresting agency
• Charges

Panola County Arrest Statistics

The 2023 Crime in Texas report provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety gives the arrest statistics for Panola County as follows:

• Total number of arrests: 36
• Aggravated assault: 15 arrests
• Larceny: 12 arrests
• Auto theft: 8 arrests
• Burglary: 1 arrest

Find Panola County Arrest Records

Individuals can obtain records of arrested persons in Panola County using local, state, or federal resources, as explained below.

Local Resources

The Panola County Sheriff's Office is the county's primary custodian of arrest information. Individuals can walk into the sheriff's office to inspect arrest records or inquire about the process for obtaining copies. Physical requests should, however, be made during the agency's regular business hours.

Members of the public may also obtain online access to arrest records using the Jail Records tool highlighted on the sheriff's website. Here, interested parties may view the following details of currently incarcerated individuals:

• The inmate's name
• Booking date
• Charges filed
• Bond information, if applicable

The Jail Records tool is searchable by a defendant's name or booking number. The service is free of charge.

It is important for requesters to note the following:

• Persons who require certified copies of arrest records may contact the Sheriff's Records Division directly.
• Formal requests should be submitted to the sheriff's office in writing.
• Individuals can also query local law enforcement agencies within Panola County that conducted the arrest for information.

State Resources

Individuals arrested in Panola County but later transferred to state prison facilities can be located through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The TDCJ operates an Inmate Information Search tool that allows requesters to conduct searches by name, TDCJ number, or other identifiers. Information on the results page includes the inmate's current location, offense, sentence details, and projected release date. Detailed or certified inmate data may also be obtained by submitting a Public Information Act Request form to the TDCJ's Open Records Department.

Federal Resources

If an arrest leads to federal incarceration, the arrestee's information may be available through the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The BOP's Find an Inmate tool provides federal inmate records that are searchable by name or register number. The system returns data such as the inmate's facility location, custody status, and expected release date. Additional case details may be requested from the federal agency responsible for the arrest (such as the U.S. Marshals, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or Drug Enforcement Agency) through a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request.

Free Arrest Record Search in Panola County

Individuals seeking arrest records in Panola County can typically inspect these records at no cost by visiting official government agencies, such as the Panola County Sheriff's Office, during regular business hours. This aligns with the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code § 552.271), which permits free on-site record inspection. However, anyone requesting physical or electronic copies may be required to pay copying or processing fees, as authorized by Texas Government Code § 552.261.

In addition, third-party websites offer free basic arrest record lookups. These sites can be helpful for quick searches using a person's name. Still, it is important to remember that third-party databases are not affiliated with the government and may not provide complete or accurate data required for official or legal use.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. According to Texas Government Code, Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1, individuals may request an order of nondisclosure after completing deferred adjudication or for eligible offenses, or they may request an expungement from the court under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55. Without an expungement or nondisclosure order, arrest records remain publicly accessible and may appear on background checks throughout the subject's lifetime.

Expunge Panola County Arrest Records

Arrests in Panola County, Texas, may be removed from a person's criminal history through expunction, depending on the circumstances surrounding the arrest. The governing law is Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Eligibility for Expunction in Panola County

A person may be eligible for expungement of their arrest records in Panola County if:

• They were tried and acquitted for the offense.
• They received a pardon following a finding of actual innocence after conviction.
• They received a pardon regardless of the reason.
• They were apprehended for Unlawful Carrying of Weapons (UCW) before September 1, 2021.
• They were wrongfully arrested due to identity theft.
• They were apprehended but not charged, and the statute of limitations has expired.
• The charges were dismissed or quashed without a conviction.
• They completed a pretrial intervention program without subsequent conviction.
• The arrest was for certain juvenile misdemeanor offenses or minor alcohol violations.

However, arrests that resulted in convictions or involved probation violations, bail jumping, or criminal episodes are generally not eligible for expunction.

Steps to Expunge an Arrest Record in Panola County

• Confirm Eligibility

Individuals must ensure that they meet the state's conditions for expunction.

• Preparing and Filing a Petition

Eligible parties must file a Petition for Expunction with the Panola County District Court. The petition should include

• The petitioner's identifying details
• The arresting agency
• The date and nature of the arrest
• The case’s resolution (dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
• A list of all agencies that may possess the record

A blank Notice of Hearing should be included in the petition to allow the court to schedule a hearing. All relevant law enforcement and court agencies will be notified.

• Attend the Hearing

If the notified agencies raise no objections or the judge finds the petitioner eligible, the court will grant the expunction and sign an order to that effect. The Order of Expunction will be served on all relevant agencies, which will then remove the records from their public databases as instructed.

Individuals can also request sealing (an order of nondisclosure) from the court. For further guidance, individuals may refer to the Texas State Law Library's Expunctions and Nondisclosure Orders guide.

Panola County Arrest Warrants

A Panola County arrest warrant is a legal directive issued by a magistrate or judge that authorizes law enforcement officers to detain a person suspected of violating the law and bring them before the court. These warrants are issued under Chapter 15, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and are enforceable throughout the State of Texas.

An arrest warrant in Panola County is typically issued when:

• A peace officer or prosecutor presents a sworn affidavit (complaint) establishing probable cause that a crime has occurred and the named person is responsible
• A person fails to appear in court as ordered or violates other court mandates
• A person violates a term of probation or parole

Once probable cause for an arrest is established via a law enforcement complaint, the magistrate will sign and issue the arrest warrant.

Information in a Panola County Arrest Warrant

An arrest warrant issued in Panola County generally includes:

• The name of the accused or a clear description if the name is unknown
• The alleged criminal offense
• The jurisdiction (State of Texas) and the county of issuance
• The date the warrant was issued
• The signature and title of the committing magistrate
• A command for law enforcement officers to apprehend the individual and present them before the issuing or nearest court

Individuals may confirm if an arrest warrant exists in their name by contacting the Panola County Sheriff's Office or the court that issued it.

Do Panola County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Once issued, a Panola County arrest warrant remains active until executed by law enforcement or withdrawn by the issuing court. Therefore, law enforcement officers can arrest the subject of the warrant at any time or place, whether at a traffic stop, at home, or in a public space.