Freestone County Public Records / Freestone County Arrest Records

Freestone County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Freestone County in 2026

FreestoneRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Freestone County, Texas. Members of the public may find booking details, charge information, custody status, and associated court case data through official county and state resources. Record categories available through official channels include arrest logs, booking records, criminal court dockets, and inmate status reports. The completeness and currency of any record depends on the originating agency and the disposition of the underlying case.

Official resources for searching Freestone County arrest records include the following channels:

Access Method	Resource	Availability
Online county records	Freestone County Official Record Search	24/7
Court case lookup	District Clerk's office portal	Business hours
State criminal history	Texas DPS Crime Records	Online/In-person
Inmate status	Texas Department of Criminal Justice	24/7 online

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Freestone County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining booking records and jail rosters for the county. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about current inmates or recent arrests. The Sheriff's Office processes arrests made by county deputies as well as those transferred from municipal agencies within the county. Booking information is recorded at the time of intake and includes the arrestee's name, charges, and custody status.

Freestone County Sheriff's Office
109 East Commerce Street
Fairfield, TX 75840
Phone: (903) 389-2165
Freestone County Sheriff's Office

2. Local Police Departments

The City of Fairfield Police Department and the Teague Police Department serve as the primary municipal law enforcement agencies within Freestone County. Each department maintains its own arrest logs and may issue press releases containing arrest information for significant cases. Members of the public seeking records from a specific municipal arrest should direct requests to the arresting agency.

Fairfield Police Department
109 East Commerce Street
Fairfield, TX 75840
Phone: (903) 389-2131

Teague Police Department
200 Main Street
Teague, TX 75860
Phone: (254) 739-2364

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Freestone County Clerk's office serves as the official record keeper for the county and maintains scanned real property records, public records, and probate documents. Members of the public may search for court cases linked to arrests through the Freestone County Official Record Search portal maintained by County Clerk Renee Gregory. Searching by an arrestee's name may return associated criminal case filings, charge information, and court scheduling data.

Freestone County Clerk
118 East Commerce Street
Fairfield, TX 75840
Phone: (903) 389-2635
County Clerk – Freestone County

The District Clerk's office is located on the 4th floor of the county courthouse at 118 East Commerce Street, Fairfield, TX 75840, and maintains criminal case files for district court proceedings.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a statewide criminal history repository accessible to the public through its Crime Records Service. Members of the public may submit public information requests to the Texas DPS for records held at the state level. A name-based criminal history search is available for a fee of $3.00 per request when submitted online through the DPS portal. Certified criminal history reports, which carry evidentiary weight, are available for $20.00. Freestone County arrest reporting is tracked through the DPS under the designated arresting agency ORI codes assigned to county law enforcement.

Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
Phone: (512) 424-2474
Texas DPS Public Information Requests

In-Person Access:

Members of the public seeking in-person access to arrest records may visit the Freestone County Sheriff's Office or the County Clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A valid government-issued photo identification is required. Requestors should bring the full legal name of the subject, the approximate date of arrest, and the booking number if known.

By Mail:

Written requests directed to the Freestone County Sheriff's Office should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if available, and the requestor's contact information. Payment for copies must accompany the request. Processing time varies but is subject to the ten-business-day response requirement under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.

By Phone:

The Sheriff's Office may provide limited custody status information by telephone. Requestors should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available. Detailed record information may require an in-person visit or formal written request.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Fairfield PD, Teague PD, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Freestone County

Arrest records in Freestone County are public records subject to disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552. Under current law, governmental bodies are required to make public information available upon request, and arrest records fall within the category of information that must be disclosed absent a specific statutory exception. The public interest in government transparency, community safety, and accountability of law enforcement agencies supports broad access to arrest information.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Certain categories of arrest information are restricted from public disclosure under Texas law:

Juvenile arrest records — persons under 17 years of age are subject to confidentiality protections under the Texas Family Code
Expunged arrest records — removed from public access by court order
Sealed records — subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Information pertaining to active investigations
Identities of undercover officers and confidential informants
Victim identifying information in applicable cases
Witness protection participants

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations exercising First Amendment press access rights
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Licensing agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers and housing providers must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act when using arrest records for screening purposes. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies may not report arrests that did not result in conviction after seven years. Texas does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain municipalities have adopted local ordinances. An arrest record does not constitute evidence of guilt, and the distinction between an arrest and a conviction is legally significant in all employment and housing contexts.

What's in Freestone County Arrest Records

A Freestone County arrest record contains several categories of information compiled at the time of booking and updated as the case progresses through the criminal justice system.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race/ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars and tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public release)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer name and badge number
Booking date, time, and booking number
Warrant information if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges and statute numbers violated
Charge classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations where applicable

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status
Bond amount and bond type (cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond)
Release date and conditions if released

Court Information:

Assigned court case number
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment if available

County court dockets, including those linked to criminal proceedings, are accessible through the Freestone County Court Dockets page. Justice Court criminal proceedings, including those involving juveniles and minors, are administered through the Freestone County Justice Court Criminal Proceedings portal.

What Is Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements and victim information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted under Texas law)
Bank account or financial information

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Freestone County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Freestone County depends on the requesting method and the originating agency. Under Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies are authorized to charge for the actual cost of producing copies of public records.

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (County Clerk)	$1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Name-based criminal history (DPS)	$3.00 per request (online)
Certified criminal history (DPS)	$20.00 per request
Inspection of records (in-person)	No charge

Members of the public may inspect records in person at no cost. Fees apply when copies are requested. The Freestone County Clerk's office accepts cash, check, and money order for copy fees. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service accepts payment by credit card for online requests.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in the public interest, subject to the discretion of the governmental body under applicable Texas law. Requests submitted by members of the news media for records related to matters of public concern may qualify for reduced fees.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Freestone County

Under Texas law, the legal mechanisms for removing arrest records from public access are expunction and nondisclosure. These are distinct legal remedies with different eligibility requirements and effects.

Expunction results in the physical destruction or return of all records and files related to an arrest. Following a successful expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, the petitioner is legally entitled to deny that the arrest occurred. Expunction is available in circumstances including:

Arrest without charges being filed
Charges that were dismissed
Acquittal at trial
Conviction that was subsequently pardoned
Certain juvenile offenses

The Freestone County official website provides an Expunction of Arrest Records petition form for individuals seeking to initiate this process. The petition must be filed with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred.

Nondisclosure (also called an order of nondisclosure) seals records from public view but does not destroy them. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records. Nondisclosure is available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for eligible offenses.

The steps to pursue expunction in Freestone County are as follows:

Obtain and complete the expunction petition form from the Freestone County District Clerk
File the petition in the 87th District Court of Freestone County
Pay the applicable filing fee
Serve all relevant agencies named in the petition
Attend the scheduled hearing
If granted, the court issues an order directing all named agencies to destroy or return records

Freestone County District Clerk
118 East Commerce Street, 4th Floor
Fairfield, TX 75840
Phone: (903) 389-2461
District Clerk – Freestone County

Court forms related to criminal proceedings, including those applicable to Justice Court matters, are available through the Freestone County Justice Court Forms page.

Freestone County Justice Court, Precinct 2
800 Main Street
Teague, TX 75860
Phone: (254) 739-2518
Court Forms – Freestone County

What Happens After Arrest in Freestone County?

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Freestone County Jail, which is operated by the Freestone County Sheriff's Office at 109 East Commerce Street, Fairfield, TX 75840. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the jail, the booking process is initiated. This process includes recording personal information, photographing the arrestee (mugshot), collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history and outstanding warrants check, inventorying personal property, performing a medical screening, and assigning housing classification. The booking process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Texas law, an arrested person must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, and in no event later than 48 hours after arrest. At the initial appearance, the magistrate informs the arrestee of the charges, advises the individual of the right to counsel, and sets bond. Hearings may be conducted via video conference.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash and is refunded upon case conclusion, minus applicable fees.
Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full amount; the arrestee pays a non-refundable premium, typically 10% of the bond amount.
Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: The individual is released on a written promise to appear, based on community ties, employment history, criminal history, and the nature of the charges.
No Bond: The individual is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, or immigration holds.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The individual receives a court date, written conditions of release, and has personal property returned. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Individuals who cannot afford private counsel may apply for appointment of a public defender. The right to appointed counsel attaches at the initial appearance. Private attorneys may visit clients at the Freestone County Jail during designated visitation hours.

Charging Decision:

The Freestone County Attorney's Office reviews misdemeanor arrests, while the District Attorney's Office reviews felony arrests. The prosecutor may file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. Felony cases may be presented to a grand jury for indictment.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea. The majority of defendants enter an initial plea of not guilty. Subsequent court dates are set for pretrial proceedings.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, and pretrial conferences. The prosecution and defense exchange evidence, and either party may file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges. Cases may be resolved through dismissal, diversion programs, plea agreement, or trial. Upon conviction, the judge imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, or a combination thereof.

Inmate location, offense information, and projected release dates for individuals in state custody may be obtained through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Information portal.

Important Contacts:

Freestone County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
109 East Commerce Street
Fairfield, TX 75840
Phone: (903) 389-2165
Freestone County Sheriff's Office

Freestone County District Clerk
118 East Commerce Street, 4th Floor
Fairfield, TX 75840
Phone: (903) 389-2461
District Clerk – Freestone County

Freestone County Attorney's Office
118 East Commerce Street
Fairfield, TX 75840
Phone: (903) 389-3218

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately and do not discuss the case with anyone other than counsel
Contact family or friends for assistance with bail
Attend all scheduled court dates
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Freestone County?

Retention of arrest records in Freestone County is governed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission local records retention schedules and applicable state law. Historical Freestone County records, including those available on microfilm, are catalogued through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, with some digitized records accessible online and others available through Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Record Category	Retention Period
Felony conviction records	Permanent
Misdemeanor conviction records	Permanent
Dismissed charges (no expunction)	Minimum 10 years (local); permanent at state repository
Acquittals	Minimum 10 years (local); may remain at state level
Charges not filed / no-information	Minimum 2 years (booking records)
Booking photographs	Minimum 2 years; longer if case is active

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office: Booking records and arrest reports are retained according to the Texas Local Government Records Act retention schedule. Investigative files are retained for a minimum of two years following case closure for non-conviction matters and permanently for felony convictions.

Clerk of Court: Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor case files are retained for a minimum of ten years. Electronic court records are maintained on a permanent basis.

State Repository: The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains criminal history records for all arrests reported by Texas law enforcement agencies. Records at the state level are retained according to DPS policy and are not automatically purged upon dismissal or acquittal unless an expunction order is received.

FBI Database: Arrest records submitted to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Interstate Identification Index (III) are retained at the federal level on a permanent basis and are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

A conviction results in permanent retention across all databases. A dismissal may remain in local and state databases unless the subject obtains an expunction order. An expunction directs all named agencies to destroy or return records; however, the FBI database may retain a notation, and third-party commercial databases are not bound by state expunction orders and may not update records in a timely manner.

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent arrest records are accessible online through the Freestone County Official Record Search portal. Older records that have not been digitized may require an in-person request at the Sheriff's Office or the County Clerk's office. Records predating digitization may exist only in paper or microfilm format and may be subject to retrieval fees and extended processing times.

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumer reporting agencies may not report arrests that did not result in conviction after seven years from the date of arrest. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Texas law does not currently impose a shorter reporting period for convictions. Expunged records are not reportable under Texas law, though individuals should be aware that third-party databases may not reflect expunction promptly.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Freestone County Sheriff's Records Division at (903) 389-2165 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A formal public records request submitted under the Texas Public Information Act may be required to obtain written confirmation of record status.