Erath County Arrest Records

Recent arrests in Erath County are processed by Sheriff Matt Coates and his office in Stephenville. The county has about 42,000 people and covers 1,086 square miles in north-central Texas. Stephenville is the county seat and the home of Tarleton State University, which adds to the local population. The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and handles all bookings. Arrest records here are public under the Texas Public Information Act. Erath County falls in the 266th Judicial District. You can search for arrest data through the Sheriff's Office or use statewide tools.

Erath County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Matt Coates leads the Erath County Sheriff's Office. The office handles law enforcement duties across the county and runs the jail in Stephenville. All county-level arrests result in bookings at this facility. The Stephenville Police Department handles city arrests, but those bookings also go through the county jail.

The jail operates 24 hours a day. Booking operations run around the clock. You can call the Sheriff's Office during business hours for records requests, or contact the jail line anytime to check on someone's custody status. The staff can share charge details, bond amounts, and court dates for current inmates. Walk-in visits are welcome at the main office on Glen Rose Road.

Search Erath County Recent Arrests

The Erath County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate roster. You can look up current inmates by name or booking number. The roster shows who is currently in custody along with their charges and bond information. This is the quickest way to check on a recent Erath County arrest from home.

For broader searches, the Texas DPS criminal history portal covers arrest records from all 254 counties. Each name search costs $3. The system checks the Computerized Criminal History database, which receives data from Erath County within seven days of each booking. You need to create an account and buy search credits before you can use it.

Court records are available free through the Texas judicial case search. This covers criminal cases filed in the 266th Judicial District, which serves Erath County. Search by defendant name to see charges, case status, and hearing dates. The TDCJ inmate search is useful if someone has been sent to state prison after conviction.

Erath County also accepts records requests in person and by mail. Bring your request to the Sheriff's Office at 1043 Glen Rose Road in Stephenville. Copy fees may apply for printed documents. Certified copies cost a bit more than regular copies.

Texas Statewide Records Search

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division manages a statewide database of criminal history records from every county, including Erath County. Below is a look at the DPS crime records portal that you can use to search for arrest data.

The DPS search tool requires a $3 credit for each name you look up. Results show arrest dates, charges, and dispositions. Public users can only see conviction records through this portal. Law enforcement and other authorized parties have access to the full criminal history. For the most current Erath County jail information, the Sheriff's Office website and phone line are your best resources.

Arrest Records and Texas Law

Erath County arrest records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. This law presumes all government information is available to the public. You can request arrest data from the Sheriff's Office without giving a reason.

Section 552.108 allows some investigative files to be withheld. But Section 552.108(c) makes clear that basic arrest information is always public. The arrested person's name, age, address, date and time of arrest, charges, booking details, and the arresting officer's name must be released. The Erath County Sheriff's Office follows these rules like every other Texas agency.

Under Government Code Chapter 411, the DPS runs the centralized criminal history system. Section 411.135 controls who can access the data. Public searches cost $3 and return conviction data. Full criminal history records are restricted. If an agency denies a valid request, the Texas Attorney General can intervene and require the records to be released.

Erath County Booking Data

A booking record from Erath County includes the person's full name, date of birth, and physical description. The charge or charges are listed along with the arresting agency and officer's name. Date, time, and location of the arrest are documented. A booking photo is taken at intake.

Bond information is part of the file. The magistrate sets the bond amount, and the record shows whether the person posted bail or stayed in custody. Court dates and case numbers get added as the case moves forward. The DPS Crime Records Division receives this data within seven days and adds it to the statewide system.

Erath County Legal Resources

If you or someone you know has been arrested in Erath County, there are resources that can help. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 that can connect you with local attorneys. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org offers self-help guides for people who cannot afford a lawyer. The 266th Judicial District court in Stephenville handles criminal cases from Erath County.

For formal records requests, the Erath County District Clerk handles court documents separately from the Sheriff's Office. The District Clerk's office is in the courthouse in Stephenville. They keep case files, court orders, and judgment records. If you need court records rather than booking data, that is where you go. The Sheriff's Office handles arrest and jail records only.

Nearby Counties

Erath County borders these counties in north-central Texas. Each has its own jail and booking system. Make sure you check the right county for the arrest you are looking for.