Find Panola County Recent Arrests
Recent arrests in Panola County are processed at the detention center in Carthage, run by the Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Otis Griffin. Panola County is in East Texas, and Carthage serves as the county seat. The population is about 23,000 people. The jail holds an average of 120 inmates daily, including county, state, and federal detainees. Arrest records are public under state law. You can look up current inmates online, call the jail at (903) 693-0359, or visit the Sheriff's Office at 314 West Wellington Street in Carthage for booking information.
Panola County Overview
Panola County Arrest Records
The Panola County Sheriff's Office keeps all arrest records for the county. Their office is at 314 West Wellington Street in Carthage, and the detention center sits just down the road at 319 W. Wellington. Sheriff Otis Griffin runs the department. The jail handles bookings from all law enforcement agencies in the county, so arrests by city police, state troopers, and deputies all get processed at the same place.
The jail roster shows current inmates with booking information. Each entry includes the booked and released dates, charges, bond amount, and bond type. You can search by name or booking number. The Jail Administrator oversees an average daily population of about 120 inmates. That number includes county detainees, people held for the state, and some federal inmates. The detention center is busy for a county this size.
| Office | Panola County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff's Address | 314 West Wellington Street, Carthage, TX 75633 |
| Detention Center | 319 W. Wellington, Carthage, TX 75633 |
| Jail Phone | (903) 693-0359 |
| Sheriff | Otis Griffin |
| District Clerk | 108 S. Sycamore St., Room 301, Carthage, TX 75633 |
Search Panola County Arrests Online
Panola County has an online inmate search on the Sheriff's Office website. The "Current Inmates" section shows recent bookings with names, charges, bond information, and inmate status. This is the quickest way to check if someone was recently arrested without making a phone call. The system updates regularly as new bookings come in and people are released.
Third-party sites also list Panola County arrest data. The screenshot below shows a Panola County inmate search page from TexasInmateSearch.org, which pulls from public records.
While third-party sites can be a useful starting point, always check official county sources for the most accurate and current data. The Sheriff's Office website is the best place for confirmed booking information.
For court case records tied to arrests, the District Clerk at 108 S. Sycamore St., Room 301 in Carthage handles those files. Felony cases go through the district court while misdemeanors are handled at the county court level. Both share records through the clerk's office.
Public Records Access in Panola County
Arrest records in Panola County are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Section 552.108(c) says basic arrest data must be released when anyone asks. The law covers the arrested person's name, age, address, race, sex, occupation, the charges, arrest date and time, and bond details. You do not need to explain your reason for wanting the records.
The Sheriff's Office follows state rules on records access. Phone and in-person requests get handled during business hours. Written requests can be mailed to 314 West Wellington Street, Carthage, TX 75633. Under the Act, the county has 10 business days to respond. Simple requests usually get answered faster. If you run into trouble getting records, the Texas Attorney General's office oversees public information disputes.
Texas Arrest Lookup Tools
State databases cover Panola County records alongside every other county in Texas. The DPS Criminal History Search checks conviction records statewide for $3.00 per search. The TDCJ Inmate Search covers people sent to state prison. Under Government Code Section 411.135, the DPS handles how conviction records feed into the Computerized Criminal History System.
The DPS Crime Records Division compiles data from local agencies like the Panola County Sheriff's Office. The Texas Courts Case Search provides appellate records. Parole and probation services in Panola County run through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The Community Supervision and Corrections Department handles local supervision for people on probation.
Panola County Local Resources
Bail bonds services in Panola County include Owens Bail Bonds at (903) 693-9494 and Fast Action Bail Bonds at (903) 694-2200. These can help if someone needs to post bond after an arrest. The amount depends on the charges and the bond schedule set by local courts.
Carthage is the main hub for county services. The nearest larger city is Longview, about 50 miles to the west. If you are making the trip to Carthage for records, the Sheriff's Office and District Clerk are both in the downtown area near the courthouse. Call ahead to make sure they have what you need before driving out.
How to Get Panola County Records
There are several ways to get arrest records from Panola County. Each method suits different situations depending on how fast you need the data and how much detail you want.
- Check the online jail roster for current inmates on the Sheriff's website
- Call the jail at (903) 693-0359 for basic booking details
- Mail a written request to 314 West Wellington Street, Carthage, TX 75633
- Visit the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours
- Use the DPS system for statewide criminal history searches
The online roster is the fastest method for checking current inmates. Phone calls work well for recent arrests when you need a quick answer. Written requests are better for older records or when you want a formal response on paper. In-person visits let you talk to the staff face to face. The District Clerk at 108 S. Sycamore St., Room 301, handles court file copies. Certified copies carry a per-page fee that you pay at the clerk's window.