Find Upshur County Recent Arrests
Recent arrests in Upshur County are tracked by the Sheriff's Office in Gilmer. The county sits in Northeast Texas with about 41,000 residents and covers 588 square miles of rolling, forested land. Gilmer is the county seat. The Sheriff's Office handles all jail operations and keeps booking records for the county. Arrest data is public under the Texas Public Information Act. You can look up records by phone, written request, or in person at the sheriff's office.
Upshur County Overview
Upshur County Arrest Records
The Upshur County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement body in the county. Their office in Gilmer runs the county jail and processes all bookings. Deputies patrol the county while the Gilmer Police Department covers the city. DPS troopers work the highways in the area. Arrests from all of these agencies get booked into the county jail. Staff log each arrest with the person's name, charges, bond amount, and booking time.
Upshur County is named after Abel P. Upshur and was created in 1846. Today it is a mix of small towns and rural areas. Gilmer has about 5,000 residents. Big Sandy, Diana, and Ore City are other communities in the county. The area has a history tied to oil and timber. Most arrests involve drug offenses, warrants, theft, assault, and DWI charges. The crime rate stays moderate for a county of this size.
| Office | Upshur County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Location | Gilmer, TX 75644 |
| Phone | (903) 843-2541 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (jail is 24/7) |
Upshur County is part of the 115th Judicial District. Felony cases go through the district court. The county court in Gilmer handles misdemeanors. Both courts sit at the Upshur County Courthouse. Longview in Gregg County is about 25 miles south and is the closest larger city for legal services and attorneys.
How to Look Up Arrest Records
Upshur County does not have an online inmate search portal at this time. To find out about a recent arrest, call the Sheriff's Office at (903) 843-2541. Staff can share booking data, charges, and bond information during business hours. Phone calls are the quickest route for checking on someone who may have been picked up in the county.
You can also submit a written request. Mail a letter to the Upshur County Sheriff's Office in Gilmer. Include the person's full name and any other identifying details. The county has 10 business days to respond per state law. There is no fee for basic arrest info shared by phone. Paper copies of reports may cost a small per-page amount.
The Texas DPS criminal history search is a statewide tool that covers Upshur County records. The image below shows the DPS search portal.
That DPS tool costs $3.00 per name and covers conviction records from all 254 counties. An account is required to use it.
Public Records Access in Upshur County
Texas law makes arrest records public. The Texas Public Information Act under Government Code Chapter 552 requires agencies to share basic arrest data. Section 552.108(c) lists the specifics: name, age, address, race, sex, occupation, charges, bond amount, and the date and place of arrest. Anyone can ask for this info without giving a reason.
Some records are exempt. Juvenile files stay sealed. Medical data from the jail is private. Sealed or expunged cases are off limits. But for standard adult arrests in Upshur County, the booking information is public. The Texas Attorney General handles disputes when an agency wrongly denies a valid request.
Texas Arrest Search Resources
Multiple state databases help you search beyond what Upshur County offers directly. The DPS Criminal History Search covers conviction records statewide. Under Government Code Section 411.135, DPS manages the Computerized Criminal History system. Each search costs $3.00 and requires an account.
The TDCJ Inmate Search is free and shows people in state prison. Anyone from Upshur County sentenced to TDCJ time will appear in the database. The Texas Courts Case Search covers appellate court records. The DPS Crime Records Division compiles crime data from agencies across the state.
Longview is about 25 miles south. Tyler is roughly 50 miles to the southwest. Both cities have legal aid groups and defense attorneys who serve the Upshur County area. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement tracks certified agencies and officers in this part of Northeast Texas.
Upshur County Booking Process
After an arrest in Upshur County, the person is taken to the county jail in Gilmer. The intake process captures personal details, a mugshot, and fingerprints. A medical screening checks for health issues. The arresting officer's report gets filed with the booking record. All of this becomes part of the public arrest file that anyone can request.
A magistrate sets bail after booking. Options include cash bonds, surety bonds through a bail agent, and personal recognizance bonds for lesser charges. Minor misdemeanors may mean a quick release once bond is posted. Felony charges carry higher bail and can mean a longer stay in the county jail. The 115th Judicial District Court handles felony cases while the county court covers misdemeanors.
Upshur County has dealt with a rise in drug-related arrests over the past several years, particularly tied to methamphetamine. The East Texas Drug Task Force works with local agencies to address larger trafficking operations that may cross county lines. Theft and burglary are also common charges in the area. Bail bond agents in Gilmer and nearby Longview serve the county jail for people who need a surety bond to get out while awaiting trial.