Martin County Police Records
Martin County police records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Stanton, Texas. This Permian Basin county sits between Midland and Big Spring on Interstate 20. If you need to look up an arrest report, check on a case, or get a copy of an incident file, the Sheriff's Office is the starting point. The Martin County Clerk in Stanton also keeps court records for criminal cases. You can search for police records through state databases or visit the courthouse in person. Both approaches work for finding Martin County law enforcement files.
Martin County Overview
Martin County Sheriff's Office
The Martin County Sheriff's Office is the sole law enforcement agency for the county. It covers patrol, criminal cases, and the county jail. The office is in Stanton and serves the whole county. Deputies cover a large area of oil field land and ranch country along I-20. The Permian Basin oil industry means the county sees transient workers and heavy truck traffic, which adds to the caseload.
Staff maintain incident reports, arrest records, and accident files. They follow state rules on retention and public access. You can call or visit during business hours. The office serves warrants and civil papers for local courts. Because Martin County is small, the Sheriff's Office is the single contact for nearly all law enforcement matters in the area.
| Office | Martin County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address |
100 W. 1st St Stanton, TX 79782 |
| Phone | (432) 756-3737 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The office handles warrant tracking and service. Call ahead if you need to check on a specific warrant or case in Martin County. The jail processes bookings from arrests made along I-20 and in the surrounding oil fields. The Sheriff's Office also provides courthouse security and manages the evidence room for all pending cases in the county.
Getting Martin County Police Records
Start by figuring out what record you need. Incident reports, arrest logs, and accident reports are all separate. The Sheriff's Office handles most files. Some records may sit with the County Clerk or District Clerk.
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) gives the public a right to request government records. No reason is needed. Agencies must respond within 10 business days. If they want to hold something back, they have to ask the Texas Attorney General for a ruling within 10 business days.
Write your request with dates, names, and case numbers. Mail it to the Sheriff's Office in Stanton or drop it off. Paper copies cost $0.10 per page. The first 50 pages may be free. Labor charges of $15.00 per hour apply for large requests. Martin County is a small office, so processing times may vary.
Note: Police records from active investigations may be held back until the case is closed or charges get filed.
Martin County Clerk Records
The Martin County Clerk holds misdemeanor criminal records and civil case files. The office is in the Martin County Courthouse in Stanton. Staff can help you look up records in person. The Clerk also handles property records and vital records.
The image below shows the TDCJ Offender Search portal, a free state resource you can use to search for inmates connected to Martin County cases.
The County Clerk phone is (432) 756-3414. The District Clerk handles felony records at (432) 756-3415. Martin County shares the 118th Judicial District with other Permian Basin counties, so some court sessions rotate between county seats. If you need certified copies, they cost more than plain ones. Call ahead to confirm what is available and the exact fee. The courthouse in Stanton also handles probate matters and civil suits that sometimes tie into police cases.
Texas Police Records Resources
State databases are important for Martin County because local online tools are limited. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division keeps the statewide criminal history system with over 15 million conviction records. Name searches cost a fee per credit. Public access covers convictions and deferred adjudication only.
The TDCJ Offender Search is free and covers current inmates and parolees statewide. The TxDOT CRIS system has police-reported crash data. I-20 runs right through Martin County, so traffic crash reports from this area are common in the CRIS database. Copies cost $6.00 to $8.00. The TCOLE website offers free officer license checks.
Victim Services in Martin County
The Texas VINE system lets victims track offender custody for free. Register for phone, email, or text alerts. It covers all 254 Texas counties. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles provides parole hearing notification too. Victims of crimes in Martin County can register for updates and submit input on release decisions.
Police Records and Texas Law
Under Government Code Chapter 552, anyone can ask a government body for records. The agency must respond promptly. If they want to withhold something, they need the Attorney General's approval. Criminal penalties exist for hiding public records.
Active investigations are a common exception. Under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.139, law enforcement must report certain officer-involved incident data. If Martin County denies your request, ask for the ruling letter. Appeal to district court within 30 days. Call the open government hotline at (512) 478-6736 with questions.
Cities in Martin County
Stanton is the county seat and the only incorporated city. None of the cities in Martin County are served by the county sheriff for most law enforcement needs. All police records go through the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Martin County. Confirm the incident location before requesting records.