Irion County Arrest Records
Irion County arrest records are public documents maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Mertzon, Texas. These records cover bookings, charges, and inmate information for anyone taken into custody in the county. You can search current jail rosters, contact the Sheriff's Office directly, or use statewide tools like the Texas Department of Criminal Justice database. This page explains your options for finding arrest and jail records in Irion County and points you to the right offices to make a request.
Irion County Sheriff's Office Records
The Irion County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It is located at 114 W Sherwood Avenue, Mertzon, TX 76941. The phone number is (325) 835-2551. The Sheriff's Office handles all arrests made in unincorporated areas of the county, maintains the county jail, and keeps booking records for anyone processed through the facility. If you need to find out whether someone is currently in custody, calling the jail directly is the fastest way to get an answer.
Arrest records held by the Sheriff's Office include booking date, charges, bond information, and the arresting agency. Most of this information is public under the Texas Public Information Act, which gives residents the right to request government records. You can make a request in person or by mail. Bring a written request that includes the subject's full name and approximate date of arrest if you know it. Staff will tell you what is available and whether any records are exempt from release.
Irion County is a small, rural county. Online tools are limited compared to larger urban counties. For most searches, you will need to contact the Sheriff's Office directly. The jail handles pre-trial detainees and those serving short misdemeanor sentences within the county.
Jail Inmate Search in Irion County
Finding a current inmate in Irion County starts with a call to the Sheriff's Office at (325) 835-2551. Staff can tell you whether someone is booked into the county facility and provide basic information about their custody status. This is the most direct route for rural counties that do not maintain a live online roster.
For inmates who have moved into a state prison following sentencing, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains a free online search tool. You can search the TDCJ Offender Search by last name, TDCJ number, or state ID number. Results show the offender's current facility, charges, and projected release date. This covers inmates housed anywhere in the Texas prison system.
VINELink is another free option. It lets crime victims and the public check custody status and sign up for automatic notifications if an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. You can reach VINELink online or by calling 877-894-8463 toll-free. Just have the person's name or jail ID ready.
Texas DPS Criminal History Records
The Texas Department of Public Safety keeps statewide criminal history records. These go beyond a single county booking and include conviction history from all Texas jurisdictions. A name-based search through the DPS Criminal History portal costs $3 per search. You create an account and pay online. Results typically come back quickly and show arrests, charges, and dispositions from across the state.
For more thorough background checks, fingerprint-based searches are also available through IdentoGo centers. These are more accurate because they match a specific individual rather than relying on name alone. Fingerprint searches are used when accuracy matters most, such as for employment or licensing purposes. Note: this page does not cover employment or screening uses. The DPS database is simply a useful tool for finding statewide arrest history.
Court Records and the District Clerk
After an arrest, criminal cases move into the court system. The Irion County District Clerk and County Clerk maintain records of criminal court proceedings, including indictments, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. These are separate from jail records but give a fuller picture of the legal outcome for any arrest. Court records are generally public and can be accessed by contacting the Irion County Courthouse in Mertzon.
For a broader search of court cases across Texas, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards provides oversight of all county jails and maintains data on jail populations statewide. You can reach their office at tcjs.state.tx.us. While this does not give you direct access to individual records, it provides context on how the county jail system is regulated and what standards apply.
If a case involved a federal charge, the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov covers federal inmates held since 1982. Search by name or BOP register number to see current location or discharge date.
Requesting Records Under the Texas Public Information Act
Texas law gives the public the right to request government records, including most arrest and jail records. Under Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, also called the Texas Public Information Act, government agencies must respond to written records requests promptly. Most agencies have 10 business days to provide responsive records or explain any legal exemptions that apply.
To request Irion County arrest records, send a written request to the Sheriff's Office at 114 W Sherwood Avenue, Mertzon, TX 76941. Your request should be clear and specific. Include the full name of the subject, any known dates, and the type of records you want. If the records exist and are not exempt, they will be provided. Fees may apply for copies.
Some records are exempt. These include juvenile records, records from ongoing investigations, information that could endanger law enforcement, and records sealed by court order. If an agency claims an exemption, it must tell you which legal provision applies. You can challenge a denial through the Texas Attorney General's Open Records Division.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Texas
Texas law allows some arrest records to be expunged, meaning they are erased from public view. Under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, you may be eligible for expungement if your charges were dismissed, you were acquitted at trial, the statute of limitations expired before charges were filed, or you received a pardon. An order of nondisclosure is a separate option that seals records from public access without fully erasing them.
To pursue expungement, you file a petition with the District Court in the county where the arrest occurred. The petition must name all agencies that hold records related to the arrest. The court will set a hearing, and if the order is granted, all named agencies must destroy or return the records. An attorney can help you determine whether you qualify and guide you through the process.
State Resources for Arrest Record Searches
Several statewide tools are useful no matter which Texas county you are searching in. The TDCJ inmate search covers all current state prison inmates. The DPS criminal history portal gives conviction data statewide. VINELink lets you track custody status with notification alerts. And the Texas Commission on Jail Standards at tcjs.state.tx.us provides oversight information for all Texas county jails, including Irion County.
Note: For inmates transferred to other jurisdictions or held on federal charges, check the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator in addition to state resources.
Cities in Irion County
Mertzon is the county seat and largest community in Irion County. It is a small city that serves as the hub for county services, including the courthouse and Sheriff's Office. No cities in Irion County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. For arrest records in Mertzon, contact the Irion County Sheriff's Office, as the county agency handles law enforcement for the entire county.
Nearby Counties
Irion County is bordered by several West Texas counties, each with their own Sheriff's Office and jail records. Tom Green County to the east is the largest nearby county and includes San Angelo. Crockett County lies to the south. Schleicher County borders to the southeast. Menard County is to the northeast. Sterling County lies to the north. Each county maintains its own records and can be contacted directly for arrest information.