Moore County Arrest Records
Moore County recent bookings are processed through the Sheriff's Office in Dumas, the county seat. Located in the northern Texas Panhandle, Moore County has a population of about 21,000 people. Dumas is the main city and economic hub. The county's economy centers on agriculture, oil and gas, and meatpacking plants. U.S. Highway 287 and U.S. Highway 87 run through the area. The Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and handles bookings from all local agencies. These records are public under Texas law and can be searched or requested as described below.
Moore County Overview
Moore County Sheriff's Office Recent Bookings
The Moore County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Dumas. All arrests in the county come through this facility. Deputies, Dumas PD, constables, and DPS troopers bring people here for booking. During intake, staff record the person's name, date of birth, charges, arresting agency, and bond amount.
Under the Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 14, Texas officers can arrest without a warrant for offenses committed in their presence. Article 14.03 covers warrantless arrests for family violence, protective order violations, and certain assaults. Article 15.17 mandates that the arrested person see a magistrate within 48 hours for a bail hearing.
Dumas PD handles most city arrests. The sheriff's office covers the rest of the county, including the rural areas and highway corridors. Moore County's workforce draws people from surrounding counties and even other states, which can affect the booking population. The jail processes a steady volume for a county of this size.
Call the Sheriff's Office in Dumas to check on someone. They can confirm if the person is in custody, what they are charged with, and what the bond is. Phone calls are the quickest way to get current information.
| Office | Moore County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Dumas, TX |
| District Court | 69th Judicial District Court |
Recent Bookings and Court Records in Moore County
After a booking, if the prosecutor files charges, the case moves to court. Moore County is part of the 69th Judicial District, which also serves Dallam, Hartley, and Sherman counties. The district judge travels between courthouses. Felonies go to district court. Misdemeanors stay with the County Court.
Search re:SearchTX for Moore County cases. Enter a name and you get charges, court dates, and case status. The District Clerk in Dumas has physical felony files. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor records. E-filing is required statewide, so newer cases show up in the system.
The Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552, guarantees public access to records. Section 552.021 is the core provision. You do not need a reason. Booking data is public. Section 552.108 is a narrow exception for active investigations, but it rarely applies to basic booking information.
Moore County appeals go to the Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo. The Texas Judicial Branch website has published appellate opinions.
Texas Local Government Code and County Operations
The Local Government Code gives Texas counties the legal framework for operating jails, managing budgets, and entering into agreements with other jurisdictions.
Below is the Local Government Code provision that applies to Moore County's jail operations and interlocal agreements.
Under this code, counties can contract with other counties to house inmates, share law enforcement resources, and coordinate on public safety matters. Moore County uses these provisions as needed. The code also covers county budgets for law enforcement and jail operations, which directly affect how bookings are handled.
How to Find Moore County Recent Bookings
Phone the jail first. The Moore County Sheriff's Office can give you current inmate information over the phone. They will confirm custody status, charges, and bond.
For court records tied to past bookings, use re:SearchTX and filter by Moore County. The Dumas courthouse is another option. Walk in during business hours and speak to the clerk. Written requests under the Public Information Act are accepted too.
- Call the Moore County Sheriff's Office for current jail status
- Search re:SearchTX for court case records
- Visit the courthouse in Dumas for case files
- Use TDCJ inmate search for state prison inmates
- File a written request under Government Code Chapter 552
If the person is in state prison, use the TDCJ inmate search. People convicted in Moore County who get prison time transfer to TDCJ custody. The county jail only holds local arrests, pretrial detainees, and those serving county sentences.
Felony Sentencing That Applies to Moore County
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 sets the punishment ranges. First degree: 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Second degree: 2 to 20 years. Third degree: 2 to 10 years. State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years.
Misdemeanor sentences are lighter. Class A: up to one year and $4,000 fine. Class B: up to 180 days and $2,000. Class C: fine-only up to $500. The charge level on the booking record tells you the possible sentence range.
Indigent defendants get court-appointed counsel. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission monitors this process in Moore County and every other county. Under Article 1.051 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, defendants fill out a financial form. The judge decides eligibility. TIDC tracks how quickly attorneys are appointed and what it costs per case.
Arrest Trends in Moore County
Moore County's booking patterns reflect its Panhandle location and workforce. DWI is a common charge. First offense DWI under Penal Code Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. Drug possession under Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 is also frequent. Methamphetamine is the most common substance in Panhandle drug cases.
The meatpacking industry in Dumas draws a large workforce. This population creates a higher volume of calls for service than you might expect from a county of 21,000. Assault, family violence, theft, and warrant arrests round out the typical charges in the booking log. Highway 287 brings through-traffic that leads to some traffic-stop arrests as well.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspects the Moore County jail annually. TCJS checks capacity, conditions, medical care, and compliance with state rules. Inspection reports are public. Moore County has managed its jail population actively, given the arrest volume relative to its size.
Cities in Moore County
Dumas is the county seat and the only city of significant size, with about 15,000 residents. Sunray and Cactus are smaller communities in the county. No city in Moore County has a population over 100,000. All local law enforcement agencies bring arrests to the county jail in Dumas.
Nearby Counties
Moore County is in the northern Panhandle. Each neighboring county runs its own jail. Confirm the arrest location before starting a search.