Reviewed and updated October 9, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. The arrest and crime counts are the ones each agency reported to the FBI, as the FBI held them on October 8, 2026. Every office link was opened and checked against the office's own site between September 23, 2026 and October 1, 2026.
Carthage, Texas, in Panola County, has about 6,700 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Carthage depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Texas Public Information Act requires of it.
This guide covers which agency, the city's records page, the sheriff's reports, what the law requires and common questions.
Related guides: Carthage public records, Panola County police reports, Carthage arrest records, Carthage warrants, Carthage inmate search, Carthage criminal records, Texas arrest records and Texas inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Carthage
A crime, incident or collision report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, and that agency releases it, not the court, the jail or the prosecutor.
Inside Carthage that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Carthage Police Department); outside it, the Panola County Sheriff's Office.
The FBI's list also carries Panola College (campus police) and Panola County Constable at Precinct 2 & 3 and Panola County Constable at Precinct 1 & 4 (other agency), each with a records office of its own.
The Tatum Police Department is listed by the FBI across two counties including Panola County, so its arrests are not broken out for Panola County here.
Reports from the Carthage Police
For Carthage, SearchSystems opened and checked the Carthage police records page at carthagetexas.us/departments/police_dept/records.php (page title: Carthage, TX), phone 903.693.3866, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Carthage had 26 violent and 88 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 126 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Panola County Sheriff's Office
The Panola County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 23 violent and 111 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 174 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit, reached through the office at 903-693-0333. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its jail page, at co.panola.tx.us/1204/Sheriffs-Office (page title: Sheriff's Office | Panola County, TX), phone 903-693-0333, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 30, 2026.
What the Texas Public Information Act Requires
The Texas Public Information Act sets the rules: an answer within 10 business days, at a charge of the copy rates set by the Attorney General, plus labor for large requests, from the agency that holds the report.
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the District Attorney, 903-693-0310, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Carthage?
From the agency that took it. The Carthage police records page is at carthagetexas.us, phone 903.693.3866; the sheriff's reports come from the Panola County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Carthage have to answer?
Under the Texas Public Information Act, within 10 business days. It may charge the copy rates set by the Attorney General, plus labor for large requests.
How do I get a report from the Panola County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit, reached through the office at 903-693-0333. Under the Texas Public Information Act the answer is due within 10 business days.
Is this the official Carthage website?
No. SearchSystems.net is an independent public records guide, online since 1997. It links to the official city, county, court and state offices described above and does not hold records, charge for them or take requests.