El Paso Criminal History Records
El Paso criminal history records come from the El Paso Police Department, El Paso County courts, and the Texas DPS statewide criminal history system. This guide explains how to find arrest records, court case files, and other criminal history information for El Paso, including how the border location affects certain federal and state record systems.
El Paso Overview
El Paso County Court Records
El Paso is the county seat of El Paso County. Criminal cases from the city go through the El Paso County courts. The county operates district courts for felony cases and county courts at law for Class A and B misdemeanors. All court records are public unless specifically sealed by court order.
The El Paso County District Clerk maintains felony criminal records for the city and county. Online case search access is available through the District Clerk's portal, where you can search by name or case number. Felony records include indictments, judgments, and docket entries. The District Clerk's office is at the El Paso County Courthouse, 500 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901.
The El Paso County Clerk holds misdemeanor criminal records. Class A and B offenses, including DWI, assault, and theft charges, are filed in the county courts at law. Records include the complaint, plea, and final disposition. Certified copies are available for a per-page fee.
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| El Paso County District Clerk | 500 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901 | (915) 546-2021 |
| El Paso County Clerk | 500 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901 | (915) 546-2071 |
| El Paso County Sheriff | 3850 Justice Dr, El Paso, TX 79938 | (915) 538-2000 |
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office operates the county detention facility and maintains arrest and booking records. The Sheriff's online inmate search shows current detainees with charge information. El Paso County Sheriff arrests are reported to the Texas DPS CCH system.
How to Search El Paso Criminal Records
The statewide re:SearchTX system is a free starting point for El Paso criminal records. It covers cases from El Paso County district and county courts and allows name-based or case number searches. Case status, offense type, and basic docket information are visible. Full documents require a separate paid copy request.
El Paso Police Department records are available under the Texas Public Information Act. Submit a public information request through the El Paso Police Department website. Offense reports and arrest reports are generally available unless the record is tied to an active investigation or involves a protected category. The city processes requests through its Public Information Act coordinator.
The El Paso Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor cases including traffic violations and city ordinance offenses. Their online system allows you to look up citations, check case status, and verify warrant information.
For a complete statewide background check, use the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. The DPS CCH covers all Texas criminal records, not just El Paso County. Name-based searches are available to the public for a fee. Fingerprint-based searches provide more precise results. El Paso Police coordinate with both DPS and federal agencies because of the border location, so some records may exist in federal systems as well.
Types of Criminal Records in El Paso
El Paso criminal records are divided by offense type and held by different agencies. The key distinction is whether a crime was handled at the city, county, or federal level.
Felony records are at the El Paso County District Clerk. This includes all state felony charges from aggravated offenses to drug cases and violent crimes. Felony records include the indictment, all filings, the judgment, and sentencing information. Search the District Clerk portal or re:SearchTX for felony cases.
Class A and B misdemeanor records are with the El Paso County Clerk. These cover offenses in the county courts at law. Assault, DWI, and theft under $2,500 are common examples. The records include the complaint, proceedings, and final judgment.
Federal criminal records are a factor in El Paso. Because of border law enforcement activity, some criminal cases in El Paso are prosecuted in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas rather than state courts. Federal court records are maintained by the U.S. District Court Clerk and are accessible through the PACER system, not through DPS or Texas county clerks.
Arrest records come from El Paso PD and the County Sheriff. All state-level arrests flow into the Texas DPS CCH. Federal arrests by Border Patrol or DEA are reported to federal systems and may not appear in the Texas DPS database.
The City of El Paso official website provides access to police department records requests, municipal court online services, and city resources for accessing criminal history information.
El Paso criminal records are generated by EPPD and the El Paso County Sheriff, with all state-level arrests and convictions reported to the Texas DPS statewide criminal history database.
Texas DPS CCH System
The Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History system is the main state repository for criminal records. It is governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 411. El Paso Police and the El Paso County Sheriff report all arrests and convictions to DPS, where they are added to the CCH.
Public users can request a name-based search through the DPS online portal for a fee. You provide the person's name and date of birth. DPS returns all matching records statewide. This is broader than a county-level search and is the best option if someone may have criminal history in multiple Texas counties.
El Paso's proximity to the border means law enforcement there coordinates with CBP, FBI, and DEA. Some arrests and convictions that originate in El Paso may be in federal rather than state systems. The DPS CCH only covers state-level offenses. Federal records require a separate search through federal court systems or national databases.
TDCJ Offender Search for El Paso Cases
Felony convictions in El Paso County that result in state prison sentences mean the person enters the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. The TDCJ offender search is free and public. Search by name or TDCJ number for current and former state inmates. Results include the sentence, current unit, and projected release dates.
TDCJ does not hold the full case file. For the complete record from an El Paso County felony conviction, contact the El Paso County District Clerk. People sentenced to county jail time rather than state prison are housed in the El Paso County Detention Facility under the Sheriff's Office.
The El Paso County official website links to the District Clerk case search portal, County Clerk records, and Sheriff's inmate lookup, giving you the main access points for El Paso County criminal records.
El Paso County courts and the Sheriff handle all criminal cases originating in the city of El Paso, with records available through county online tools and the statewide re:SearchTX system.
El Paso County Criminal History Records
El Paso is in El Paso County. All felony and misdemeanor criminal filings for the city of El Paso go through the El Paso County court system, including the District Clerk for felonies and the County Clerk for misdemeanors.