Find Criminal Records in Temple

If you need criminal history records from Temple, the Bell County courts handle all criminal filings for the area. The District Clerk keeps felony case records. The County Clerk has misdemeanor files. The Sheriff's Office holds arrest and jail records. Texas law makes most of these records public. Online searches are available through re:SearchTX and the Texas DPS system.

Bell County Court Records for Temple

Criminal cases from Temple are filed in the Bell County court system. Felony charges go to the District Court, and the District Clerk maintains those records. Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases go to the County Court, and the County Clerk keeps those files. Arrest records and jail bookings are maintained by the Bell County Sheriff's Office. These three offices together hold the complete criminal history record for Temple residents.

The Bell County Courthouse is the main location for in-person records requests. You can visit during regular business hours to search for cases by defendant name or cause number. Certified copies of court records are available for a fee. Call ahead to confirm what identification or information you need to bring.

How to Search Temple Criminal Records Online

Several online tools let you search criminal history records for Temple and Bell County. The re:SearchTX portal is the Texas court system's public case search tool. It covers district and county court records statewide. Search by defendant name or cause number to find case status, party names, and hearing dates. Results include cases from Bell County courts.

For a broader statewide criminal history check, the Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains the Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database. This system collects arrest and conviction data from all 254 Texas counties, including Bell County. Public access is available through name-based searches on the DPS website.

In-person searches at the Bell County Courthouse give you access to the full case file including all documents. Staff at the District Clerk and County Clerk can pull records by name or cause number. Certified copies are available for a fee and may be required for legal purposes.

Types of Criminal Records Available

Criminal history records in Temple fall into three main categories based on the type of offense. Felony records include first through third degree felonies and state jail felonies. These cases are tried in district court and filed with the Bell County District Clerk. Felony records include indictments, plea agreements, judgments, and sentencing documents. Felony convictions are also reported to the Texas DPS for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database.

Misdemeanor records cover Class A and Class B offenses. Class A misdemeanors include offenses like assault causing bodily injury and DWI. Class B misdemeanors include offenses like possession of marijuana under two ounces. These cases go through Bell County Court and the records are held by the County Clerk. Class C misdemeanors, which are the least serious, are handled by municipal courts or Justice of the Peace courts and are not part of the County Court's records.

Arrest records are kept by both city police and the county sheriff. The Temple Police Department handles arrests within city limits. The Bell County Sheriff's Office handles arrests in unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. Both agencies submit arrest data to the Texas DPS for the statewide criminal history database. You can request arrest records under the Texas Public Information Act.

Texas DPS Criminal History System

The Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system is the statewide criminal record database maintained by the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. It contains arrest and conviction data from all Texas counties, including records from Bell County that involve Temple residents. All agencies that arrest or prosecute individuals in Texas are required to report those records to DPS.

Public access to the CCH system is available through name-based searches on the DPS website. These searches return records of arrests and convictions statewide. Fingerprint-based searches provide a more complete and definitive result and are used by agencies that require verified background information. The DPS website explains fees and procedures for both types of searches.

The CCH database is governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which sets out who can access criminal history data and for what purposes. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) applies to records held by courts and law enforcement agencies, giving the public the right to request access to most records.

TDCJ Offender Search

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains records for people sentenced to state prison following felony convictions. If you are looking for someone who was convicted of a felony in Temple or Bell County and sent to state prison, the TDCJ offender search tool lets you search by name. Results show whether someone is currently incarcerated or has been released.

County jail and state prison records are separate. The Bell County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, holds people awaiting trial and those serving shorter sentences. TDCJ facilities hold people sentenced to longer terms in state prison. Use the Sheriff's Office for county jail information and the TDCJ website for state prison records.

Temple Official Resources

The Temple official website provides contact information for city departments and links to county court resources.

Use the city website to find local police contact information and links to county court records.

Bell County Criminal History Records

Temple is in Bell County. All criminal filings for Temple go through the Bell County court system. For more details on the county courts, clerk offices, and sheriff, visit the Bell County criminal history records page.

View Bell County Criminal History Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby Texas cities also have criminal history records pages on this site.