Tyler, Texas Criminal History Records
Criminal history records for Tyler are held by the Tyler Police Department, Smith County courts, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Tyler is the county seat of Smith County in East Texas, and all felony and higher misdemeanor cases arising in the city go through the Smith County court system. Note that Tyler County is a separate county with Woodville as its seat; this page covers only the city of Tyler in Smith County. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains the statewide Computerized Criminal History system that aggregates records from all Texas agencies into one searchable database.
Tyler Overview
Smith County Court Records for Tyler
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County. All felony charges and Class A and B misdemeanor cases arising in Tyler go to the Smith County courts. The Smith County District Clerk holds felony case files. The County Clerk maintains misdemeanor records for cases handled in the county courts at law. Both offices are at the Smith County Courthouse in downtown Tyler.
The Smith County District Clerk's office offers public case searches. You can look up records by name or case number and see the charges, court dates, and case status. Certified copies require a fee. Visit the Smith County website for online access or go in person to the courthouse. The clerk's staff can assist with searches during normal business hours.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Smith County District Clerk | 100 N. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX 75702 | (903) 590-1660 |
| Smith County Clerk | 100 N. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX 75702 | (903) 590-4670 |
| Smith County Sheriff | 210 S. Bois D'Arc Ave., Tyler, TX 75702 | (903) 566-6600 |
| Tyler Police Department | 711 W. Ferguson St., Tyler, TX 75702 | (903) 531-1000 |
| Tyler Municipal Court | 212 N. Bonner Ave., Tyler, TX 75702 | (903) 531-1320 |
Full county information is available on the Smith County criminal history records page.
How to Search Tyler Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX statewide portal indexes case records from Smith County courts. Search by name or case number to see case status, charges, and court activity for most filed cases. This is free and is usually the fastest first step for an online search.
The Smith County District Clerk also maintains a public access portal through the county website at smithcountytx.gov. Going directly to the county system may return results not yet indexed by re:SearchTX. For Class C misdemeanor cases in Tyler Municipal Court, contact the court directly since those records are separate from the county court system.
For a certified, comprehensive Texas criminal history, submit a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. DPS collects arrest and disposition data from all Texas law enforcement agencies, including Tyler Police and the Smith County Sheriff. Fees apply. Name-based searches are public. Fingerprint-based searches are more thorough and are used for official purposes.
Types of Records in Tyler
Felony records are held by the Smith County District Clerk. These include state jail felonies through first-degree felonies. They are public unless sealed by court order and searchable online or in person at the courthouse.
Class A and B misdemeanor records are filed with the Smith County Clerk and handled in the county courts at law. These include first-offense DWI, certain assault charges, and theft in certain ranges. Both the arrest and court file are public records.
Class C misdemeanor records are handled by Tyler Municipal Court. These cover petty violations and minor traffic offenses and are managed separately from the county court system.
Arrest records are generated by the Tyler Police Department and the Smith County Sheriff. All arrests are reported to DPS. Even if charges are not filed or a case is dismissed, the arrest record remains in the DPS system until an expunction order removes it. The Tyler Police Records Division handles public information requests for police reports under the Texas Public Information Act.
Texas DPS Criminal History (CCH)
The Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History system is the central repository for all Texas criminal records. Every arrest by Tyler Police or the Smith County Sheriff must be reported to DPS. Every court disposition in Smith County must also be reported. The CCH then holds both the arrest record and the court outcome in one place.
A public name-based search through DPS returns results based on name and date of birth. This costs a small fee and is open to anyone. Because it uses name matching rather than fingerprints, there is some risk of false positives or missed records. Fingerprint-based searches confirm identity and return a more complete record. They are typically done through approved fingerprint agencies and are required for professional licenses and official background checks.
You can request your own DPS criminal history at any time through the DPS Crime Records portal. If something is wrong, you can challenge it through the DPS challenge process.
TDCJ Offender Records
If someone convicted of a felony in Tyler was sentenced to state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has a record. The TDCJ offender search is free and searchable by name. It shows sentence information, housing unit, projected release dates, and parole status for current and former TDCJ inmates.
TDCJ records cover only the incarceration history, not the full criminal case record. For complete case details, you need to search the Smith County District Clerk's records. Both sources together give a more complete picture of a person's criminal history for serious felony cases.
The City of Tyler's official website provides access to police department records requests, municipal court services, and public safety information for Tyler residents and those searching criminal history records in the East Texas area.
All Tyler Police Department arrests are reported to the Texas DPS, making the statewide CCH system the most comprehensive source for Tyler criminal history records.
Texas Laws on Criminal Record Access
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) gives the public the right to access most government records, including police reports and court files, unless a specific exemption applies. The Texas Government Code Chapter 411 specifically governs the DPS criminal history database and sets out what is public, what is restricted, and how fees are assessed.
Some Tyler records may be sealed. Arrests that did not result in conviction can be expunged in most cases. Deferred adjudication cases that have been discharged may be eligible for a nondisclosure order that limits public access. An attorney familiar with Texas expunction law can help determine eligibility for a specific case. The Texas Attorney General's Office handles complaints about improper denials of public information requests.
Smith County Criminal History Records
The city of Tyler is located in Smith County. All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases from Tyler are processed through the Smith County court system in downtown Tyler.