Bastrop County Criminal History Records

Bastrop County criminal history records are kept by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Bastrop, Texas. This page covers how to access felony and misdemeanor case files, look up arrest records, and request certified court documents from the agencies that maintain criminal records in Bastrop County. Most records are available to the public under the Texas Public Information Act.

Bastrop County District Court Records

The District Clerk is the key office for felony criminal records in Bastrop County. This office serves the 335th District Court and keeps all felony case files. Records include grand jury indictments, judgments, sentencing orders, motions, and all other documents from felony prosecutions. If someone was charged with a felony in Bastrop County, the District Clerk has the file.

Staff at the courthouse in Bastrop can search records by case number or defendant name during regular business hours. Public access terminals are available for self-service searches. Certified copies cost a fee set under Texas Government Code. Felony conviction records are kept permanently under state retention rules. The office also coordinates the record on appeal for criminal cases heading to higher courts, and uses electronic case management software to track cases from filing through final disposition.

The District Clerk sends all felony conviction data to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service so Bastrop County records appear in the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History database.

Misdemeanor Criminal Records in Bastrop County

Misdemeanor cases in Bastrop County go through the County Court at Law, and the County Clerk holds those records. Class A and Class B misdemeanor files are here. That means complaints, judgments, fines, and community supervision orders. The County Clerk in Bastrop also keeps Commissioners Court records, which cover jail operations and law enforcement budgets.

Public access is governed by the Texas Public Information Act. You can search by case number or defendant name. Certified copies are available for a fee set by state law. Staff assist with searches during business hours, and public terminals allow self-service searching as well. The County Clerk also reports misdemeanor conviction data to DPS for the statewide criminal history database.

Bastrop County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. They maintain arrest records, incident reports, jail booking records, and warrant files. Anyone arrested in unincorporated Bastrop County will have a record at the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff operates the Bastrop County Jail. Jail records include booking photos, physical descriptions, charges, bond amounts, court dates, and release information. All arrest and booking data is sent to DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide criminal history database. The office also tracks active and served warrant records for the county. You can file a public information request under the Texas Public Information Act.

The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office participates in NCIC and TCIC for statewide and interstate information sharing with law enforcement. Deputies generate offense reports, investigative case files, and clearance documentation for incidents in the county. Records of traffic accidents and civil process services are also maintained following state retention schedules.

Active investigation files and confidential informant records may be withheld. Closed case files and arrest logs are generally available. The county's growing population, driven by proximity to Austin, means the Sheriff's Office handles a range of criminal matters including property crimes, drug offenses, and violent crimes.

Bastrop County Official Records Portal

The Bastrop County official website has contact information for the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office, along with courthouse hours and addresses.

Most in-person records requests are handled at the Bastrop courthouse. The county site helps you find the right office before your visit.

Texas Statewide Criminal History Search

Bastrop County criminal history data is part of the Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system run by Texas DPS Crime Records Service. All counties report arrest and disposition data to DPS, making it a single statewide resource.

For a statewide search beyond Bastrop County alone, you can request a name-based or fingerprint-based search from DPS. Name searches are open to the public. Fingerprint searches give more complete results and are used for licensing and official purposes. Fee and instruction information is on the DPS website.

The re:SearchTX portal from the Texas courts lets you search court cases statewide. Bastrop County cases can be found by name or case number. Basic information is free. Records from before the 1990s may not appear online and may require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Texas Laws Governing Criminal Records

Criminal record access in Bastrop County follows state law. The Texas Government Code Chapter 411 sets rules for who can access criminal history data and how. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) governs public access to government records broadly, including court files and law enforcement documents.

Court records at the District Clerk and County Clerk are open to the public in most cases. Some can be sealed. Juvenile records have strict limits. Records covered by an expunction order under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 can be removed from public access once a court grants the petition.

The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 covers offense classifications. Felonies go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanors go to the County Clerk. Class C offenses go to Justice of the Peace courts. For help with public information rights, the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division is a good resource.

Offender Records and TDCJ

For Bastrop County residents convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison, records are also held by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The TDCJ offender search is available online and lets you look up current and former state inmates by name.

County jail records are separate from TDCJ records. The Bastrop County Jail holds pretrial detainees and people serving short misdemeanor sentences. Those records stay with the Sheriff's Office. TDCJ holds felons serving longer state prison sentences at facilities across Texas.

Cities in Bastrop County

Bastrop County includes Bastrop, Smithville, Elgin, and other communities. All criminal cases from cities and unincorporated areas in the county are handled through the county court system in Bastrop.

Nearby Counties

Bastrop County is southeast of Austin. If you are not sure which county has the records you need, check where the incident or case occurred.