Find Criminal Records in Dawson County
If you need criminal history records from Dawson County, you start at the courthouse in Lamesa. The District Clerk handles felony filings and judgments. The County Clerk keeps Class A and B misdemeanor records. The Sheriff's Office has arrest records and jail logs. Texas law makes most of these records public. This page explains how to search for records, which offices to contact, and what statewide databases are available.
Dawson County Overview
Dawson County District Court Records
Felony criminal records in Dawson County are held by the District Clerk, who serves the 106th District Court. The office keeps a complete record of each felony case, from the initial filing through the final judgment. That includes indictments, motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders.
The District Clerk's office is open to the public during courthouse hours in Lamesa. You can request a case search by defendant name or cause number. Certified copies of court records are available for a fee. Staff can assist with records going back many years, though older records may need extra time to locate.
All felony convictions in Dawson County are reported by the District Clerk to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service for inclusion in the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database. This ensures that Dawson County records are part of the larger statewide system.
| Office | Dawson County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 106th District Court |
| County Site | Dawson County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Criminal Records in Dawson County
The County Clerk in Dawson County maintains records for Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases. These cases are filed in the County Court and include charges like assault, theft under a certain threshold, and DWI first offense. The County Clerk is the custodian of these case files from filing through final disposition.
The Texas Public Information Act makes most County Clerk records available to the public. You can request a search by defendant name or cause number. Note that Class C misdemeanors are handled by Justice of the Peace or municipal courts and are not part of the County Clerk's records.
| Office | Dawson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| County Site | Dawson County Official Website |
Dawson County Sheriff Arrest Records
Arrest records for Dawson County are maintained by the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer for the county and operates the county jail. Records kept at the Sheriff's Office include arrest logs, booking photos, bond information, charges filed, and release dates.
The county jail is operated by the Sheriff's Office. All inmates are booked upon arrival, and those records include the booking date, charges, bond status, and physical description. All arrest data flows to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database.
Public information requests for arrest records and incident reports can be submitted to the Sheriff under the Texas Public Information Act. Most closed case records and booking logs are available to the public. The Sheriff may withhold records that could compromise an active investigation.
Dawson County Official Records
The Dawson County official website provides access to criminal history records portal.
The county website provides contact information and links for the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office.
Dawson County Official Records
The Dawson County official website provides access to criminal history records portal.
The county website provides contact information and links for the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office.
Dawson County Official Records
The Dawson County official website provides access to criminal history records portal.
The county website provides contact information and links for the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office.
Dawson County Official Records
The Dawson County official website provides access to criminal history records portal.
The county website provides contact information and links for the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office.
Texas Statewide Criminal History Search
Dawson County criminal history data also flows into the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains this database, which includes arrests and dispositions reported by all counties across Texas.
For a statewide criminal history check that goes beyond just Dawson County, you can submit a name-based or fingerprint-based request to DPS. Name-based searches are available to the public. Fingerprint-based searches provide a more complete and reliable result. The DPS site explains both options and the fees involved.
The Texas Courts online search portal (re:SearchTX) lets you look up case information from district and county courts statewide. This includes Dawson County cases that have been entered into the system. You can search by name or case number at no cost for basic case information.
Note: Not all older records are in the online system. For records before the 1990s, in-person requests to the county clerk or district clerk may be needed.
Texas Laws Governing Criminal Records
Access to criminal history records in Dawson County follows state law. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 sets the rules for who can access criminal history information and how. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) governs public access to government records more broadly, including court files and law enforcement records.
Court records at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices are generally open to the public. Some records can be sealed by court order. Juvenile records have stricter access rules under state law. Records subject to expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 may be destroyed or sealed once a court orders it.
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 outlines how offenses are classified. Knowing the offense class tells you which court handled the case and which clerk has the records. Felonies go to the District Clerk, Class A and B misdemeanors go to the County Clerk, and Class C misdemeanors go to Justice of the Peace or municipal courts.
If you need guidance on what records are available or how to request them, the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division provides free information on public records rights under the Texas Public Information Act.
Offender Records and TDCJ
For Dawson County residents who were convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison, records are also kept by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDCJ runs the state prison system and maintains offender information online. You can search by name to find out if someone is currently incarcerated in a TDCJ facility or has served time there.
County jail records are separate. The Dawson County Jail holds pretrial detainees and people serving shorter misdemeanor sentences. Those records stay with the Sheriff's Office. TDCJ holds state-sentenced felons who are serving longer terms in state prison.
Cities in Dawson County
Dawson County includes Lamesa and several smaller communities. All criminal cases from cities and unincorporated areas in Dawson County are handled by the county court system in Lamesa.
Nearby Counties
Dawson County borders several other Texas counties. If you are unsure which county has the records you need, check the location where the incident or case occurred.