Access Hockley County Criminal History Records
Hockley County criminal history records are maintained by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Levelland, Texas. If you need to search for a criminal case, find an arrest record, or get court documents from Hockley County, this page explains which offices hold those records and how you can access them under Texas state law.
Hockley County Overview
Hockley County District Court Records
The District Clerk is the primary office for felony criminal records in Hockley County. The 286th District Court handles felony cases for Hockley County and is based in Levelland. Case files include grand jury indictments, judgments, sentencing orders, motions, and all other documents from felony prosecution. If someone was charged with a felony in Hockley County, the case file is at the District Clerk's office at the courthouse in Levelland.
You can visit the District Clerk during courthouse business hours to request records. Staff can search by cause number or defendant name. Certified copies of court documents cost a per-page fee set by state law. Felony conviction records are permanently retained as required by Texas records retention rules.
The District Clerk sends all felony conviction data to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. This is how Hockley County case information gets into the Texas Computerized Criminal History system used by law enforcement agencies and others statewide.
| Office | Hockley County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 286th District Court |
| County Seat | Levelland, TX 79336 |
| County Site | Hockley County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Records in Hockley County
Misdemeanor criminal cases in Hockley County are handled through the County Court. The County Clerk keeps all Class A and Class B misdemeanor records. These include criminal complaints, judgments, fines assessed, and community supervision orders. If someone was charged with a misdemeanor in Hockley County, their record is with the County Clerk, not the District Clerk.
Public access follows the Texas Public Information Act. Requests can be made by defendant name or case number. The County Clerk also reports misdemeanor convictions to DPS for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database. Class C offenses go to the Justice of the Peace court rather than the County Clerk.
| Office | Hockley County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| Location | Hockley County Courthouse, Levelland |
Hockley County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Hockley County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They maintain arrest reports, incident records, jail booking data, and warrant information. Arrests in unincorporated areas of Hockley County are recorded by the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff operates the county jail. Records there include booking photos, physical descriptions, bond amounts, listed charges, court dates, and release information. All arrest and booking data is reported to DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide criminal history database. Warrant records, active and served, are also maintained here. Public information requests can be submitted under the Texas Public Information Act for records that are not restricted.
The Hockley County Sheriff works with local police in Levelland and other communities, the Texas Rangers, and state agencies on criminal matters. Open investigation files may be withheld. General arrest logs and closed case records are typically available on request.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains an online offender search for people sentenced to state prison, including those from Hockley County felony convictions.
TDCJ holds state-sentenced felons in prison facilities separate from the Hockley County Jail, which houses pretrial detainees and short-term misdemeanor sentences locally.
Texas Statewide Criminal History Search
Hockley County criminal history data is part of the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service manages this database. For a search covering Hockley County and all other Texas counties, a DPS statewide request is the right choice.
DPS offers name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history requests. Name-based checks are open to the public. Fingerprint-based checks are more thorough. The DPS website has instructions and fees for each option.
The Texas Courts re:SearchTX portal lets you look up case records from district and county courts statewide. You can search by name or cause number. Basic case information is free to access through the portal.
Texas Laws on Criminal Record Access
Criminal record access in Hockley County is controlled by Texas law. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 governs access to criminal history information. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) covers public access to government records more broadly, including law enforcement files and court documents.
Most court records held by the District and County Clerk offices are open to the public. Some records can be sealed. Juvenile records face tighter limits. Records that have been expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 are removed from public access once the court grants that order.
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 lays out offense classifications. This helps you know which clerk holds the records for a given case. Felonies are at the District Clerk. Misdemeanors are at the County Clerk. Class C cases go to the JP or municipal court. If a records request is denied, the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division can review the decision.
Cities in Hockley County
Hockley County includes Levelland and several small communities. All criminal cases from communities in Hockley County are handled by the county court system in Levelland.
Nearby Counties
Hockley County borders several South Plains counties. Check where an incident took place if you are not sure which county holds the records you need.