Knox County Criminal History Records
Knox County criminal history records are maintained by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Benjamin, Texas. This page explains how to find court case files, arrest records, and other criminal justice documents held by county offices. Knox County handles felony cases through the 50th District Court and misdemeanor cases through the County Court, with records open to the public under Texas law.
Knox County Overview
Knox County District Court Records
The District Clerk manages all felony criminal records for Knox County. The 50th District Court covers Knox County along with several neighboring counties in this part of West Texas. Felony cases handled here include state jail felonies, third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, and first-degree felonies. All indictments, judgments, and related filings are on file with the District Clerk in Benjamin.
You can visit the Knox County Courthouse during business hours to search records by defendant name or case number. Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee. The office reports all felony dispositions to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service, which enters them into the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History system.
Because Knox County is rural and small, records staff may be limited. Calling ahead before visiting is a good idea. Some older records may require additional time to pull from storage. The District Clerk can tell you exactly what is on file and what it will cost to get a copy.
| Office | Knox County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 50th District Court |
| Address | 100 W Cedar St, Benjamin, TX 79505 |
| County Site | Knox County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Records in Knox County
The County Clerk handles Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal records. These are cases heard in the Knox County Court. Common misdemeanors in this category include assault, DWI, theft under certain amounts, and criminal mischief. Records include complaints, orders, fines, and probation terms.
Public access to misdemeanor court files is available under the Texas Public Information Act. Staff can search by name or case number. Copies cost a fee per page set by state law. Class C misdemeanors go to the Justice of the Peace court rather than the County Court.
| Office | Knox County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| Address | 100 W Cedar St, Benjamin, TX 79505 |
Knox County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Knox County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. They keep arrest records, booking data, incident reports, and warrant information for the unincorporated areas of Knox County. When someone is arrested and booked into the county jail, that data goes to the Sheriff's records division.
Booking records include the date of arrest, charges filed, bond amounts, and inmate photos. The Sheriff's Office sends arrest data to DPS so it gets added to the statewide criminal history database. If you need records of an arrest or incident that took place outside city limits in Knox County, the Sheriff is the right office to contact.
Requests for public records from the Knox County Sheriff go through the Texas Public Information Act process. You can submit a written request for arrest records, incident reports, or other non-exempt law enforcement records. Some records related to open investigations or informants may be withheld, but general arrest logs and booking data are generally available.
The Sheriff's Office also coordinates with the Munday Police Department and other local agencies on joint investigations. All arrest data from those agencies eventually flows to DPS as well.
Texas Statewide Criminal History Search
Knox County criminal history data feeds into the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system run by the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. This database aggregates arrests and dispositions from all 254 Texas counties.
To search beyond Knox County, you can request a name-based or fingerprint-based criminal history from DPS. Name-based searches are open to the public and can be done online or by mail. Fingerprint-based searches are more complete and accurate but require a live scan or ink card submission. DPS charges a fee for each search type.
The Texas Courts re:SearchTX portal lets you look up case records from district and county courts across the state at no cost for basic data. Knox County cases in the system can be found by name or case number. Not all older records have been digitized, so in-person requests may be needed for historical cases.
Texas Laws Governing Criminal Records
Access to criminal records in Knox County is governed by state law. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 gives DPS authority to maintain the statewide criminal history database and sets rules for who can access it. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) covers public access to records held by county offices.
Court records held by clerks are generally open to public inspection. There are exceptions: juvenile records, sealed cases, and expunged records are not public. Once a court orders an expunction under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66, the county is required to destroy or seal those files.
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 classifies criminal offenses by severity. Knowing whether an offense was a felony or misdemeanor tells you which court handled it and thus which clerk has the records. For help with public records questions, contact the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division.
TDCJ Offender Records
Knox County residents who were convicted of felonies and sent to state prison have records maintained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDCJ's online offender search lets you look up current and former state inmates by name. You can find out if someone is currently incarcerated, their projected release date, and their conviction record.
County jail records are separate from TDCJ records. The Knox County Jail holds people who are awaiting trial or serving short misdemeanor sentences. Those records stay with the Sheriff's Office. TDCJ only holds state-sentenced felons who are in a state prison facility.
Cities in Knox County
Knox County includes the cities of Benjamin, Munday, and Knox City, along with several small communities. All criminal cases from cities and unincorporated areas in Knox County are handled by the county court system in Benjamin.
Nearby Counties
Knox County sits in northwest Texas bordered by several other counties. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check the location where the case or arrest occurred.