Access Matagorda County Criminal History
The Matagorda County courthouse in Bay City is where criminal case records are filed and kept. Felony cases are handled by the District Clerk. Misdemeanor cases go to the County Clerk. Arrest and jail records are kept by the Sheriff's Office. Knowing which office to contact saves time. Under Texas state law, most criminal court records are open to the public unless sealed by court order.
Matagorda County Overview
Matagorda County District Court Records
The District Clerk is the main office for felony criminal records in Matagorda County. This office serves the 23rd District Court and keeps all felony case files, including indictments, judgments, motions, and other court documents from criminal prosecutions. If someone was charged with a felony in Matagorda County, the case file is here.
You can visit the District Clerk's office at the Matagorda County Courthouse in Bay City during regular business hours. Staff can search records by case number or defendant name and provide certified copies for a fee set by state law. Call ahead to confirm hours and what identification you need to bring.
The District Clerk also coordinates with the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service to make sure all felony convictions are reported to the statewide criminal history database. This is how Matagorda County data flows into the Texas Computerized Criminal History system.
| Office | Matagorda County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 23rd District Court |
| County Site | Matagorda County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Criminal Records in Matagorda County
Misdemeanor criminal cases in Matagorda County go through the County Court. The County Clerk keeps all Class A and Class B misdemeanor records. These include complaints, judgments, fines, and community supervision orders. If someone was charged with a misdemeanor in Matagorda County, their case file is with the County Clerk.
Public access to County Clerk records is available under the Texas Public Information Act. You can ask to search records by case number or defendant name. Certified copies are available for a fee. Class C misdemeanors, which are the least serious, are handled by Justice of the Peace courts or municipal courts, not the County Court.
| Office | Matagorda County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| County Site | Matagorda County Official Website |
Matagorda County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Matagorda County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. They maintain arrest records, incident reports, jail booking records, and warrant information. If someone was arrested in the unincorporated parts of Matagorda County, the Sheriff's Office has that record.
The Sheriff's office operates the county jail. Records kept there include booking photos, physical descriptions, bond amounts, charges, and release dates. All arrest and booking data gets sent to the DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide database. The office also keeps records on warrants issued and served in the county.
You can submit a public information request to the Sheriff under the Texas Public Information Act. Closed case files and general arrest logs are generally available on request. Records related to ongoing investigations or confidential informants may not be released right away.
Matagorda County Official Records
The Matagorda 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.
Matagorda County Official Records
The Matagorda 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.
Matagorda County Official Records
The Matagorda 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.
Matagorda County Official Records
The Matagorda 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
The Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system maintained by the Texas DPS Crime Records Division includes data from Matagorda County along with records from every other county in the state.
You can request a name-based criminal history check through Texas DPS to get results that span all Texas counties, not just Matagorda County. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and are used when a definitive record is needed.
Texas courts provide public case searches through re:SearchTX. This free portal covers district and county court cases including those filed in Matagorda County. Searches by name or case number return party information, case status, and docket entries.
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
Two main laws govern criminal record access in Matagorda County. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 controls who can access criminal history data and under what conditions. The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) applies to all government records, including court files.
While most criminal court records in Matagorda County are open to the public, some are restricted. Juvenile records are not public. Records sealed by court order are not accessible. Records subject to expunction orders under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 must be destroyed or removed from public databases.
Texas classifies criminal offenses by severity under Penal Code Chapter 12. Felonies of all grades are tried in district court. Class A and B misdemeanors go to county court. Class C misdemeanors are handled at the justice of the peace or municipal court level. Each level has its own clerk and records system.
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
State prison records for felons from Matagorda County are kept by TDCJ. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice runs the state prison system and provides online offender searches. You can look up anyone who is currently in a TDCJ facility or has previously been incarcerated there.
County jail records in Matagorda County are with the Sheriff. State prison records are with TDCJ. The two systems do not overlap. If you are searching for someone in short-term county detention, contact the Sheriff's Office. If they are serving a felony sentence in a state prison, use the TDCJ offender search.
Cities in Matagorda County
Matagorda County includes Bay City and several smaller communities. All criminal cases from cities and unincorporated areas in Matagorda County are handled by the county court system in Bay City.
Nearby Counties
Matagorda 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.