Orange County Criminal History Records
Criminal history records in Orange County go through three main offices in Orange: the District Clerk for felony cases, the County Clerk for misdemeanor cases, and the Sheriff's Office for arrest records. All three offices operate under the Texas Public Information Act, which means most records are available to the public. You can search for case information online or visit the courthouse in person to get certified copies.
Orange County Overview
Orange County District Court Records
Felony criminal records in Orange County are held by the District Clerk, who serves the 128th 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 Orange. 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 Orange 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 Orange County records are part of the larger statewide system.
| Office | Orange County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 128th District Court |
| County Site | Orange County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Criminal Records in Orange County
The County Clerk in Orange 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 | Orange County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| County Site | Orange County Official Website |
Orange County Sheriff Arrest Records
Arrest records for Orange 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.
Orange County Official Records
The Orange 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.
Orange County Official Records
The Orange 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.
Orange County Official Records
The Orange 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.
Orange County Official Records
The Orange 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
Criminal records from Orange County are part of the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History database. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains the CCH system, which collects arrest and conviction data from all 254 Texas counties.
The DPS CCH system covers arrests and dispositions statewide. Public access is available through name-based searches. A fingerprint-based search provides a more complete record and is used for background checks by authorized agencies. The DPS Crime Records Division handles both types of requests.
The re:SearchTX portal is the Texas court system's public case search tool. It includes Orange County district and county court records along with cases from courts across the state. Search by defendant name or cause number to find case status and hearing dates.
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
Texas law governs access to criminal history records in Orange County and every other county in the state. Government Code Chapter 411 controls criminal history access. The Public Information Act (Chapter 552) gives the public the right to request government records, including court documents and arrest logs.
Most court records in Orange County are public. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile records, and records that have been expunged. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66, a court can order records expunged, which removes them from public access.
Offense classification under Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 determines which court handled a case. First degree through state jail felonies are in District Court. Class A and B misdemeanors are in County Court. Class C misdemeanors are in Justice of the Peace or municipal courts. This classification tells you which clerk's office to contact.
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
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains records for people who were sentenced to state prison after felony convictions in Orange County or elsewhere in Texas. Their online offender search lets you look up current and former inmates by name.
The Orange County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, is separate from state prisons. County jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. State prison, run by TDCJ, holds people convicted of felonies and sentenced to longer terms. Records from the two systems are maintained separately.
Cities in Orange County
Orange County includes Orange and several smaller communities. All criminal cases from cities and unincorporated areas in Orange County are handled by the county court system in Orange.
Nearby Counties
Orange 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.