Search Rockwall County Criminal History Records
Rockwall County criminal history records are maintained by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Rockwall, Texas. This page explains where to find felony case files, misdemeanor records, arrest logs, and related court documents in one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. Most records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, though certain files may be restricted depending on the case type or sealing orders.
Rockwall County Overview
Rockwall County District Court Records
The District Clerk in Rockwall is the official keeper of all felony criminal case files in Rockwall County. This office serves the 382nd District Court and holds indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and all motions filed in felony cases. Any felony prosecution in Rockwall County has its file at this office. Staff can search by case number or by defendant name.
Rockwall County is the smallest county by area in Texas, but it has seen rapid population growth as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro. The courthouse provides in-person access during regular business hours. The District Clerk reports all felony convictions to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service, keeping the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database current with Rockwall County data.
Case files contain grand jury indictments, all pretrial and trial motions, and the final judgment and sentence. Certified copies carry a per-page fee set by state law. The office also supports e-filing, so many recent case documents are available electronically.
| Office | Rockwall County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 382nd District Court |
| Address | Rockwall County Courthouse, 1111 E. Yellow Jacket Ln., Rockwall, TX 75087 |
| County Website | Rockwall County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Records in Rockwall County
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases are filed in the Rockwall County Court at Law. The County Clerk keeps those records. Files include the criminal complaint, judgments, any fines or community supervision orders, and case disposition. If someone was charged with a misdemeanor in Rockwall County, that file is with the County Clerk.
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) governs how you can request these records. You can ask the office to search by defendant name or case number. Certified copies carry a statutory fee. The County Clerk sends all misdemeanor conviction data to DPS for inclusion in the statewide CCH system.
| Office | Rockwall County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| Location | Rockwall County Courthouse, Rockwall, TX 75087 |
Rockwall County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Rockwall County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated parts of the county and maintains arrest records, incident reports, jail booking data, and warrant information. Any arrest made by the Sheriff's Office in Rockwall County starts with a file at this agency.
The Sheriff operates the county jail. Booking records include charges, bond amounts, and court dates. Digital booking photos are part of each booking file. All arrest and booking data is transmitted to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service for inclusion in the statewide CCH system. The office participates in TCIC and NCIC, which allows records to be shared across Texas law enforcement agencies and nationally.
Public information requests can be sent to the Sheriff's Office under the Texas Public Information Act. Closed case files, arrest logs, and general incident reports are usually available. Active investigation files may be withheld until the case is complete. Contact the office directly to confirm how to submit a request and what to expect for response times.
For jail inmate searches, the Rockwall County Sheriff's Office website typically provides a roster search tool. Check the county website for current online access options.
Texas Statewide Criminal History Search
Rockwall County records feed into the Texas Computerized Criminal History system run by the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. All Texas counties report arrest and conviction data to this central database. A statewide search covers records from all counties, not just Rockwall.
DPS provides name-based and fingerprint-based search options. Name-based searches are open to the public and return results for anyone in the system. Fingerprint searches are more precise and are used for licensing, official background checks, and employment in regulated industries. The DPS website lists current fees and submission instructions.
The Texas Courts re:SearchTX portal provides free online access to court case records from across the state. Search by name or case number. Rockwall County cases in the system will appear in results. For older records or cases not yet digitized, contact the District Clerk or County Clerk directly.
Texas Laws That Govern Record Access
Criminal records in Rockwall County are subject to several state laws. The main statute is Texas Government Code Chapter 411. This law sets out who can get criminal history information and what limits apply to each type of requester. Courts, law enforcement, and state agencies have the broadest access.
The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) gives the public the right to request government records. Agencies must respond within ten business days. If the agency thinks a record is confidential, they must ask the Texas Attorney General's Office for a ruling before withholding it.
Court records can be sealed in certain cases. Juvenile records are subject to stricter access rules than adult records. Records tied to expunctions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 may be removed from public view. The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 classifies offenses, determining which clerk holds the relevant case file.
State Offender Records and TDCJ
Rockwall County residents convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison also have records in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender database. TDCJ makes offender information available online. A name search shows whether someone is currently in a state prison facility or has a prior TDCJ record.
County jail and TDCJ records are two different things. The Rockwall County Jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving short misdemeanor sentences locally. The Sheriff's Office keeps those records. TDCJ records cover people serving state felony sentences in state prison. You may need to check both sources for a full picture.
Texas DPS Crime Records Portal
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service is the state agency that collects arrest and conviction data from all Texas counties, including Rockwall. The DPS portal explains how to submit record requests and what identification is required.
DPS name-based searches return results for any person with a record in the Texas CCH system. Results include case-level detail such as offense type, conviction date, and county of conviction.
Open Government and Public Records Rights
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division is the resource to contact if a Rockwall County office refuses a valid public information request. The AG enforces the Texas Public Information Act and can compel disclosure through a binding opinion.
If an agency withholds records without seeking a proper AG ruling, you can file a complaint. The AG reviews the situation and issues a decision. Most agencies comply once the AG's office is involved.
Cities in Rockwall County
Rockwall County includes Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City, Heath, and Fate. All criminal cases from these cities and unincorporated areas are handled by the county court system in Rockwall.
Nearby Counties
Rockwall County borders several counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Check the county where an arrest or case occurred if you are not sure which office holds the records.