Find Criminal Records in San Patricio County
If you need criminal history records from San Patricio County, you start at the courthouse in Sinton. The District Clerk handles felony filings and judgments. The County Clerk keeps Class A and B misdemeanor records. The Sheriff's Office has arrest records and jail logs. Texas law makes most of these records public. This page explains how to search for records, which offices to contact, and what statewide databases are available.
San Patricio County Overview
San Patricio County District Court Records
For felony cases in San Patricio County, the District Clerk is the right office to contact. The 36th District Court handles serious criminal matters, and the District Clerk maintains all case files, judgments, and court orders. Records of felony convictions are kept permanently under state records retention rules.
Records searches at the District Clerk's office in Sinton can be done in person or by written request. Staff can look up felony cases by defendant name or cause number. Certified copies of judgments, indictments, and other documents are available. Fees are set by Texas law and collected at the time of the request.
Under Texas law, the District Clerk is required to report all felony dispositions to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. This reporting links San Patricio County court records to the statewide criminal history system maintained by the Department of Public Safety.
| Office | San Patricio County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Court | 36th District Court |
| County Site | San Patricio County Official Website |
Misdemeanor Criminal Records in San Patricio County
Misdemeanor records in San Patricio County are held by the County Clerk, who serves as the court clerk for the County Court. Class A misdemeanors include offenses like assault and theft. Class B misdemeanors include offenses like possession of marijuana under two ounces and first-offense DWI. All these records are kept in the County Clerk's office.
County Clerk records are public under the Texas Public Information Act. You can request a records search from the County Clerk. Class C misdemeanor cases are not held here. Those minor offenses go through Justice of the Peace courts or city municipal courts and are kept separately.
| Office | San Patricio County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Records Held | Class A and B Misdemeanors |
| County Site | San Patricio County Official Website |
San Patricio County Sheriff Arrest Records
For arrest records in San Patricio County, contact the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff maintains arrest and booking records for incidents that occur in the county's unincorporated areas. They also operate the county jail and keep logs of all persons booked, held, and released.
The Sheriff's Office runs the San Patricio County Jail and keeps complete booking records for everyone taken into custody. This includes the charges, bond conditions, and disposition of the jail stay. Warrant records and civil process records are also kept by the Sheriff.
The Texas Public Information Act gives you the right to request arrest records from the San Patricio County Sheriff's Office. Most arrest logs and closed case incident reports are public. Some records, including those involving juveniles or active investigations, may require more time or may not be releasable.
San Patricio County Official Records
The San Patricio 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.
San Patricio County Official Records
The San Patricio 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.
San Patricio County Official Records
The San Patricio 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.
San Patricio County Official Records
The San Patricio 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
San Patricio County criminal history data also flows into the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains this database, which includes arrests and dispositions reported by all counties across Texas.
For a statewide criminal history check that goes beyond just San Patricio County, you can submit a name-based or fingerprint-based request to DPS. Name-based searches are available to the public. Fingerprint-based searches provide a more complete and reliable result. The DPS site explains both options and the fees involved.
The Texas Courts online search portal (re:SearchTX) lets you look up case information from district and county courts statewide. This includes San Patricio County cases that have been entered into the system. You can search by name or case number at no cost for basic case information.
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
Access to criminal history records in San Patricio County follows state law. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 sets the rules for who can access criminal history information and how. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) governs public access to government records more broadly, including court files and law enforcement records.
Court records at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices are generally open to the public. Some records can be sealed by court order. Juvenile records have stricter access rules under state law. Records subject to expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 may be destroyed or sealed once a court orders it.
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 outlines how offenses are classified. Knowing the offense class tells you which court handled the case and which clerk has the records. Felonies go to the District Clerk, Class A and B misdemeanors go to the County Clerk, and Class C misdemeanors go to Justice of the Peace or municipal courts.
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
For San Patricio County residents who were convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison, records are also kept by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDCJ runs the state prison system and maintains offender information online. You can search by name to find out if someone is currently incarcerated in a TDCJ facility or has served time there.
County jail records are separate. The San Patricio County Jail holds pretrial detainees and people serving shorter misdemeanor sentences. Those records stay with the Sheriff's Office. TDCJ holds state-sentenced felons who are serving longer terms in state prison.
Cities in San Patricio County
San Patricio County includes Sinton and several smaller communities. All criminal cases from cities and unincorporated areas in San Patricio County are handled by the county court system in Sinton.
Nearby Counties
San Patricio 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.