Somervell County Criminal History Records
Somervell County criminal history records are held by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Glen Rose. Whether you need court case records, arrest history, or certified copies of criminal documents, this page explains how to access Somervell County criminal records through local offices and the Texas statewide database system.
Somervell County Overview
Somervell County District Clerk
The Somervell County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal case records for the county. The 18th Judicial District Court serves Somervell County along with other North-Central Texas counties. All indictments, judgments, sentencing orders, and felony court documents are filed and stored by the District Clerk's office in Glen Rose.
You can search for Somervell County criminal cases through the re:SearchTX portal, which provides free public access to Texas court records statewide. Cases can be searched by party name or cause number. For older records or certified copies, contact the District Clerk directly at the courthouse.
The District Clerk sends all felony conviction data to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service, where it becomes part of the Texas Computerized Criminal History database. This process is mandated by state law under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66.
| Office | Somervell County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 112 Allen Drive, Glen Rose, TX 76043 |
| Phone | (254) 897-4427 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Somervell County Sheriff's Office
The Somervell County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. It maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking information. Every arrest made in the county results in a record that gets submitted to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service.
Jail records include booking photos, charges, bond information, and court dates. You can request records under the Texas Public Information Act. Submit your request in writing to the Sheriff's Office. Records related to active investigations may be withheld or partially redacted. The office also participates in TCIC and NCIC for broader criminal information sharing.
Note: An arrest record does not mean a conviction. Court records at the District Clerk show what happened after an arrest, including whether charges were filed and what the outcome was.
| Office | Somervell County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 107 Allen Drive, Glen Rose, TX 76043 |
| Phone | (254) 897-2304 |
Criminal Court Records in Somervell County
Somervell County has one combined District/County Clerk office that handles both felony and misdemeanor criminal records. Felony cases go through the 18th District Court. Misdemeanor Class A and B cases are handled by the county court. Both types of records are publicly accessible at the same office in Glen Rose.
Court records typically include the original charging document, a docket sheet showing court dates and hearings, the final judgment, any sentencing order, and documents related to probation or community supervision. Certified copies are available for a fee. Plain copies cost less. If you just need to verify a case exists or check a disposition, the free re:SearchTX portal may have that information without requiring a trip to Glen Rose.
The Texas Judicial Branch website provides a court locator and general information about how Texas courts maintain records and what the public can access.
Texas DPS Criminal History Database
The Texas DPS Crime Records Service runs the Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This central database collects arrest and conviction data from all Texas counties, including Somervell County. A DPS criminal history request covers the entire state, not just one county. That makes it useful when you need a broader view of someone's criminal record.
DPS offers name-based searches to the public through their online portal. These searches cost a small fee and return results from the statewide database. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and are used in situations where identity needs to be confirmed. You can find information about how to request a search at the DPS Crime Records Service website.
The laws governing access to this data include Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which sets rules on who can receive DPS criminal history records. Court records from county clerks remain separately accessible as public records under the Texas Public Information Act.
What Somervell County Criminal Records Include
Criminal records in Somervell County come from different sources depending on what you need. Court records from the District/County Clerk office cover the legal proceedings: charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office cover the initial booking and detention. State DPS records pull together data from both sources into one statewide history.
A typical criminal case record in Somervell County may include:
- Full name and date of birth of the defendant
- Date and location of arrest or offense
- Charging instrument (indictment or complaint)
- Assigned court and cause number
- Plea entered and outcome of each charge
- Sentence imposed (probation, jail time, fines)
- Any subsequent modifications or appeals
Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged records are removed from public view. If a case was dismissed or a person was acquitted, those records may still exist in the court file but will show the outcome clearly.
Texas Laws on Criminal Records Access
Access to criminal records in Texas is shaped by several state laws. The Texas Public Information Act gives people the right to request records held by government agencies, including county clerks and sheriff's offices. Agencies must respond within 10 business days. If they want to withhold records, they must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Court records are presumed public unless a specific rule seals them. Juvenile cases, expunctions, and nondisclosures are the main exceptions. The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 defines offense categories, which tells you how serious a charge was based on its classification in the record.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains a separate offender search for people who served time in state prison. This covers those convicted of felony offenses serious enough to result in TDCJ confinement rather than county jail time.
State Resources for Criminal Records
The Texas DPS maintains the statewide criminal history database that includes records from Somervell County and all other Texas counties.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides an online offender search tool that lets you look up people currently or formerly held in state custody after felony convictions.
The Texas Judicial Branch operates the re:SearchTX public records portal, which includes court case data from Somervell County district and county courts.
Texas Penal Code statutes define the classification of offenses, which determines how criminal records are categorized and what penalties apply.
Cities in Somervell County
Glen Rose is the county seat and main city in Somervell County. All criminal cases in the county are handled by the Somervell County courts in Glen Rose.
Nearby Counties
Somervell County borders the following counties. Each has its own courts and clerk offices for criminal records.