Uvalde County Criminal History Records

Uvalde County criminal history records are maintained by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Uvalde, Texas. This page covers how to search for criminal case files, arrest records, and court documents in Uvalde County. The county handles both felony and misdemeanor cases through the 38th District Court and the County Court at Law, and most records are open to the public under state law. Whether you need a certified copy of a court judgment or want to look up an arrest, the offices in Uvalde can help you find what you need.

Uvalde County District Court Records

The District Clerk is the main office for felony criminal records in Uvalde County. This office serves the 38th District Court and keeps all felony case files. That includes indictments, judgments, motions, and all documents from felony criminal prosecutions. If someone was charged with a felony in Uvalde County, the file is here.

You can visit the District Clerk's office at the Uvalde County Courthouse during regular business hours. Staff can search records by case number or defendant name. The office provides certified copies of court records for fees set by state law. Records of felony convictions are kept permanently, as required by state records retention schedules.

The District Clerk also reports all felony conviction data to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service, feeding Uvalde County case data into the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History database.

Misdemeanor Criminal Records in Uvalde County

Misdemeanor criminal cases in Uvalde County go through the County Court at Law. The County Clerk keeps all Class A and Class B misdemeanor records. These include complaints, judgments, fines, and community supervision orders. If someone faced a misdemeanor charge in Uvalde County, their file is with the County Clerk.

Public access to these records is available under the Texas Public Information Act. You can request searches by case number or defendant name. Certified copies carry a fee set by state law. The County Clerk also maintains records of the Commissioners Court, which sets the county jail budget and oversees local criminal justice spending.

Uvalde County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Uvalde County Sheriff's Office is the main 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 Uvalde County, the Sheriff's Office holds that record.

The Sheriff operates the county jail and keeps booking photos, physical descriptions, bond amounts, charge details, and release dates. All arrest and booking data gets submitted to DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide database. The office also tracks warrants issued and served in the county. Public information requests can be submitted to the Sheriff under the Texas Public Information Act.

The Uvalde County Sheriff works with local police departments, the Texas Rangers, and federal agencies on investigations. The office also keeps records of traffic accidents and civil process services. Ongoing investigation files are protected, but closed case records and general arrest logs are generally available on request.

Texas Statewide Criminal History Search

Uvalde County criminal history data flows into the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History system. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains this database and includes arrests and dispositions from all Texas counties, including Uvalde.

For a search that covers more than just Uvalde County, you can submit a name-based or fingerprint-based request to DPS. Name-based searches are open to the public. Fingerprint searches give a more complete result. The DPS website explains both options and lists current fees.

The re:SearchTX online portal lets you look up case information from district and county courts across the state. This includes Uvalde County cases entered into the system. Basic information is free. You can search by name or case number.

Note: Older records may not appear in online systems. For cases going back before the mid-1990s, in-person requests to the county offices in Uvalde may be needed.

Texas Laws on Criminal Records Access

Access to criminal history records in Uvalde 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) covers public access to government records more broadly, including court files and law enforcement records.

Court records at the District Clerk and County Clerk are generally public. Some records can be sealed by court order. Juvenile records have stricter access rules. Records covered by expunction orders under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 may be destroyed or sealed once a court grants the order.

The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 classifies offenses by severity. Knowing the offense class helps you figure out which court handled the case. Felonies go to the District Clerk, misdemeanors to the County Clerk, and Class C offenses to Justice of the Peace or municipal courts. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division can answer questions about public information rights.

State Prison Records and TDCJ

For Uvalde County residents convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains offender records. TDCJ runs the state prison system and provides an online search tool. You can look up whether someone is currently incarcerated or has previously served time in a TDCJ facility.

County jail records are separate from TDCJ. The Uvalde County Jail holds pretrial detainees and people serving short misdemeanor sentences. Those records stay with the Sheriff's Office. People sentenced to longer terms in state prison are under TDCJ custody.

Texas DPS Crime Records Service

The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service is the central repository for criminal history information across all Texas counties, including Uvalde County. Counties report arrests and dispositions to DPS, which maintains the statewide database used for background checks and official inquiries.

The Texas Association of Counties also provides guidance to county offices on records management and reporting requirements that help maintain accurate criminal history data statewide.

Cities in Uvalde County

Uvalde County includes the city of Uvalde and several smaller communities. All criminal cases from cities and unincorporated areas in Uvalde County go through the county court system in Uvalde.

Nearby Counties

Uvalde County borders several other South Texas counties. If you are unsure which county holds the records you need, check where the incident or case took place.