Find Criminal History Records in Val Verde County

Val Verde County criminal history records are held by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in Del Rio, Texas. If you need to look up a criminal case, search an arrest record, or get a certified copy of a court document, this page explains which offices handle those requests and how to access them. The county processes felony cases through the 63rd District Court and misdemeanor cases through the County Court at Law. Most records are open to the public under Texas law.

Val Verde County District Court Records

The District Clerk is the main office for felony criminal records in Val Verde County. This office serves the 63rd District Court and holds all felony case files, including indictments, judgments, sentencing orders, and all documents from felony prosecutions. If someone was charged with a felony in Val Verde County, the case file is at the District Clerk's office in Del Rio.

You can go to the courthouse at 400 Pecan Street in Del Rio during regular business hours. Staff can search by case number or defendant name. Certified copies of court documents are available for fees set by state law. All felony conviction records are kept permanently per state records retention requirements.

The District Clerk sends all felony conviction data to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. This is how Val Verde County data gets entered into the Texas Computerized Criminal History system used for statewide searches.

Misdemeanor Records in Val Verde County

Misdemeanor criminal cases in Val Verde County go through the County Court at Law. The County Clerk keeps all Class A and Class B misdemeanor case files. Those records include criminal complaints, judgments, fines assessed, and community supervision orders. If someone faced a misdemeanor charge in Val Verde County, their file lives with the County Clerk.

Public access to these records follows the Texas Public Information Act. You can request a search by case number or defendant name. Certified copies cost a fee set by Texas law. The County Clerk also maintains Commissioners Court records, which cover county jail operations and local criminal justice budgets.

Note: For Class C misdemeanor cases handled by Justice of the Peace courts, contact the appropriate JP court in Val Verde County directly.

Val Verde County Sheriff Records

The Val Verde County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. They keep arrest records, incident reports, jail booking data, and warrant information. Arrests made in unincorporated parts of Val Verde County are recorded by the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff runs the county jail. Records there include booking photos, physical descriptions, bond amounts, charges, court dates, and release information. All arrest and booking data is sent to DPS Crime Records Service for the statewide database. The office also tracks active and served warrants. Public information requests can be submitted to the Sheriff under the Texas Public Information Act.

The Val Verde County Sheriff works with the Del Rio Police Department, the Texas Rangers, Border Patrol, and other federal agencies. The office maintains records of traffic accidents and civil process services. Closed case files and arrest logs are generally available upon request. Active investigation files are protected.

Texas Statewide Criminal History Search

Val Verde County criminal history data is part of the statewide Texas Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service manages this database and includes arrest and disposition records from all Texas counties.

For a search that covers records beyond just Val Verde County, submit a name-based or fingerprint-based request to DPS. Name searches are open to the public. Fingerprint searches give a more thorough result. The DPS website explains both options and lists fees.

You can also use the re:SearchTX court portal to look up case information from district and county courts statewide, including Val Verde County cases. Basic search results are free. You search by name or case number.

Laws Governing Val Verde County Records

Access to criminal history records in Val Verde County is governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which sets rules on who can access criminal history information and how. The Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552) applies to all government records, including court files and law enforcement records.

Court records at both clerk offices are generally public. A court order can seal specific records. Juvenile records have much stricter access rules. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66, records subject to an expunction order may be sealed or destroyed.

Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 classifies offenses, which tells you which court handled the case and therefore which clerk holds the records. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division provides guidance on your rights to access public records.

TDCJ and State Prison Records

Val Verde County residents convicted of felonies and sent to state prison are tracked by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDCJ operates the state prison system and provides an online offender search. You can look up whether someone is currently housed in a TDCJ facility or served time there previously.

The county jail is separate. The Val Verde County Jail holds pretrial detainees and people serving short misdemeanor sentences. Those records stay with the Sheriff's Office. State-sentenced felons serving longer terms are under TDCJ custody.

Texas Open Records and Criminal History

The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division oversees public information rights in Texas, including access to criminal court records and law enforcement files in Val Verde County and across the state.

If an agency denies your records request, you can request a ruling from the Attorney General's office to determine whether the records must be released under the Public Information Act.

Cities in Val Verde County

Val Verde County includes Del Rio and several smaller communities. All criminal cases from Del Rio and other communities in Val Verde County are handled through the county court system.

Nearby Counties

Val Verde County borders several West and South Texas counties. Check where an incident occurred if you need to determine which county holds the records.