McAllen Criminal Court Records
McAllen criminal court records are maintained by Hidalgo County and the City of McAllen depending on the type of case. Felony cases go through the Hidalgo County District Clerk in Edinburg. Misdemeanor cases are handled by the Hidalgo County Clerk. Class C misdemeanors are processed by the McAllen Municipal Court. This page covers each court and how to find records in McAllen.
McAllen Overview
Hidalgo County District Clerk - Felony Records
Felony criminal cases in McAllen are filed with the Hidalgo County District Clerk in Edinburg, the county seat. The Hidalgo County District Clerk's office is at 100 N. Closner Boulevard in Edinburg. When someone is indicted on a felony charge in McAllen, the case is filed in Edinburg and tracked through sentencing and post-conviction proceedings.
The Hidalgo County District Clerk provides online case access through the county website. You can search by name or cause number. The free re:SearchTX portal also covers Hidalgo County felony cases and shows charges, hearing dates, and case status at no cost.
For in-person requests, go to the Hidalgo County District Clerk at 100 N. Closner Boulevard, Edinburg, TX 78539. Staff handle copy requests, certified documents, and expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55.
The re:SearchTX portal covers all Hidalgo County felony cases including those from McAllen and is free to search.
| Office | Hidalgo County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Closner Boulevard Edinburg, TX 78539 |
| Phone | (956) 318-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
McAllen Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in McAllen are handled by Hidalgo County Courts at Law and maintained by the Hidalgo County Clerk. These cases include DWI, assault, and theft below the felony level. You can search misdemeanor cases through the re:SearchTX portal or contact the Hidalgo County Clerk for copies.
Class C misdemeanor cases processed by the McAllen Municipal Court are city records and are separate from the Hidalgo County court system.
McAllen Municipal Court
The McAllen Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor offenses within McAllen city limits. This includes traffic citations, city code violations, and similar low-level offenses. The McAllen Municipal Court is at 1300 Houston Avenue in McAllen.
You can search and pay citations through the McAllen Municipal Court. The court offers deferred disposition for eligible cases. Municipal court records are city records and are separate from Hidalgo County court records.
McAllen Police Department Records
Arrest records and incident reports in McAllen are maintained by the McAllen Police Department. The department handles requests for incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records. You can request records through the McAllen PD website or in person at police headquarters at 1601 N. Bicentennial Boulevard.
Arrest records show what someone was charged with at booking and are separate from court case files. For a statewide criminal history, the Texas Department of Public Safety offers a name-based search for $3. The FAST fingerprint program provides a more precise result. The Texas sex offender registry lists registered offenders in McAllen by zip code.
What McAllen Criminal Records Contain
A felony criminal case file for McAllen offenses includes documents from every stage of the case. Most records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Hidalgo County felony files typically include the indictment, arrest warrant, bond documents, pre-trial motions, plea agreement or trial record, final judgment, and sentence. The Hidalgo County District Clerk holds all of these.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search shows current state prison inmates statewide. For legal help in McAllen, Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool helps locate attorneys. Self-help guides are at TexasLawHelp.org.
Hidalgo County Criminal Court Records
McAllen is in Hidalgo County. All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases filed in McAllen go through the Hidalgo County courts in Edinburg. For full courthouse information, district clerk contact details, and more on the Hidalgo County court system, see the Hidalgo County criminal court records page.