Access Austin County Criminal Court Records

Austin County criminal court records are held at the courthouse in Bellville, Texas. The District Clerk's office at 1 E. Main Street stores felony case files for the county. You can search Austin County criminal records through the free re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. This page explains which office handles each type of criminal record and how to get copies in Austin County, Texas.

Austin County District Clerk

The Austin County District Clerk is the official custodian of all felony criminal court records in the county. This office files and stores indictments, court orders, plea records, and sentencing documents for cases heard in the 155th Judicial District Court. The office is at 1 E. Main Street in Bellville and is open to the public Monday through Friday.

Records can be requested in person or by mail. Staff can search by defendant name or cause number. For expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, those are filed with the District Clerk in Bellville. Call (979) 865-5911 before visiting to confirm hours and current procedures.

How to Search Austin County Criminal Records

The re:SearchTX portal provides free public access to Austin County criminal case records from the Texas court system. The portal shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and documents filed in district court. It works for cases going back several years and is available 24 hours a day.

Re:SearchTX is operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration. No registration is needed. Enter a last name to see matching cases in Austin County and statewide. You can narrow results by court and case type. The system shows the cause number, charges, and current status. For a complete statewide criminal history check, use the DPS Criminal History name-based search for $3 per inquiry.

In-person records requests can be made at the courthouse in Bellville. Bring a valid ID and the name of the person you are looking for. For mail requests, include the subject's full name, case year if known, and payment for copies. Call the clerk at (979) 865-5911 for details on submitting requests by mail.

Austin County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Austin County are heard in the county court at law. The County Clerk maintains those records. Examples include misdemeanor DWI, assault causing bodily injury, and theft below the felony threshold. Both the District Clerk and County Clerk are located at the courthouse in Bellville, making it easy to check both offices in one visit.

Class C misdemeanors are handled separately at the justice of the peace and municipal court level. Those records are not part of the County Clerk's system. To get a Class C record, you would contact the JP court or city court that handled the case. The combined courthouse number (979) 865-5911 can route you to the right office if you are not sure where to start.

Note: Austin County, Texas is a different place from the city of Austin in Travis County. Make sure you are contacting the right county for your records.

Austin County Arrest Records

The Austin County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and the county jail log. When someone is arrested and booked, a record is created with their name, the charges at booking, date and time of arrest, and bond status. This record is separate from the court case file. Arrest records do not reflect the outcome of court proceedings.

For people in Texas state prison or on parole, the TDCJ offender search is available online for free. The Texas sex offender registry lists registered offenders by name and location across Texas, including those registered in Austin County. Both are public tools maintained by Texas state agencies.

What Austin County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal case files in Austin County follow the standard Texas court record format. The District Clerk holds felony records and the County Clerk holds misdemeanor records. The size of each file depends on how the case was resolved, with trial cases generally having more documents than plea cases.

A typical Austin County criminal case file includes:

• Indictment or criminal information
• Arrest warrant and affidavit
• Bond documents and conditions of release
• Pretrial motions and court orders
• Plea agreement if the case did not go to trial
• Final judgment and sentence
• Probation or supervision terms if ordered

Public access to court records is protected under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile records, sealed files, and expunged cases are not available to the public. Once a record is expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, the clerk and all other agencies are required to destroy or return it.

Fees and Record Access in Austin County

Plain copy fees in Austin County are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee. Payment can be made in person or by money order for mail requests. Online access via re:SearchTX is free. The DPS name-based search costs $3 per inquiry.

Standard court forms including those for expunctions are available at no cost through txcourts.gov. Call the Austin County District Clerk at (979) 865-5911 to confirm current fees before submitting a mail request. Fees can change and it is best to verify in advance.

Legal Help in Austin County

Lone Star Legal Aid serves Central and Southeast Texas including Austin County. They offer free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents and can assist with record-related matters like expunctions. Check their website for current eligibility requirements.

Use the Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory to find licensed attorneys in the Bellville area. Free self-help guides covering criminal records, expunctions, and court processes are at TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas Public Information Act explains your rights when requesting records from Austin County government offices.

Cities in Austin County

Bellville is the county seat of Austin County and the location of all criminal court proceedings for the county. Cases from anywhere in Austin County go through the Bellville courthouse.

Other communities in Austin County include Sealy, Wallis, Cat Spring, and Industry. All criminal cases from these communities are handled through the Austin County courts in Bellville.

Nearby Counties

Austin County is located in Southeast Texas between Houston and the Hill Country. Neighboring counties include Waller County, Grimes County, Washington County, Fayette County, and Colorado County. Each has its own courts and records system.