Bee County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Bee County, Texas are kept at the courthouse in Beeville. Felony cases go through the District Clerk's office while Class A and B misdemeanor records are managed by the County Clerk. Both offices are open to the public and can assist with record requests in person, by mail, or by phone. You can also search Bee County criminal case records online using the free statewide re:SearchTX system. This page covers each access method and explains what you will find in a typical criminal case file.
Bee County Overview
Bee County District Clerk
The Bee County District Clerk is the official custodian of felony criminal court records for the county. Every felony case that comes through the district court generates a set of documents that this office stores and makes available to the public. That includes the grand jury indictment, pretrial motions, hearing records, plea agreements, jury trial records where applicable, and the final judgment.
Bee County is served by the 36th Judicial District Court. Cases involving felony drug charges, violent crimes, and other serious offenses are tried in this court. The District Clerk's office is open during normal business hours and staff can help locate case files by defendant name or cause number. Certified copies are available for an added fee when needed for legal purposes.
Petitions to expunge a Bee County criminal record are filed with the District Clerk. If you were arrested but not convicted, or if you received a deferred adjudication and have completed your waiting period, you may qualify for expunction or a non-disclosure order under Texas law. The clerk's office can tell you how to file but cannot provide legal advice on whether you qualify.
| Office | Bee County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 W. Corpus Christi Street Beeville, TX 78102 |
| Phone | (361) 362-3225 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Bee County Criminal Cases
The easiest way to start is the re:SearchTX portal, the free statewide court records system managed by the Texas Office of Court Administration. You can search Bee County criminal cases by defendant name, cause number, or attorney name. The portal shows charges, case status, court events, and any electronically filed documents. It covers both district and county court cases.
The re:SearchTX portal offers free public access to Bee County criminal case records alongside court data from every other Texas county.
If you need more than the case summary shown online, you will need to contact the District Clerk directly for document copies. For a full statewide criminal history, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal is more complete. It pulls arrest data and dispositions from across the state, not just Bee County. Self-searches are free. Third-party name-based searches carry a small fee.
Misdemeanor Records in Bee County
Class A and B misdemeanor charges in Bee County are filed in the County Court and records are held by the Bee County Clerk. Common misdemeanor charges at this level include first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, theft under certain dollar thresholds, and some drug possession cases. If you are searching for a misdemeanor case, the County Clerk is the right office.
The County Clerk's office is also located at the Beeville courthouse. You can visit in person or call to ask about a specific case. The re:SearchTX portal covers county court criminal records as well, so an online name search may give you the cause number and court information you need before you call or visit.
Class C misdemeanors, such as traffic violations and minor city ordinance offenses, are handled by Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts. The Bee County JP court handles these cases, and those records are separate from what the County Clerk maintains. For a Class C case, contact the JP court that heard it.
Arrests, Jail Records, and Criminal History
The Bee County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The Sheriff maintains arrest and booking records that are separate from the court files. An arrest log entry shows when someone was booked, the charge listed at intake, and bail information. Arrest records do not show case outcomes. For dispositions, you need to check court records or the DPS criminal history database.
The Texas DPS criminal history system is the most thorough public source for Bee County and statewide criminal history data. Individuals can search their own history for free. Third-party searches are name-based and require payment. Employers and agencies that need certified background reports can use the FAST fingerprint program for more reliable results.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry shows registered offenders in Bee County by name, offense, and address. The TDCJ offender search covers people currently or formerly incarcerated in the Texas prison system and shows their offense, unit, and release information.
Contents of a Bee County Criminal Case File
What you find in a criminal case file depends on how the case progressed. A case that resolved with a plea deal has fewer documents than one that went to a jury trial. Generally you will find some or all of the following in a Bee County criminal file:
- Grand jury indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond and conditions of release
- Pretrial motions and court rulings
- Plea agreement and court acceptance
- Judgment and sentence
- Terms of probation or community supervision
- Restitution orders if applicable
- Records of any appeal filed
Sealed records and juvenile cases are not available to the public. If a record has been expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, it will not show up in any public search. When a record does not appear where you expect it, the clerk may be able to tell you whether it exists but is restricted.
Fees and Record Request Process
Copies from the Bee County District Clerk cost $1 per page under the standard Texas fee schedule. Certified copies carry an extra certification fee. If you need many pages, call ahead to estimate the cost before mailing a check. Underpaying will delay your request because the office will hold the copies until the balance is paid.
Mail requests should include: the full name of the defendant, the cause number if you have it, the approximate date range, a description of what you need, and a check or money order for the estimated amount. Keep the request focused on what you actually need to keep costs reasonable.
The Texas Courts forms page has standard forms for record requests and expunction filings. For free legal guidance, TexasLawHelp.org covers rights under the Texas Public Information Act and has plain-language guides on expunctions. Lone Star Legal Aid serves clients in South Texas and may be able to help with qualifying matters.
Cities in Bee County
Bee County is located in South Texas between San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Beeville is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Other communities include Skidmore, Pawnee, and Normanna. None of these communities meet the population threshold required for a dedicated city records page. All criminal court records for the county are filed and maintained at the Beeville courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Bee County neighbors several other South Texas counties. Criminal court records for those areas can be found at: Live Oak County, San Patricio County, Refugio County, Karnes County, and Goliad County.