Search Coryell County Criminal Court Records
Coryell County criminal court records are kept by the District Clerk in Gatesville, Texas. The clerk's office files felony cases from the district court and maintains those records from the initial charging document through final judgment. Misdemeanor cases go through a separate County Court at Law process also managed locally. You can search records online through the free re:SearchTX portal, visit the Gatesville courthouse in person, or request records by mail. Staff at (254) 865-5911 can help you locate a case by name or case number.
Coryell County Overview
Coryell County District Clerk
The Coryell County District Clerk operates out of the courthouse on East Main Street in Gatesville. This office handles all felony criminal case filings in the 52nd Judicial District Court, which serves Coryell County. Felony charges range from drug possession and assault cases up through murder and major theft offenses. Every document filed in those cases, from the indictment to the final sentence, is stored with the District Clerk.
Coryell County is worth noting because it has a significant correctional presence. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates several units near Gatesville, and related court matters may generate filings in Coryell County courts. The District Clerk handles those records alongside standard criminal filings. For expunction petitions filed under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, the same District Clerk office is the correct place to file.
| Office | Coryell County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 620 E. Main Street Gatesville, TX 76528 |
| Phone | (254) 865-5911 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Coryell County Criminal Records
The best free tool for searching Coryell County criminal records online is the re:SearchTX portal run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. You can search by defendant name or cause number and get back case status, charge information, filing dates, and hearing history. The search is free, requires no account, and works for both current and older cases.
The re:SearchTX portal covers district court filings in Coryell County along with courts across the state. The screenshot below shows the search interface.
The Texas DPS Criminal History Search is a name-based statewide tool that costs $3 per search. It pulls from courts across Texas and is useful when you are not sure which county a case was filed in. For searches that must be tied to a specific individual with certainty, the FAST fingerprint program provides definitive results. In-person searches at the Gatesville courthouse require a valid photo ID.
Coryell County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Coryell County are heard in the County Court at Law. These include charges like first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, and theft below the felony threshold. The County Clerk in Gatesville handles filings for that court and maintains misdemeanor case files separately from the District Clerk's felony records.
Class C misdemeanors are the lowest level and are handled by justice of the peace courts and municipal courts rather than the County Court at Law. JP courts in Coryell County handle traffic tickets, small fine-only offenses, and civil matters at the precinct level. If you need a Class C record, contact the specific JP precinct or the Gatesville Municipal Court that handled the case.
If you are not sure which court handled a case you are looking for, call the District Clerk at (254) 865-5911. They can help point you to the right office based on the type of charge and when it was filed.
Coryell County Arrest Records
The Coryell County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and operates the county jail in Gatesville. Booking records are created when someone is brought into the jail. Those records show name, charges at booking, and booking date. They are separate from court filings. An arrest record does not tell you what happened in court, whether charges were filed, or whether the person was convicted.
The TDCJ offender search is a free online tool for finding people who are or were incarcerated in Texas state prison. Given the number of TDCJ units near Gatesville, this tool can be particularly relevant for Coryell County-related searches. The Texas sex offender registry covers all registered offenders by name and location statewide, including Coryell County. Both resources are free and available 24 hours a day.
What Coryell County Criminal Records Contain
A criminal case file in Coryell County grows from the initial charging document all the way through appeals and post-conviction orders. The size of the file depends on how complex the case was and how long it took to resolve. Simple plea cases may have fewer documents. Contested trials generate much larger files.
Common documents in a Coryell County criminal case file include:
- Grand jury indictment or information
- Arraignment documents and plea entries
- Bond setting orders
- Pre-trial motions and responses
- Orders from the judge ruling on motions
- Trial transcripts if the case went to trial
- Plea agreement documents
- Judgment and sentence
- Probation or community supervision terms
- Post-conviction filings such as motions for new trial or expunction petitions
Records are generally public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Sealed files, juvenile records, and expunged cases are withheld from public access. Ask the clerk before making a copy request if you are not sure whether a specific record is restricted.
Fees and Access in Coryell County
Standard copy fees at the Coryell County District Clerk are $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies carry an additional $5 certification fee. If you need a certified copy for use in another legal proceeding, factor in both charges. Mail requests should include a money order made out to the Coryell County District Clerk. Call (254) 865-5911 to confirm the current fee schedule before sending anything.
The re:SearchTX portal is free. No registration is needed. The DPS name search runs $3 per query. Court forms are available at no cost through txcourts.gov. For free legal help, Lone Star Legal Aid serves Central Texas residents who meet income requirements. TexasLawHelp.org has free written guides on criminal records, expunctions, and your rights under the Public Information Act. Find a local attorney through the Texas Bar's lawyer directory.
Cities in Coryell County
Gatesville is the county seat and serves as the center of county government and court activity. Copperas Cove is the largest city in Coryell County and sits near Fort Cavazos, the large U.S. Army base. Other communities include Copperas Cove, Oglesby, McGregor (partly in McLennan County), and Evant. Killeen is sometimes associated with the area but is located in neighboring Bell County. Criminal court cases from anywhere in Coryell County are filed at the Gatesville courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Coryell County is in Central Texas south of Waco. Neighboring counties with their own court systems include Bell County to the south and east, Lampasas County to the southwest, Hamilton County to the west, Bosque County to the north, and McLennan County to the northeast. Each county maintains its own clerk office and court records independently.