Find Criminal Court Records in Culberson County
Culberson County criminal court records are held by the combined District and County Clerk in Van Horn, Texas. The office at 300 La Caverna Street manages both felony and misdemeanor case files for the county, which is one of the largest and most remote in West Texas. You can search records online through the re:SearchTX portal, visit the clerk's office in person in Van Horn, or call (432) 283-2058 to ask about requesting records by mail. Staff can help locate cases by name or cause number.
Culberson County Overview
Culberson County District and County Clerk
Culberson County uses a combined clerk structure where a single office handles both district court and county court records. The clerk at 300 La Caverna Street in Van Horn is the one office you need for all criminal court records in the county. Culberson County falls within the 394th Judicial District. That court covers a large geographic area, and the judge operates on a circuit schedule. It is always worth calling ahead before visiting to confirm when the office is fully staffed and when court sessions are scheduled.
The combined clerk files indictments, processes bond paperwork, stores case files, and handles post-conviction filings including expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Culberson County sits along Interstate 10 between El Paso and Midland, and cases related to traffic stops and drug interdiction on that corridor do come through this court. The clerk can search the case index by name or cause number for both current and older records.
| Office | Culberson County District/County Clerk (Combined) |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 La Caverna Street Van Horn, TX 79855 |
| Phone | (432) 283-2058 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Culberson County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best way to search Culberson County criminal court records remotely. The Texas Office of Court Administration runs this free tool. You do not need an account. Search by full or partial name, or use a cause number if you have it. Results include charge information, case status, hearing dates, and documents on file.
The re:SearchTX interface shown here includes Culberson County cases as part of its statewide coverage. It is updated regularly and is free to use.
The Texas DPS Criminal History Search runs $3 per name and covers courts statewide. This can be helpful if you are not sure which county in West Texas a case was filed in. The FAST fingerprint program is the most reliable option when you need to match a record to a specific individual. To search in person, visit the Van Horn courthouse with a valid photo ID.
Culberson County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Culberson County are handled in the county court, and because the county uses a combined clerk, those records are stored at the same office as felony records. You do not have to visit two different offices. Common Class A and B charges include first-offense DWI, simple assault, and theft below the felony threshold. The combined clerk at (432) 283-2058 can pull those records the same way it accesses felony filings.
Class C misdemeanors are handled separately. Those fine-only offenses go through the justice of the peace courts in Culberson County's precincts. JP records are not stored with the combined clerk. If you need a Class C matter, contact the JP precinct that handled the case. For cases arising from incidents on Interstate 10, which JP precinct was involved can sometimes be determined by the location of the stop or incident.
Culberson County Arrest Records
The Culberson County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in this large, remote county and operates the county jail in Van Horn. Booking records are generated when someone is arrested and processed into the jail. These records show the name, charges at booking, and date of arrest. An arrest record does not reflect the outcome of any court case. People are arrested, and charges are sometimes changed, dropped, or result in acquittal after the fact.
The TDCJ offender search is a free tool for finding people in Texas state prison or on state supervision. The Texas sex offender registry covers all registered offenders statewide and can be searched by name or county. Both are publicly available at no cost. For current jail information, contact the Culberson County Sheriff's Office directly.
What Culberson County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal case files in Culberson County include every document generated during a case from first filing to final order. The volume of records depends on how contested the case was.
Common documents in a Culberson County criminal case file:
- Grand jury indictment or criminal information
- Arraignment and plea documents
- Bond orders and conditions
- Pre-trial motions from both sides
- Court orders and rulings
- Plea agreement if the case resolved by plea
- Judgment and sentence
- Probation conditions if applicable
- Post-conviction motions if any
Most of these are public records under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Sealed records, juvenile files, and expunged cases are not available to the public. Ask the clerk whether a specific record is restricted before submitting a copy request.
Fees and Access in Culberson County
Copy fees at the Culberson County combined clerk are $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies carry an additional $5 certification charge. Mail requests should include a money order payable to the Culberson County Clerk and a letter specifying which records you need. Call (432) 283-2058 before sending to confirm the fee and availability.
The re:SearchTX portal is free. No login needed. The DPS name search is $3. Court forms are free at txcourts.gov. For legal assistance, Lone Star Legal Aid serves Far West Texas residents with limited income. TexasLawHelp.org has plain-language guides on criminal records and expunctions. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory can help you locate a licensed attorney who handles criminal matters in the area.
Cities in Culberson County
Van Horn is the county seat and the only incorporated city in Culberson County. It sits along Interstate 10 at the eastern edge of the Trans-Pecos region. The county is vast and largely empty outside of Van Horn. All criminal court filings for Culberson County are handled at the Van Horn courthouse, regardless of where in the county the offense occurred.
Nearby Counties
Culberson County is in Far West Texas. Neighboring counties include El Paso County to the northwest, Hudspeth County to the west, Jeff Davis County to the south, Reeves County to the east, and Presidio County to the southeast. Each county has its own court clerk and records system.