Dawson County Criminal Court Records
Dawson County criminal court records are maintained by the District Clerk in Lamesa, Texas. The office at 400 S. 1st Street handles felony case filings from the district court, while the County Clerk manages misdemeanor records in the same courthouse. You can search records online through the re:SearchTX portal for free, visit the Lamesa courthouse in person, or call (806) 872-3778 to ask about a mail request. Staff can locate cases by name or cause number.
Dawson County Overview
Dawson County District Clerk
The Dawson County District Clerk is the correct office for felony criminal records. The clerk at 400 S. 1st Street files indictments, stores case documents, and maintains the official court record for all felony cases heard in the 106th Judicial District Court. The 106th District covers Dawson County and nearby South Plains counties, and the district judge travels a regular circuit. Court sessions in Lamesa are scheduled periodically, so confirm the schedule before visiting if you have a matter pending.
The clerk's office indexes records by defendant name and cause number. For expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, filing is done with the District Clerk. If you are searching for a misdemeanor case, contact the Dawson County Clerk, which is a separate office but in the same courthouse. When in doubt about which office handles a particular record, calling the District Clerk at (806) 872-3778 is a good first step.
| Office | Dawson County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 S. 1st Street Lamesa, TX 79331 |
| Phone | (806) 872-3778 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Dawson County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is a free tool from the Texas Office of Court Administration that covers Dawson County district court filings. No account needed. Search by name or cause number to see charges, case status, filing dates, and what documents have been filed. This is the first place to check for most searches.
The re:SearchTX portal shown here provides access to Dawson County criminal case records as part of its statewide coverage.
If you need a broader check covering multiple Texas counties, the Texas DPS Criminal History Search runs $3 per name. For a result tied definitively to one person, the FAST fingerprint program is the most reliable method. In-person searches at the Lamesa courthouse require a valid photo ID.
Dawson County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and B misdemeanors in Dawson County go through county court. The County Clerk at the Lamesa courthouse handles those filings separately from the District Clerk. Common misdemeanor charges include first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, and theft below the felony threshold. If you need a misdemeanor record, contact the Dawson County Clerk rather than the District Clerk. Both offices are in the same courthouse building, so a single trip covers both if needed.
Class C misdemeanors are handled by the justice of the peace courts in Dawson County's precincts. JP court records are not stored with either the county or district clerk. For Class C matters, contact the JP precinct that handled the case. Lamesa also has a municipal court for city-level offenses. If you are not sure which court handled the matter, the District Clerk can help point you in the right direction.
Dawson County Arrest Records
The Dawson County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and operates the county jail in Lamesa. Booking records are created when someone is processed into the jail. They show the name, booking date, and charges at the time of arrest. Booking records do not tell you what happened in court later. Charges can be dropped, reduced, or resolved by acquittal after the initial arrest.
For state prison records, the TDCJ offender search is free online and covers the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system statewide. The Texas sex offender registry lists registered offenders by name and location across all Texas counties, including Dawson. Both are public and cost nothing. For local jail information, contact the Dawson County Sheriff's Office directly.
What Dawson County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal case files in Dawson County document the entire course of a case from the initial charge through final judgment. The volume of material in a case file depends on how it was resolved and how many motions were filed.
Documents typically found in a Dawson County criminal case file:
- Indictment or criminal information
- Arraignment and plea records
- Bond orders and conditions of release
- Pre-trial motions from both sides
- Court orders and rulings
- Plea agreement if the case resolved without trial
- Judgment and sentence
- Probation or community supervision terms
- Post-conviction filings if any
Most records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Sealed records, juvenile files, and expunged cases are withheld from public access. Ask the clerk whether a specific record is restricted before you make a copy request.
Fees and Access in Dawson County
The Dawson County District Clerk charges $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies carry an additional $5. For mail requests, include a money order payable to the Dawson County District Clerk along with a letter specifying which records you need. Call (806) 872-3778 before sending to confirm fees and availability.
The re:SearchTX portal is free with no login required. The DPS name search is $3. Court forms are free at txcourts.gov. For free legal help in the South Plains area, Lone Star Legal Aid serves eligible low-income residents and can assist with expunctions and related matters. TexasLawHelp.org has self-help guides on criminal records and your rights under the Public Information Act. Use the Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool to search for a licensed attorney in the Lamesa area.
Cities in Dawson County
Lamesa is the county seat and the only city of any significant size in Dawson County. It sits in the South Plains of West Texas. Smaller unincorporated communities exist in the county but do not have their own courts or records offices. All criminal court cases in Dawson County, whether the offense happened in or near Lamesa or in the rural portions of the county, are processed through the Lamesa courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Dawson County is in the South Plains region of West Texas. Neighboring counties include Lubbock County to the north, Lynn County to the east, Terry County to the west, Martin County to the south, Howard County to the southwest, Borden County to the southeast, and Garza County to the northeast. Each county has its own court clerk and records system.