Duval County Criminal Court Records
Duval County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in San Diego, Texas. The combined District and County Clerk office handles both felony and misdemeanor criminal case records for the county. You can search Duval County criminal records using the re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse in person, or send a written request to the clerk's office. This guide covers where to search, what records are available, and how to access them.
Duval County Overview
Duval County District and County Clerk
The Duval County District and County Clerk maintains criminal court records for the county. This combined office handles felony cases from the district court and Class A and B misdemeanor cases from the county court. If a criminal case was filed in Duval County, the records are kept here. The office is at the courthouse on E. Gravis Avenue in San Diego.
Staff can search for case files by defendant name or cause number. The 229th Judicial District Court serves Duval County. For people who want to file an expunction petition to clear eligible criminal records under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, this clerk's office is where that process begins. Call ahead to ask what documentation is needed before filing.
| Office | Duval County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 E. Gravis Avenue San Diego, TX 78384 |
| Phone | (361) 279-3322 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Duval County Criminal Records
For most people, the best first step is the free re:SearchTX portal. This statewide court records system covers Duval County district court cases and lets you search by name, cause number, or attorney. No account is needed. You can check charges, case status, and court events from anywhere with internet access.
The Texas Office of Court Administration maintains the re:SearchTX system as a public service. It covers criminal cases filed in district courts throughout Texas including Duval County, making it the easiest way to run a quick records check without going to the courthouse in San Diego.
The image above shows the re:SearchTX portal, where Duval County criminal court records can be searched at no cost. It covers the entire state and includes records from Duval County district court.
For a statewide name-based criminal history check, use the DPS Criminal History Search for $3. This searches all Texas courts. The FAST fingerprint program is the most accurate option for thorough background checks. In-person searches are handled at the courthouse at 400 E. Gravis Avenue in San Diego. Bring the defendant's name and any case number.
Duval County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Duval County are filed with the County Clerk and heard in county court. These cases cover charges like DWI, assault, and theft under the felony threshold. Because Duval County has a combined clerk office, misdemeanor records are managed by the same office and at the same location as felony records in San Diego.
Contact the clerk's office at (361) 279-3322 to ask about a specific misdemeanor case or to request copies. Class C misdemeanors go through the justice of the peace courts and are not part of the combined clerk system. Those records stay with the individual JP court where the case was originally heard.
Note: Confirm the type of case before you contact the clerk so you know whether to ask about district court or county court records.
Duval County Arrest Records
The Duval County Sheriff's Office creates and keeps arrest records for the county. When someone is brought into the county jail, a booking record is made. That record includes the arrest date, the charges at booking, and personal details about the person taken in. Arrest records are separate from court files. Having an arrest record does not mean the person was convicted.
For people currently in TDCJ custody or recently released from state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search is available online. For current Duval County jail information, contact the sheriff's office. The Texas sex offender registry maintained by DPS is a public resource for checking registered offenders in Duval County. The DPS Crime Records Service collects and manages criminal history data from law enforcement and courts across the state.
What Duval County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal case files in Duval County contain the documents created from when charges are filed until the case is closed. Felony cases start with a grand jury indictment. Misdemeanor cases open with a charging information document from the prosecutor. Both types accumulate more records as the case progresses through hearings and court orders.
Most criminal case files in Duval County contain:
- Indictment or charging information
- Arrest warrant and supporting affidavit
- Bond records and conditions of release
- Plea agreement or trial records
- Judgment and sentence
- Community supervision terms if applicable
The public can access most criminal court records. Juvenile cases are sealed. Records expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure are not available to the public. The Texas Government Code Chapter 552 gives residents the right to formally request public records from courts and government agencies in Duval County.
Fees and Record Access in Duval County
Copies of criminal court records in Duval County cost $1 per page. Certified copies include an extra certification fee on top of the per-page cost. You can request copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. Send mail requests to the District and County Clerk at 400 E. Gravis Avenue, San Diego, TX 78384, with payment included.
Basic case information is free on re:SearchTX. Full documents require a courthouse visit or written request. The DPS name-based criminal history search costs $3 for statewide results. Learn about your right to request records through the Texas Public Information Act resources from the Attorney General.
Note: Call (361) 279-3322 to verify current fees before submitting a mail request to the Duval County clerk.
Legal Resources in Duval County
Residents of Duval County who need legal help with a criminal matter can contact Lone Star Legal Aid, which serves South Texas and provides free civil legal services to income-qualified residents. They can help with matters like expunction of criminal records.
The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory lets you search for attorneys licensed to practice in Texas by county and practice area. Self-help guides on expunction, non-disclosure, and criminal records are available at TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas Public Information Act gives you the right to formally request records from the courts and sheriff's office in Duval County.
Cities in Duval County
San Diego serves as the county seat of Duval County and is where the courthouse and all court offices are located. Criminal cases from anywhere in Duval County are handled through the courts in San Diego.
Other communities in Duval County include Freer and Benavides. None of these towns have their own criminal court systems. All felony and misdemeanor cases go through the Duval County courts in San Diego.
Nearby Counties
Duval County is a South Texas county near the border region. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check where the alleged offense took place. Neighboring counties with their own court records include Jim Wells County, Brooks County, Jim Hogg County, Webb County, and Zapata County.