Search Erath County Criminal Court Records

Erath County criminal court records are kept at the courthouse in Stephenville, the county seat in North Central Texas. The District Clerk handles all felony criminal cases, and the County Clerk maintains records for Class A and B misdemeanor filings. Erath County is home to Tarleton State University, which adds to the county's activity, and the courts handle a steady volume of cases. Records can be searched online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, in person at the Stephenville courthouse, or by written mail request.

Erath County District Clerk

The Erath County District Clerk is the official custodian of all felony criminal records filed in the county. When a grand jury indicts or a felony case is filed, the District Clerk assigns a cause number and opens the permanent case file. All documents, from the initial filing through the final judgment, are stored by this office and are available for public inspection unless sealed or otherwise restricted.

Erath County is served by the 266th Judicial District Court. The court handles both criminal and civil matters. Staff at the District Clerk's office can look up a case by name or cause number and tell you which documents are in the file. They can also confirm whether a case is sealed or if any records are restricted from public access.

Expunction and non-disclosure petitions for Erath County felony records are filed here. Call ahead before visiting, especially for older records that may need to be retrieved from storage.

How to Search Erath County Criminal Records

The free statewide re:SearchTX portal is the best place to start for Erath County criminal records. It covers district court felonies and county court misdemeanors. Search by name or cause number and see the charge, case status, hearing dates, and filed documents. No account is required and the tool is available any time.

The screenshot below is from the Texas Judicial Branch's re:SearchTX system, the central statewide portal for public criminal and civil court record access.

For older records or physical copies not available online, contact the District Clerk by phone or visit in person. For a full Texas-wide criminal history beyond just court records, use the Texas DPS Criminal History portal. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches cost a small fee. Certified reports come through the FAST fingerprint program.

Erath County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and B misdemeanor cases are heard in the Erath County Court and records are kept by the County Clerk. This includes first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, possession of small amounts of certain substances, and theft in lower dollar ranges. The County Clerk's office is at the same Stephenville courthouse as the District Clerk.

The re:SearchTX portal covers county court cases alongside district court filings. If you are not sure whether a case is a felony or a misdemeanor, search by name on re:SearchTX first. That will show you the court type and point you to the right clerk's office for documents and copies.

Class C misdemeanors such as traffic violations and city ordinance violations are handled by the Stephenville Municipal Court or the Erath County Justice of the Peace courts. Those records are kept by the individual courts that heard them, not by the County Clerk.

Arrest Records and Criminal History

The Erath County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in the unincorporated county. The Stephenville Police Department handles arrests within city limits. Both agencies book arrestees into the Erath County jail. Each agency keeps its own booking and incident records.

For a complete Texas criminal history, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal aggregates arrest and conviction data from agencies across the state. Self-searches are free. Third-party requests cost a small fee. Official certified reports go through the FAST fingerprint program.

The Texas Sex Offender Registry allows searches by county and by name. The TDCJ offender search covers anyone who has been in the Texas prison system after a conviction anywhere in Texas.

What Criminal Case Files Include

Erath County criminal case files hold the same types of documents found in courts across Texas. A quick plea produces a short file. A contested trial creates a much larger set. Common items include:

• Grand jury indictment or criminal information
• Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
• Bond documents and release conditions
• Pretrial motions from both defense and prosecution
• Court orders and judge's rulings
• Plea agreement and judicial acceptance
• Final judgment and sentence
• Community supervision or probation terms
• Restitution orders if applicable
• Appellate filings if the case was appealed

Expunged records are removed from public access under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Sealed orders and juvenile files are also restricted. The clerk's office can tell you if a record falls into a restricted category.

Fees and Record Request Process

Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee. Call ahead to estimate page counts for large files before mailing payment. Some case information may be available through re:SearchTX at no per-page charge.

Mail requests go to the Erath County District Clerk at 100 W. Washington Street, Stephenville, TX 76401. Include the defendant's full name, cause number if known, date range, what you need, and payment. Staff will reach out if the amount differs.

Free legal help is available at TexasLawHelp.org for guides on expunctions and non-disclosures. Lone Star Legal Aid may serve qualifying residents. The Texas Bar referral service can connect you with a local criminal defense attorney. Texas court forms are posted at txcourts.gov.

Cities in Erath County

Stephenville is the county seat and the largest city in Erath County. Dublin is another community in the county. No cities in Erath County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All criminal court filings from across the county are handled at the courthouse in Stephenville.

Nearby Counties

Erath County is in North Central Texas, surrounded by several other counties. Find criminal court records for nearby areas at: Palo Pinto County, Parker County, Hood County, Somervell County, Bosque County, Comanche County, Brown County, and Mills County.