Falls County Criminal Court Records

Falls County criminal court records are maintained at the courthouse in Marlin, Texas. The District Clerk handles felony criminal cases and the County Clerk maintains records for Class A and B misdemeanor filings. Falls County is a rural county in Central Texas, and the court system manages a relatively modest caseload compared to larger surrounding counties. Records can be searched through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, in person at the Marlin courthouse, or by written mail request.

Falls County District Clerk

The Falls County District Clerk keeps all felony criminal case records filed in the county. When a grand jury returns an indictment or a felony criminal information is filed, the District Clerk assigns a cause number, opens the case file, and stores all documents generated as the case moves through the court. This includes everything from the initial filing to the final judgment.

Falls County is served by the 82nd Judicial District Court, which covers Falls and Robertson counties. The judge rotates between the two counties on a set schedule, but cases filed in Falls County remain in Falls County's records regardless of where the judge is sitting at any given time. Staff at the clerk's office can confirm which documents are in a file and whether anything is sealed.

Expunction and non-disclosure petitions for Falls County felony records are filed with the District Clerk. Call ahead if you are looking for older records, as some files may be in storage and need to be pulled before your visit.

How to Search Falls County Criminal Records

The statewide re:SearchTX portal is the best free option for searching Falls County criminal cases online. It covers both district court felonies and county court misdemeanors. Search by name or cause number and see the charge, court dates, case status, and available documents. No sign-in is required.

The screenshot below is from the Texas Judicial Branch's re:SearchTX system, which provides online access to criminal and civil court records statewide including Falls County.

For older records not in the online system or for physical copies, contact the District Clerk directly before visiting. The Texas DPS Criminal History portal covers arrest and conviction data statewide. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches cost a small fee. Certified reports go through the FAST fingerprint program.

Falls County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and B misdemeanor cases are heard in the Falls County Court. The County Clerk maintains those records at the same Marlin courthouse. Common charges at this level include first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, theft in lower dollar ranges, and possession of small amounts of certain controlled substances.

Because Falls County is small, the clerk's office handles both felony and misdemeanor inquiries and staff are generally familiar with the records on file. The re:SearchTX portal covers county court cases the same way it covers district court filings, so you can use it to confirm whether a case is a felony or a misdemeanor before calling.

Class C misdemeanors go through the Falls County Justice of the Peace courts and the Marlin Municipal Court. Those records are held by those courts, not the County Clerk.

Arrest Records and Criminal History

The Falls County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The Marlin Police Department handles arrests within the city. Both agencies book individuals into the county jail and maintain their own records.

For a full Texas-wide criminal history, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal pulls data from agencies across the state. Self-searches are free. Third-party requests cost a small fee. Certified reports come through the FAST fingerprint program.

The Texas Sex Offender Registry lets you search registered offenders by county and name. The TDCJ offender search covers anyone who has been in the Texas state prison system after a Falls County or other Texas conviction.

What Criminal Case Files Contain

Falls County criminal case files contain the same core documents found in courts across the state. The volume depends on how the case was handled. Standard items include:

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

Expunged records are not publicly accessible under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Sealed court orders and juvenile files are also off limits. Ask the clerk if you are unsure about a specific record's status.

Fees and Requesting Records

Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee. Call the District Clerk to get a page count estimate before sending payment. Mail requests should go to the Falls County District Clerk at 125 S. Main Street, Marlin, TX 76661. Include the defendant's full name, cause number if known, approximate dates, a description of what you need, and payment.

Free legal help is available at TexasLawHelp.org for guides on expunctions and non-disclosures. Lone Star Legal Aid may be able to help qualifying residents in Central Texas. The Texas Bar referral service can connect you with a licensed attorney in the region. Court forms are available at txcourts.gov.

Cities in Falls County

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

Nearby Counties

Falls County is in Central Texas near Waco and the Brazos River valley. Find criminal court records for surrounding areas at: McLennan County, Bell County, Milam County, Robertson County, Limestone County, and Hill County.