Fayette County Criminal Court Records

Fayette County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in La Grange, the county seat in South Central Texas. The District Clerk handles all felony criminal cases and the County Clerk manages Class A and B misdemeanor files. Fayette County is a rural county between Austin and Houston, and the courts handle a steady volume of cases. Records can be accessed online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, in person in La Grange, or by written mail request.

Fayette County District Clerk

The Fayette County District Clerk is the official record keeper for all felony criminal cases filed in the county. When a grand jury issues an indictment or a felony case is filed, the District Clerk assigns a cause number, opens the permanent file, and tracks the case through the court process. Every document produced along the way, from the indictment to the final judgment, is stored in this office and available for public review unless sealed.

Fayette County is served by the 155th Judicial District Court. The court handles both criminal and civil cases. Staff at the District Clerk's office can look up a case by name or cause number during business hours. For older records, it helps to call ahead so files can be pulled from storage before you arrive.

Expunction and non-disclosure petitions for Fayette County felony records are filed with the District Clerk. The clerk's office can also tell you whether any records in a specific case are sealed or restricted from public access.

How to Search Fayette County Criminal Records

The statewide re:SearchTX portal is the best free tool for Fayette County criminal records. It covers district court felonies and county court misdemeanors. Search by name or cause number to see charges, case status, court dates, and available documents. No account is needed and the tool is always available.

The screenshot below is from the Texas Judicial Branch's re:SearchTX portal, the official statewide online system for accessing public court records including those in Fayette County.

For records not yet in the online system or for physical document copies, contact the District Clerk by phone before visiting. For a full Texas-wide criminal history, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal covers arrest and conviction data statewide. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches require a fee. Certified reports go through the FAST fingerprint program.

Fayette County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Fayette County are heard in the County Court. Records are maintained by the Fayette County Clerk at the same La Grange courthouse. Common charges at this level include first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, possession of small amounts of certain substances, and theft in lower dollar ranges.

The re:SearchTX portal covers county court misdemeanor cases alongside district court felonies. If you are not sure which level a case falls under, a name search on re:SearchTX will show you the court type before you make the call. Misdemeanor expunction and non-disclosure petitions go through the County Clerk.

Class C misdemeanors, including traffic violations, are handled by the La Grange Municipal Court and the Fayette County Justice of the Peace courts. Those records are kept by those courts, not the County Clerk.

Arrest Records and Criminal History

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in the unincorporated county. The La Grange Police Department handles arrests within the city. Both agencies book arrestees into the county jail and maintain their own records.

For a full Texas criminal history, use the Texas DPS Criminal History portal. It pulls data from agencies across the state. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches cost a fee. Official certified reports come from the FAST fingerprint program.

The Texas Sex Offender Registry allows searches by county and name. The TDCJ offender search covers anyone who has been in the Texas prison system following a conviction in Fayette County or elsewhere in Texas.

What Criminal Case Files Include

Fayette County criminal case files follow the standard Texas format. A plea case creates a brief file. A full trial produces many more documents. Common items include:

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

Records expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access. Sealed court orders and juvenile files are also off limits. The clerk can confirm a record's status when you ask.

Fees and How to Request Records

Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an added certification fee. Call the District Clerk before mailing payment to get an estimate for larger files. Mail requests go to the Fayette County District Clerk at 151 N. Washington Street, La Grange, TX 78945. Include the name, cause number if known, date range, what you need, and payment.

Free legal help is available at TexasLawHelp.org for expunction and non-disclosure guidance. Lone Star Legal Aid may serve qualifying residents. The Texas Bar referral service can connect you with a local attorney. Texas court forms are at txcourts.gov.

Cities in Fayette County

La Grange is the county seat and largest city in Fayette County. Schulenburg is another community in the county. No cities in Fayette County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All criminal court filings from across the county are processed at the courthouse in La Grange.

Nearby Counties

Fayette County is in South Central Texas between Austin and Houston. Find criminal court records for surrounding areas at: Austin County, Colorado County, Lavaca County, Gonzales County, Bastrop County, Lee County, and Burleson County.