Frio County Criminal Court Records
Frio County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in Pearsall, Texas. The District Clerk keeps felony case files while the County Clerk handles Class A and B misdemeanor records. You can search Frio County criminal cases through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the Pearsall courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. This guide covers where to find records, what they contain, and how to get copies from the right office in Frio County.
Frio County Overview
Frio County District Clerk
The Frio County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal court records for the county. This office files indictments, tracks case progress through the district court, and stores judgments and sentences. If someone was charged with a felony offense in Frio County, the record is held here. The office is located at the courthouse on East San Antonio Street in Pearsall and is open to the public during normal business hours.
Staff can help you find case files by defendant name or cause number. In-person requests are handled at the front counter. The District Clerk manages the criminal docket for the 218th Judicial District Court, which covers Frio County. For post-conviction matters like expunctions, this office also files and processes those petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Expunction removes a record from public access when the case meets the required conditions under state law.
| Office | Frio County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 E. San Antonio Street Pearsall, TX 78061 |
| Phone | (830) 334-2114 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Frio County Criminal Records
The best starting point for most people is the re:SearchTX portal, which is free and covers district court criminal cases across Texas including Frio County. You can search by name, cause number, or attorney. The portal shows case status, charges, and court events without requiring a trip to Pearsall.
The Texas judicial branch built re:SearchTX to give the public a single place to look up court records statewide. For Frio County felony cases, it pulls directly from the district court docket. You can see hearing dates, case status, and key filings. The system does not require you to create an account. Just go to the site and enter a name or cause number.
The image above shows the re:SearchTX portal, which the Texas Office of Court Administration operates as a free public resource for searching court records across the state.
For a statewide criminal history report, the Texas DPS Criminal History Search offers a name-based check for $3. This covers courts across Texas, not just Frio County. It is useful when you need a broader look at someone's record. For more accurate fingerprint-based results, the FAST fingerprint program provides a definitive response. To search in person, go to the courthouse at 500 E. San Antonio Street in Pearsall with the name of the person you are looking for.
Frio County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Frio County go through the County Court and are stored by the County Clerk. These cases include charges like assault, theft under certain dollar amounts, and DWI. The County Clerk's office is in the same courthouse building in Pearsall as the District Clerk.
To get misdemeanor records from Frio County, contact the County Clerk directly. They can search by name or cause number and tell you what documents are on file. Class C misdemeanors are a separate matter. Those cases are handled at the justice of the peace level, and the records stay with the JP court where the case was filed. JP courts in Frio County operate independently of the county and district clerk offices.
| Office | Frio County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 E. San Antonio Street Pearsall, TX 78061 |
| Phone | (830) 334-2214 |
Note: Class C misdemeanor records are kept by individual justice of the peace courts and are not part of the County Clerk or District Clerk records systems.
Frio County Arrest Records
Arrest records for Frio County are kept by the Frio County Sheriff's Office. When someone is booked into the county jail, the sheriff creates an arrest record with the person's name, charges listed at booking, and date of arrest. That booking record is separate from the court case file. An arrest record shows only what happened at booking. It does not show the outcome of the case or whether charges were filed.
To find out if someone is currently in the Frio County jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. For state prison inmates, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search covers current TDCJ inmates and recently released offenders. The Texas sex offender registry, maintained by DPS, is also a public resource for registered offenders living in or near Frio County. These registries update regularly and are free to search online.
What Frio County Criminal Records Contain
A criminal court file in Frio County can hold many documents depending on how far the case went. At the start, you have the charging instrument. For felonies, that is an indictment issued by a grand jury. For misdemeanors, it is an information filed by the prosecutor. From there, the file grows as the case moves through the system.
Most criminal case files in Frio County include:
- Indictment or charging information
- Arrest warrant and supporting affidavit
- Bond documents and conditions of release
- Plea agreements or jury trial records
- Judgment and sentence of the court
- Probation or community supervision terms if ordered
The public can access most documents in a criminal court file. Some records are sealed, such as juvenile cases and certain mental health evaluations ordered by the court. Expunged records are removed from public access entirely. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Texas Public Information Act gives residents the right to request and receive government records, including court documents. The Texas Attorney General's Public Information Act guide explains how to use that right.
If a record has been expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, it will not show up in public searches. Agencies must destroy or return covered records per court order. Not every arrest or case qualifies for expunction, so each situation is different.
Fees and Record Access in Frio County
Copies of criminal court records in Frio County cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5 certification fee on top of the per-page cost. You can request copies in person at the Pearsall courthouse or by sending a written request by mail. Mail requests should go to either the District Clerk or County Clerk depending on the type of case, and you should include payment with the request.
Online access through re:SearchTX is free for basic case information. No account is needed to search. Full documents may still need a courthouse visit or written request. The DPS name-based search costs $3 and covers courts across the state. The DPS Crime Records Service page has more detail on all available search options.
Note: Call the Frio County District Clerk at (830) 334-2114 to confirm current copy fees before sending a mail request.
Legal Resources in Frio County
People who need legal help with a criminal matter in Frio County have a few options. Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income Texans and may be able to help with record-related issues like expunctions or non-disclosures. Their service area covers South Texas including Frio County.
The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool lets you search for licensed attorneys by practice area and location. For self-help information, TexasLawHelp.org has plain-language guides on criminal records, expunction eligibility, and how to file petitions on your own. The Texas Public Information Act also gives you the right to request records from government agencies including the Frio County Sheriff's Office.
Cities in Frio County
Frio County's main city is Pearsall, which serves as the county seat and is home to the district and county courts. All criminal cases in Frio County are processed through the courts in Pearsall, regardless of where in the county the offense occurred.
Other communities in Frio County include Dilley, Moore, and Bigfoot. None of these communities have separate court systems. All cases go through the Frio County courts in Pearsall.
Nearby Counties
Frio County borders several South Texas counties. If you are not sure which county handled a case, look at where the offense took place or where the defendant lived at the time. Neighboring counties with their own court records include Zavala County, Dimmit County, La Salle County, McMullen County, Atascosa County, and Medina County.