Search Gonzales County Criminal Court Records
Gonzales County criminal court records are filed and stored at the courthouse in Gonzales, Texas. The District Clerk handles all felony criminal case records and the County Clerk manages Class A and B misdemeanor files. You can look up Gonzales County criminal cases using the free re:SearchTX portal, visit the Gonzales courthouse in person, or mail a written request to the clerk's office. This page explains how to get the records you need and where each type of file is kept.
Gonzales County Overview
Gonzales County District Clerk
The Gonzales County District Clerk keeps all felony criminal court records in the county. This office files grand jury indictments, manages the criminal docket for the 25th Judicial District Court, and stores judgments and sentences once cases are resolved. If a person was charged with a felony in Gonzales County, the court file is held here at 414 St. Joseph Street in Gonzales.
You can search for case files at the counter by providing a defendant name or cause number. Staff handle in-person requests during business hours and process written requests sent by mail. For post-conviction matters, the District Clerk also accepts expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. A granted expunction removes the record from public view and requires all agencies to destroy their copies.
| Office | Gonzales County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 414 St. Joseph Street Gonzales, TX 78629 |
| Phone | (830) 672-2801 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Find Gonzales County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best online starting point for Gonzales County criminal records. This free statewide system from the Texas Office of Court Administration covers district court records across all Texas counties. You can search by name, cause number, or attorney and see charges, case status, and hearing dates without visiting the courthouse.
The re:SearchTX portal pictured above is the official Texas statewide court system for public record lookups and includes Gonzales County district court cases.
For a statewide criminal background check, the DPS Criminal History Search costs $3 per name. This pulls records from courts across the state, not just Gonzales County. The FAST fingerprint program provides the most thorough result when identity confirmation matters. In-person records access is available at the Gonzales courthouse at 414 St. Joseph Street during regular business hours.
Gonzales County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Gonzales County go through the County Court and are stored by the County Clerk. Common offenses at this level include DWI, theft, and assault charges that fall below the felony line. The County Clerk is in the same courthouse building in Gonzales as the District Clerk, which makes it easy to visit both offices in the same trip if needed.
Contact the County Clerk to ask about a specific misdemeanor case. They can search by name or cause number and tell you what is on file. Class C misdemeanor cases are handled at the justice of the peace level and are not stored with the County Clerk. Those records are at the individual JP court that heard the case.
| Office | Gonzales County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 414 St. Joseph Street Gonzales, TX 78629 |
| Phone | (830) 672-2801 |
Note: Class C misdemeanor records are held by individual justice of the peace courts and are not available from the County Clerk or District Clerk offices.
Gonzales County Arrest Records
The Gonzales County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county. When someone is booked at the county jail, the sheriff creates a record that lists the person's name, charges at booking, and date of arrest. This record exists separately from any court case. The arrest record shows what happened at the time of booking, not how the case ended in court. An arrest does not equal a conviction.
For current Gonzales County jail inmates, call the Sheriff's Office directly. For Texas state prison inmates, use the TDCJ offender search. The DPS sex offender registry is a free public database listing registered offenders by county and address. Both are available online without any fee.
What Gonzales County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal case files in Gonzales County include documents that change depending on how the case resolved. Simple plea cases have fewer documents. Cases that went to trial or involved contested motions will have thicker files. Every case starts with the charging instrument, which is a grand jury indictment for felonies or an information for misdemeanors.
Documents you will often find in a Gonzales County criminal case file:
- Indictment or information charging the offense
- Arrest warrant and affidavit
- Bond order and conditions of release
- Plea agreement or jury trial records
- Judgment and sentence
- Community supervision terms if probation was ordered
The public can access most criminal court records under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Exceptions include juvenile records, certain sealed files, and cases where the court has ordered expunction under Chapter 55. The Texas Attorney General oversees the Public Information Act and can provide guidance if an agency denies your request.
Record Fees and Access in Gonzales County
Copies of criminal court records in Gonzales County are $1 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $5 certification fee. You can get records in person at the courthouse or by mailing a written request with payment included to the clerk's office at 414 St. Joseph Street in Gonzales.
The re:SearchTX portal is free and does not require an account for basic case lookups. The DPS name-based criminal history search is $3. See the DPS Crime Records Service page for all available search types and costs.
Note: Call the Gonzales County District Clerk at (830) 672-2801 to confirm the current copy fee schedule before mailing a request.
Legal Resources in Gonzales County
Lone Star Legal Aid serves low-income Texans in South Texas including Gonzales County. They may assist with criminal record matters like expunction petitions and non-disclosure orders. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool lets you locate licensed attorneys by location and practice area.
Free self-help guides on expunction, criminal records, and how the court process works in Texas are available at TexasLawHelp.org. Everything is written in plain language. You can also file open records requests with the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office under the Texas Public Information Act.
Cities in Gonzales County
Gonzales is the county seat and the location of all district and county courts in Gonzales County. All criminal cases from anywhere in the county are processed through the Gonzales courthouse.
Other communities in Gonzales County include Nixon, Smiley, Cuero-area communities, and Shiner. None of these have separate criminal court systems. All cases are handled at the Gonzales County courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Gonzales County is in South Central Texas. If you need to determine which county filed a particular case, check where the offense took place. Adjacent counties with their own court records include Guadalupe County, Caldwell County, Lavaca County, DeWitt County, and Wilson County.