Houston County Criminal Court Records
Houston County criminal court records are filed and stored at the courthouse in Crockett, Texas. This is Houston County, a rural East Texas county, which is not the same as the city of Houston. The city of Houston is in Harris County. Houston County criminal records cover felony cases handled by the District Clerk and Class A and B misdemeanor cases held by the County Clerk. Both record types are searchable online through the re:SearchTX portal, or you can contact the Crockett courthouse directly for copies and case information.
Houston County Overview
Houston County District Clerk
The Houston County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal court records for the county. Every document in a felony case, from the grand jury indictment through the final judgment, is filed and stored with this office in Crockett. Cases from Crockett, Grapeland, Lovelady, Kennard, and all other parts of Houston County are processed here. Houston County is served by the 3rd Judicial District Court.
Houston County is a rural, forested county in East Texas. The caseload reflects the rural character of the area and includes drug offenses, property crimes, and assault cases. Because this county is sometimes confused with the city of Houston or Harris County, it is worth confirming you are searching in the right place. If the address in question is in the city of Houston, you need Harris County records, not Houston County records.
Expunction petitions for Houston County felony records are filed with the District Court through this office. The rules and process are in Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Review the statute or consult with an attorney to confirm eligibility before filing.
| Office | Houston County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 E. Houston Avenue Crockett, TX 75835 |
| Phone | (936) 544-3255 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Note | This is Houston County, TX. For city of Houston records, see Harris County. |
How to Search Houston County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the main free online tool for searching Houston County criminal court cases. Search by defendant name or cause number. Results include charge information, case status, court dates, and available documents. Both district court and county court criminal cases are in the statewide system.
When you search on re:SearchTX for "Houston County," make sure the result county field shows Houston County, Texas, and not a case from Harris County or elsewhere. The portal lets you filter by county, which helps avoid confusion. The Texas Office of Court Administration operates re:SearchTX as a public statewide service.
The re:SearchTX portal is the free online gateway to Houston County, Texas criminal case records provided by the Texas Office of Court Administration.
For statewide criminal history beyond individual court case filings, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal pulls together arrest and conviction data from all Texas counties. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches require a fee. Certified fingerprint-based results are available through the FAST program.
Houston County Misdemeanor Court Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Houston County are heard in the County Court and maintained by the Houston County Clerk. Common charges include first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, theft in lower value ranges, and drug possession below the felony threshold. The County Clerk's office is at the same courthouse in Crockett as the District Clerk.
Class C misdemeanor matters are handled by the Justice of the Peace courts for unincorporated Houston County and by municipal courts in Crockett, Grapeland, and Lovelady for city-level violations. Those records are separate from the County Clerk's holdings and are not in re:SearchTX. Contact the JP or municipal court directly for Class C case information.
Arrest Records and Criminal History Sources
The Houston County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated parts of the county and runs the county jail. The Crockett Police Department and agencies in Grapeland and Lovelady also make arrests within their city limits. For recent booking information, the Sheriff's Office is the right first contact.
The Texas DPS Criminal History portal aggregates arrest and conviction data from all Texas agencies, including Houston County agencies. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches require a fee. Certified results are handled through the FAST fingerprint program.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry lists registered sex offenders in Houston County by county or ZIP code. The TDCJ offender search covers persons currently or previously incarcerated in Texas state prison following a Houston County or other Texas conviction.
What Houston County Criminal Case Files Contain
Houston County criminal case files contain all documents generated during a case from charging through final disposition. Files vary in size depending on complexity and outcome. Common documents include:
- Grand jury indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond documents and release conditions
- Pretrial motions and court orders
- Plea agreement if the case resolved by plea
- Trial records for contested cases
- Judgment and sentence
- Community supervision or probation conditions
- Restitution and fine orders
- Appellate filings if applicable
Records expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, sealed files, and juvenile records are not available to the public. If a record is absent from the online system, ask the clerk whether access restrictions apply.
Fees and How to Request Houston County Records
Standard copies from the Houston County District Clerk are $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Reviewing the document list in re:SearchTX first helps you request only what you need rather than an entire case file.
Mail requests to 401 E. Houston Avenue, Crockett, TX 75835 should include the defendant's name, cause number if available, approximate year, documents needed, and a check for the estimated cost. In-person requests at the Crockett courthouse are handled at the counter, typically same-day for standard copy requests.
TexasLawHelp.org has free guides on Texas expunctions and non-disclosures. Lone Star Legal Aid may assist qualifying residents of East Texas with criminal record matters. The Texas Bar referral service can connect you with a licensed criminal defense attorney in the region.
Cities in Houston County
Houston County is a rural East Texas county. Crockett is the county seat and largest community. Grapeland and Lovelady are other incorporated towns in the county. Kennard is another small community. No cities in Houston County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All criminal court records for Houston County addresses are filed in Crockett. If you are looking for records related to the city of Houston, those are in Harris County.
Nearby Counties
Houston County borders several East Texas counties. Criminal court records for nearby areas are filed at: Cherokee County, Nacogdoches County, Trinity County, Madison County, Leon County, and Anderson County.