Howard County Criminal Court Records
Howard County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in Big Spring, Texas. The District Clerk handles all felony case files, while the County Clerk is responsible for Class A and B misdemeanor records. Howard County sits in West Texas along Interstate 20, and its criminal docket reflects both local offenses and highway-related cases. You can search Howard County criminal records online through the re:SearchTX portal, or you can contact the Big Spring courthouse directly to request documents and case information.
Howard County Overview
Howard County District Clerk
The Howard County District Clerk is the official keeper of all felony criminal court records in the county. Every document in a felony case, from indictment through final judgment and any appeals, is filed and stored with this office. Cases from Big Spring, Coahoma, and all other parts of Howard County are processed here. Howard County is served by the 118th Judicial District Court, which handles all felony criminal matters for the county.
Howard County's location on I-20 between Midland-Odessa and Abilene means the district court sees a steady stream of traffic-related felonies alongside local drug offenses, property crimes, and assault cases. The District Clerk's office maintains records for all of these. Most filings are accessible through re:SearchTX for anyone who wants to check case status or view documents online.
Expunction petitions for Howard County felony records are filed with the District Court through this office. Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs expunction eligibility and process. Not every dismissed charge or acquittal qualifies, so review the statute or speak with an attorney before filing.
| Office | Howard County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 S. Main Street Big Spring, TX 79720 |
| Phone | (432) 264-2232 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Howard County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the main free online resource for Howard County criminal court cases. Search by defendant name or cause number. Results include charge details, case status, scheduled court dates, and documents. District court felony cases and county court misdemeanor cases for Howard County are both in the statewide system.
The Texas Office of Court Administration operates re:SearchTX as a public statewide portal. Howard County case data is part of the feed and updates as the clerk processes activity in each case. This is the fastest way to check basic case information before calling or visiting the courthouse.
The re:SearchTX portal is the free online gateway to Howard County criminal case records operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration.
For a statewide criminal history search beyond individual court filings, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal compiles arrest and conviction data from all Texas counties. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches require a fee. Certified fingerprint-based results are obtained through the FAST program.
Howard County Misdemeanor Court Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Howard County are filed in the County Court at Law and maintained by the Howard County Clerk. Common charges include first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, criminal trespass, and drug possession below the felony threshold. The County Clerk's office is at the Big Spring courthouse. Re:SearchTX covers county court criminal cases, so you can search both record levels in one search.
Class C misdemeanor matters are handled by Justice of the Peace courts for unincorporated Howard County and by the Big Spring municipal court for city violations. Those records are separate from the County Clerk's holdings and are not in re:SearchTX. Contact the relevant court directly for Class C case information.
Arrest Records and Criminal History Sources
The Howard County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated parts of the county and runs the county jail. The Big Spring Police Department also makes arrests in the city. The Howard County Jail in Big Spring processes bookings from multiple agencies. For recent arrest and booking information, the Sheriff's Office is the right first contact.
The Texas DPS Criminal History portal compiles statewide arrest and disposition data from all Texas agencies. Self-searches are free. Third-party name-based searches require payment. Certified fingerprint results for official purposes are obtained through the FAST program.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry lists registered sex offenders in Howard County by name, offense, and location. The TDCJ offender search covers persons currently or previously incarcerated in Texas state prison following a Howard County or any other Texas conviction.
What Howard County Criminal Case Files Contain
Howard County criminal case files hold all the documents generated from charging through final disposition. File size varies based on case complexity and how the case ended. Typical contents include:
- Grand jury indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond documents and conditions of release
- Pretrial motions filed by both sides
- Court orders on pretrial matters
- Plea agreement if the case resolved by plea
- Trial records for contested cases
- Final judgment and sentence
- Community supervision or probation terms
- Restitution and fine orders
- Appellate filings if the case was appealed
Records expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, sealed records, and juvenile files are not open to the public. If a record does not appear in a search, ask the clerk whether an access restriction applies.
Fees and How to Request Howard County Records
Standard copy fees at the Howard County District Clerk are $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. For large case files, reviewing the document list in re:SearchTX first helps you request only the specific documents you need.
Mail requests to 300 S. Main Street, Big Spring, TX 79720 should include the defendant's name, cause number if available, approximate year, which documents you want, and a check or money order for the estimated amount. In-person requests at the Big Spring courthouse are handled at the counter and are typically processed the same day for straightforward requests.
TexasLawHelp.org provides free guides on Texas expunctions and non-disclosures. Lone Star Legal Aid may assist qualifying West Texas residents with criminal record matters. The Texas Bar referral service connects you with licensed criminal defense attorneys who handle Howard County cases.
Cities in Howard County
Howard County includes Big Spring as the county seat and primary city. Coahoma is another incorporated community in the county. Howard County is a West Texas county along I-20 between Midland-Odessa and Abilene. No cities in Howard County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All criminal court records for Howard County addresses are filed at the courthouse in Big Spring.
Nearby Counties
Howard County borders several West Texas counties. Criminal court records for nearby areas are filed at: Mitchell County, Dawson County, Martin County, Glasscock County, Sterling County, and Borden County.