Irion County Criminal Court Records

Irion County criminal court records are kept at the Irion County Courthouse in Mertzon, a small community in west Texas. Like many small counties, Irion uses a combined District and County Clerk office, so one office manages both felony court records and Class A and B misdemeanor files. You can search records online through Texas's free case portal, visit the Mertzon courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. This page details what each method involves and who to contact for each type of case.

Irion County District and County Clerk

The Irion County combined clerk office handles both district court and county court criminal records. Felony cases are filed in the 51st Judicial District Court, which covers Irion County along with Tom Green County. The clerk processes indictments from the grand jury, maintains the criminal docket, and stores all judgments and sentencing documents. Misdemeanor files for Class A and B offenses are also in this same office.

You can request records in person or by mail. Staff search by defendant name or cause number. For expunction petitions filed under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, the petition is filed with the clerk in Mertzon. If the court orders an expunction, the record is removed from public access and all agencies with copies must destroy them. Call ahead if you are making a long drive, since hours may vary around court weeks and holidays.

How to Search Irion County Criminal Records

The re:SearchTX portal is the best free online tool for finding Irion County district court records. The system is run by the Texas Office of Court Administration and covers courts statewide. You can search by defendant name, cause number, or attorney. Results show the charge, filing date, current status, and upcoming hearings. No account or registration is required.

For a statewide name-based criminal history check, the DPS Criminal History Search covers all 254 Texas counties for $3 per name. This is helpful when you do not know which county in Texas holds the record. The FAST fingerprint program provides the most precise match when identity verification is critical.

The Texas Office of Court Administration manages the re:SearchTX portal shown below, which includes Irion County district court criminal case filings.

Because Irion County is small, the clerk's office is also very approachable by phone. Calling (325) 835-2001 before submitting a mail request is a good way to confirm fees and get details on what is on file.

Irion County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Irion County are handled in the county court. Since Irion uses a combined clerk, the same office that holds felony records also stores these misdemeanor files. Common Class A and B cases include first-offense DWI, assault causing bodily injury, and low-level theft.

To request a misdemeanor file, contact the combined clerk office by phone or in person. Give the defendant's name and an approximate filing date. Class C misdemeanor cases, such as traffic citations and minor violations, are heard by the justice of the peace court. Those records are not kept at the main clerk's office and must be requested from the specific JP precinct that handled the case.

Note: Class C misdemeanor records are held at justice of the peace courts, not the combined District/County Clerk.

Irion County Arrest Records

Arrest records for Irion County are created and maintained by the Irion County Sheriff's Office in Mertzon. When someone is booked into the county jail, the sheriff creates a booking record listing the person's name, the charges at booking, and the date. That record is separate from any court case and does not show how the case was resolved. Many arrests do not lead to convictions.

To find a current inmate at the Irion County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. For people serving sentences in Texas state prisons, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search is free online. The DPS sex offender registry lets you search registered offenders by county and address at no charge.

What Irion County Criminal Records Contain

Irion County criminal case files contain the documents produced from the filing of charges through the final outcome. Felony files open with a grand jury indictment. Misdemeanor files start with an information filed by the county attorney. Both types of files grow as hearings, motions, and orders are added.

Items typically included in an Irion County criminal case file:

• Indictment or information stating the charge
• Arrest warrant and affidavit
• Bond conditions and release paperwork
• Pre-trial motions and rulings
• Plea agreement or trial record
• Judgment and sentence
• Probation terms or community supervision conditions

Criminal records in Irion County are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Records that are expunged, sealed, or covered by a non-disclosure order are not available through routine requests. If an agency refuses access to records you believe should be public, the Texas Attorney General's Office handles open records disputes.

Fees and Access in Irion County

Standard copies of criminal court records in Irion County are $1 per page. Certified copies add a $5 fee. You can get copies in person at the Mertzon courthouse or by mailing a written request with payment. Include the defendant's name, cause number if you have it, and whether you want plain or certified copies.

The re:SearchTX portal is free for basic case data and documents already uploaded to the system. The DPS name-based search runs $3 per name. Call the clerk at (325) 835-2001 to confirm fees before sending a mail request with payment.

Legal Resources in Irion County

Lone Star Legal Aid may assist eligible Irion County residents with civil legal matters including expunction. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory lets you search for attorneys by county and practice area. Self-help guides on expunction, non-disclosure, and Texas court access are at TexasLawHelp.org. Official Texas court forms are available at the Texas Courts rules and forms page.

Cities in Irion County

Mertzon is the county seat of Irion County and the only incorporated community with a courthouse. All criminal cases from anywhere in Irion County are filed and heard at the Mertzon courthouse.

The county's population is small, around 1,500 people, and Mertzon is the only incorporated town. All criminal matters for anyone in Irion County go through the courts at 214 W. Main Street in Mertzon.

Nearby Counties

Irion County is in west Texas southwest of San Angelo. Each neighboring county has its own courts and records. Surrounding counties include Tom Green County, Crockett County, Schleicher County, Sutton County, and Reagan County.