Jeff Davis County Criminal Court Records
Jeff Davis County criminal court records are kept at the courthouse in Fort Davis, one of the most remote county seats in Texas, sitting at the base of the Davis Mountains in the far west part of the state. Like many small west Texas counties, Jeff Davis uses a combined District and County Clerk office, so one office handles both felony records and Class A and B misdemeanor files. You can search records online through the state's free portal, visit the Fort Davis courthouse in person, or send a written request by mail. This page covers your options and explains who to contact.
Jeff Davis County Overview
Jeff Davis County District and County Clerk
The Jeff Davis County combined clerk office handles both district court and county court criminal records. Felony cases are filed in the 394th Judicial District Court, which also covers Brewster, Hudspeth, and Presidio counties. This means the same district court judge hears felony cases in multiple counties across this large stretch of west Texas. The clerk in Fort Davis manages the local docket, processes indictments, and keeps all judgments and sentencing orders.
Misdemeanor records for Class A and B offenses are in the same combined clerk office. You can visit in person or submit a mail request. Staff search records by defendant name or cause number. For an expunction petition under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, the petition is filed here in Fort Davis. When the court orders an expunction, the record is removed from public access and all agencies holding copies are ordered to destroy them. Call before making the drive, since hours can be affected by court weeks and travel schedules for the district judge.
| Office | Jeff Davis County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Court Avenue Fort Davis, TX 79734 |
| Phone | (432) 426-3251 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Jeff Davis County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration is the best free online option for Jeff Davis County district court records. It covers courts statewide and lets you search by defendant name, cause number, or attorney. You can see charges, case status, and hearing dates without creating an account.
The DPS Criminal History Search runs a statewide name check for $3 per name and covers all 254 Texas counties. This is helpful when you are searching someone who may have cases in multiple counties. The FAST fingerprint program is the most reliable method when accurate identity matching is required.
The Texas Office of Court Administration maintains re:SearchTX, shown below, which provides free public access to Jeff Davis County district court criminal filings along with courts across the state.
Because Fort Davis is a long drive from most major cities, calling the clerk at (432) 426-3251 before visiting is strongly recommended. Staff can tell you whether a record is available and give you instructions for submitting a request by mail.
Jeff Davis County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Jeff Davis County are handled in county court. Because of the combined clerk structure, the same office that maintains felony records also stores these misdemeanor files. Common cases at this level include first-offense DWI, low-level assault, and theft cases below the felony threshold.
To request a misdemeanor file, contact the combined clerk office by phone or in person with the defendant's name or cause number. Class C misdemeanors are heard by justice of the peace courts, and those records are not at the combined clerk's office. You would need to contact the specific JP precinct that handled the case.
| Office | Jeff Davis County Clerk (combined with District Clerk) |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Court Avenue Fort Davis, TX 79734 |
| Phone | (432) 426-3251 |
Note: Class C misdemeanor records are at justice of the peace courts, not the combined District/County Clerk.
Jeff Davis County Arrest Records
Arrest records in Jeff Davis County come from the Sheriff's Office in Fort Davis. When someone is booked into the county jail, the sheriff creates a booking record with the name, the charges at booking, and the date of arrest. That record is separate from any court case that may follow. An arrest does not mean someone was convicted or even formally charged in court.
To check on a current Jeff Davis County jail inmate, contact the Sheriff's Office. For people serving sentences in Texas state prisons, the free Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search is available online. The DPS sex offender registry allows searches by county and address at no cost.
What Jeff Davis County Criminal Records Contain
Jeff Davis County criminal case files hold documents produced from the filing of charges through the case's final disposition. Felony files open with a grand jury indictment. Misdemeanor files begin with an information from the county attorney. Both types grow as motions and orders are added.
Common items in a Jeff Davis County criminal case file:
- Indictment or information stating the charge
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond documents and conditions of release
- Motions and court orders from pre-trial proceedings
- Plea agreement or trial record
- Judgment and sentence
- Probation terms if community supervision was ordered
Criminal records in Jeff Davis County are generally public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Expunged cases, juvenile records, and records under seal are not available through normal public requests. The Texas Attorney General's Office handles open records complaints when access is improperly denied.
Fees and Record Access in Jeff Davis County
Standard copies of criminal court records in Jeff Davis County cost $1 per page. Certified copies add a $5 fee. You can get copies in person at the Fort Davis courthouse or by mailing a written request with payment. Include the defendant's name, the cause number if you have it, and whether you want plain or certified copies.
The re:SearchTX portal is free for case data already in the system. The DPS statewide search is $3 per name. Call (432) 426-3251 to verify the current fee schedule before mailing a payment.
Legal Resources in Jeff Davis County
Lone Star Legal Aid may assist qualifying Jeff Davis County residents with civil legal matters including expunctions. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool lets you search for attorneys by county and area of law. Free guides on expunction, non-disclosure, and court access are at TexasLawHelp.org. Official court forms are available at the Texas Courts rules and forms page.
Cities in Jeff Davis County
Fort Davis is the county seat of Jeff Davis County and the only incorporated community with a courthouse. All criminal cases from anywhere in the county are filed and heard at the Fort Davis courthouse.
The county is extremely rural with a population under 2,200 people. Fort Davis is the only incorporated city. All criminal matters for residents anywhere in Jeff Davis County go through the courts at 100 Court Avenue in Fort Davis.
Nearby Counties
Jeff Davis County is in far west Texas in the Davis Mountains region. Each neighboring county maintains its own criminal court records. Surrounding counties include Presidio County, Brewster County, Reeves County, Culberson County, and Hudspeth County.