Find Criminal Court Records in Jim Wells County
Jim Wells County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in Alice, Texas. The District Clerk handles felony criminal cases while the County Clerk manages Class A and B misdemeanor records. You can search for Jim Wells County criminal court records using the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse at 200 E. Hubbard Street in Alice, or submit a written request by mail. This guide covers where to look, what the records include, and how to get copies from the right office.
Jim Wells County Overview
Jim Wells County District Clerk
The Jim Wells County District Clerk is responsible for all felony criminal court records in the county. This office files indictments from the grand jury, tracks case progress through the district court, and stores final judgments and sentences. Any felony case charged in Jim Wells County will have a record here. The courthouse is in Alice and open Monday through Friday during regular county hours.
Staff can help you locate cases by defendant name or cause number. The District Clerk also processes post-conviction petitions such as expunctions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. If you believe a record should be expunged or sealed, this is the office where you would start that process. You can reach the District Clerk at the contact information listed below.
| Office | Jim Wells County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 E. Hubbard Street Alice, TX 78332 |
| Phone | (361) 668-5712 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Jim Wells County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best free tool for looking up Jim Wells County criminal cases. It covers district court cases across the state and does not require registration. You can search by person's name, attorney name, or cause number. Results show charges, court dates, and case status.
For a broader statewide criminal history, use the DPS Criminal History search. This name-based search costs a small fee and pulls records from courts across all Texas counties. It is useful when you need more than just the Jim Wells County records. Fingerprint-based searches through the FAST program provide more definitive results when accuracy is critical.
To search in person, visit the courthouse at 200 E. Hubbard Street in Alice. Bring the name of the person you are searching and any case number if you have it. Staff can run the search and provide copies for the standard fee. Mail requests are accepted with payment included.
Jim Wells County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Jim Wells County go through the county court and are stored by the County Clerk. Charges like DWI, simple assault, and theft below the felony threshold fall into this category. The County Clerk's office shares the courthouse building in Alice with the District Clerk.
To get records for a misdemeanor case, contact the Jim Wells County Clerk at (361) 668-5712. Staff can search by name or cause number and tell you what documents are on file. Keep in mind that Class C misdemeanor cases are handled at the justice of the peace level. Those records do not go through the County Clerk and stay with the JP court where the case was heard.
| Office | Jim Wells County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 E. Hubbard Street Alice, TX 78332 |
| Phone | (361) 668-5712 |
Note: Class C misdemeanor records are held by individual justice of the peace courts and are not part of the District or County Clerk records system.
Jim Wells County Arrest Records
The Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county. When someone is booked into the county jail, a record is created that includes the person's name, the charges at booking, and the arrest date. These records are separate from court case files. An arrest record does not tell you what happened in court.
For statewide offender information, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search shows current TDCJ inmates and recently released offenders from across the state. The Texas sex offender registry is a public DPS database showing registered offenders by county or zip code, including those living in Jim Wells County.
The Jim Wells County District Attorney prosecutes felony and major misdemeanor cases in the county. The DA's office works closely with the District Clerk throughout the prosecution process but does not maintain separate public case records.
What Jim Wells County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal court files in Jim Wells County hold several types of documents. The file starts with the charging instrument. For felonies, this is a grand jury indictment. For misdemeanors, the prosecutor files an information. The record grows as the case moves through the court system with each hearing, motion, and order added along the way.
Most criminal case files in Jim Wells County include:
- Indictment or charging information
- Arrest warrant and affidavit
- Bond documents and conditions of release
- Plea agreements or jury trial records
- Judgment and sentence
- Probation or community supervision conditions if ordered
The public can access most of these documents under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile records are sealed by law. Records that have been expunged under Chapter 55 of the Code of Criminal Procedure will not appear in any public search. The expunction process removes the record from all court and agency files.
Fees and Record Access
Copies of criminal court records in Jim Wells County typically cost $1 per page. Certified copies add a certification fee on top of the per-page charge. You can get copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. Mail requests go to either the District Clerk or County Clerk depending on whether the case was a felony or misdemeanor. Always include payment with mail requests.
The re:SearchTX portal is free to use and does not require an account. It provides basic case information for district court cases. Full document copies still require a courthouse visit or written request. The DPS name-based criminal history search is a low-cost option for a broader statewide check.
Note: Call the Jim Wells County District Clerk at (361) 668-5712 to confirm current copy fees before mailing a request.
Legal Resources in Jim Wells County
If you need legal help with a criminal matter in Jim Wells County, Lone Star Legal Aid offers free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents in South Texas. They handle various matters and may be able to assist with expunctions and other record-related issues.
The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory lets you search for licensed criminal defense attorneys in Jim Wells County and nearby areas. For self-help legal guides on criminal records and expunction, visit TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas Attorney General's Public Information Act page explains how to request records from government agencies. The DPS Crime Records Service handles statewide criminal history requests and repository questions.
Cities in Jim Wells County
Alice is the county seat and main city in Jim Wells County. All criminal cases filed in the county are processed through the district and county courts in Alice, regardless of where in the county the alleged offense took place.
Other communities in Jim Wells County include Orange Grove, Premont, and San Diego. None of these have separate court systems. All cases go through the Jim Wells County courts in Alice.
Nearby Counties
Jim Wells County borders several South Texas counties. If you are unsure which county handled a particular case, look at where the offense occurred or where the defendant lived at the time. Neighboring counties include Nueces County, Kleberg County, Brooks County, Duval County, San Patricio County, and Bee County.