Johnson County Criminal Court Records
Johnson County criminal court records are maintained at the courthouse in Cleburne, Texas. The District Clerk handles felony criminal cases and the County Clerk manages Class A and B misdemeanor records. You can search Johnson County criminal court records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse in person at 2 N. Main Street in Cleburne, or submit a written request by mail. This guide covers the key offices, how to search, and what the records contain.
Johnson County Overview
Johnson County District Clerk
The Johnson County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal records for the county. Indictments, case filings, hearing records, judgments, and sentences all go through this office. If you need a felony case file from Johnson County, this is where you start. The office is in Cleburne and handles requests from the public during normal business hours.
Staff can search by defendant name or cause number. The District Clerk also processes petitions for expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Johnson County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and sees a significant volume of criminal cases each year across the district court. The Johnson County District Clerk website may have additional information on online services.
| Office | Johnson County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 N. Main Street Cleburne, TX 76033 |
| Phone | (817) 556-6280 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Johnson County Criminal Records
Start with the re:SearchTX portal for free access to Johnson County criminal cases. The statewide system covers district court records including felony charges. Search by name, cause number, or attorney. You do not need an account to use the portal.
For a broader statewide criminal history, the DPS Criminal History search pulls records from courts across Texas. This name-based search is useful when a case may have been filed in a county other than Johnson. The DPS search costs a small fee per query.
In-person searches are done at the courthouse in Cleburne. Bring the name of the person and any cause number you have. Staff can look up the case and provide copies for the standard fee. For mail requests, write to the District Clerk or County Clerk at 2 N. Main Street, Cleburne, TX 76033 and include payment with your request.
Johnson County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Johnson County are handled by the county court system and maintained by the County Clerk. DWI, assault, and theft under the felony threshold are common misdemeanor charges. The County Clerk's office is located in the Cleburne courthouse alongside the District Clerk.
To request misdemeanor case records, contact the Johnson County Clerk at (817) 556-6280. They can search by name or cause number. Class C misdemeanor cases stay at the justice of the peace courts and are not part of the County Clerk system. If you need a Class C record, contact the JP court where the case was heard.
| Office | Johnson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 N. Main Street Cleburne, TX 76033 |
| Phone | (817) 556-6280 |
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.
Johnson County Arrest Records
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county. Each time someone is booked into the county jail, the sheriff's office creates a record that includes the name, charges at booking, and date of arrest. Arrest records are separate from court case files and do not show case outcomes.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search shows current TDCJ inmates from across the state. For people in the Johnson County jail specifically, contact the Sheriff's Office. The Texas sex offender registry is searchable by county and shows registered offenders in Johnson County. The Johnson County District Attorney handles felony prosecution in the county.
What Johnson County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal court files in Johnson County include documents that track the case from start to finish. The first document is the charging instrument. For felony cases, this is an indictment returned by a grand jury. For misdemeanors, the prosecutor files an information. From there, additional documents are added at each stage of the case.
Most criminal case files in Johnson County include:
- Indictment or information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond paperwork and any release conditions
- Plea agreements or jury trial transcripts
- Final judgment and sentence
- Probation or deferred adjudication terms if ordered
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most court records are open to the public. Juvenile records are sealed. Records expunged under Chapter 55 of the Code of Criminal Procedure are removed from public access entirely. The expunction process wipes the record from courts and agency files after an order is granted.
Fees and Record Access
Criminal court records in Johnson County cost $1 per page to copy. Certified copies carry an added certification fee. You can request copies at the courthouse counter or by mail. Include payment when mailing requests to either the District Clerk or County Clerk. The office you contact depends on whether the case was a felony or misdemeanor.
The re:SearchTX portal is free and does not require registration. It gives you case-level information for district court records. Certified copies or full document sets require either a courthouse visit or a mail request. The DPS name-based criminal history search is available online for a small fee.
Note: Confirm current fees with the Johnson County District Clerk at (817) 556-6280 before sending a mail request.
Legal Resources in Johnson County
Several resources are available for people who need help with criminal records or court matters in Johnson County. Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in North Texas including Johnson County. They handle expunction and other family and civil matters.
Use the Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool to locate a licensed attorney in Johnson County. For self-help guides on expunction, non-disclosure, and navigating court records, visit TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas Public Information Act overview at the Attorney General's office explains your rights to request government records. The DPS Crime Records Service handles statewide criminal history matters.
Cities in Johnson County
Cleburne is the county seat and largest city in Johnson County. All criminal cases filed in the county are processed through the district and county courts in Cleburne.
Other communities in Johnson County include Burleson, Joshua, Alvarado, Keene, and Crowley. Criminal cases from all these communities go through the Johnson County courts in Cleburne.
Nearby Counties
Johnson County is located south of Fort Worth. If you are not sure which county holds a record, check where the offense occurred or where the person lived. Neighboring counties include Tarrant County, Ellis County, Hill County, Bosque County, Erath County, Somervell County, and Hood County.