Search Kenedy County Criminal Court Records
Kenedy County criminal court records are filed and kept at the courthouse in Sarita, Texas, one of the most rural and sparsely populated counties in the entire state. The District and County Clerk functions operate out of the same office, which handles both felony and misdemeanor case files. Despite the small population, all court records from Kenedy County are public under Texas law and are available to anyone who requests them in person, by phone, or by mail.
Kenedy County Overview
Kenedy County District and County Clerk
The Kenedy County clerk's office handles both district court and county court records from one combined office in Sarita. Felony case files, misdemeanor records, and related court documents are all kept here. Because this is one of Texas's smallest counties by population, the clerk's office staff is small, and it is generally a good idea to call before you visit to make sure someone will be available to assist with your request.
Kenedy County falls under the 79th Judicial District. Felony criminal cases are tried in district court, and the clerk holds all resulting documents: indictments, arraignment records, motions, plea paperwork, judgments, and sentencing orders. These are open public records. The combined nature of the office means that misdemeanor county court records are kept in the same location, which simplifies things when you are looking for multiple case types at once.
The Kenedy County District Clerk office page provides current contact details and information about available records and services.
Staff at this office can look up cases by name or cause number and will let you know what documents are on file before you make the trip to Sarita.
| Office | Kenedy County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 108 N. Mallory Street Sarita, TX 78385 |
| Phone | (361) 294-5220 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Kenedy County Clerk page covers county court-level records including misdemeanor cases and other county court filings.
How to Access Kenedy County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the first and easiest place to look for Kenedy County criminal court cases. This free statewide system is run by the Texas Office of Court Administration and covers district and county court cases from counties across Texas, including Kenedy. You can search by defendant name or cause number and get back charge details, hearing dates, and current case status without any account or fee.
The Texas Office of Court Administration provides free public access through the re:SearchTX portal, covering Kenedy County court filings and case status.
In-person access at the Sarita courthouse is another option. Because Kenedy County is very remote, call ahead before making the trip to confirm that the file you need is available and that staff will be present. For statewide criminal history that goes beyond court records, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal covers arrests and dispositions from agencies across Texas. If a certified result is needed, the FAST fingerprint program through DPS provides that.
Misdemeanor Cases in Kenedy County
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Kenedy County are handled at the county court level, with records kept by the same combined clerk's office in Sarita. Common charges at this level include DWI first offense, assault causing bodily injury, and theft in lower dollar ranges. Because the county has such a small population, the misdemeanor docket is very light compared to most Texas counties.
The process for requesting misdemeanor records is the same as for felony records. You can call the clerk's office, visit in person, or mail a request. Staff can search by name or by approximate filing date. If you are not sure of the exact cause number, giving the defendant's name and a general time frame is usually enough to locate the file. Class C misdemeanors, which include traffic violations and minor offenses, are heard in the Justice of the Peace court and are not kept by the District or County Clerk.
Arrest Records and Related Sources
Arrests in Kenedy County are handled by the Kenedy County Sheriff's Office, which is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Information about the Sheriff's Office, including how to contact it for booking records, is available on the Kenedy County Sheriff's Office page.
Booking records held by the Sheriff show when someone was taken into custody and what charge was alleged. Whether charges were formally filed in court and how the case resolved is a separate question, answered by the clerk's records. The Texas DPS Criminal History portal pulls together arrest and disposition data from across the state. The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by county and shows any registered offenders in Kenedy County. The TDCJ offender search covers people held in or released from Texas state prison.
The Kenedy County District Attorney handles prosecutions in the county. The Kenedy County District Attorney page provides contact and jurisdictional information.
What Criminal Case Files Include
A criminal case file from the Kenedy County clerk will generally contain several types of documents depending on how the case progressed. Common items found in these files include:
- Indictment or criminal information stating the formal charge
- Probable cause affidavit attached to the arrest warrant
- Bond paperwork and any conditions of release set by the court
- Pretrial motions filed by defense counsel and the prosecution
- Orders from the judge ruling on those motions
- Plea agreement or jury trial record
- Final judgment document and sentence
- Probation or community supervision terms if applicable
- Any appeal filings if the case was challenged after conviction
Sealed records are not accessible to the public. Juvenile records are confidential by statute. Cases expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 will not appear in public searches. If you think a record should exist but cannot find it, contact the clerk's office directly.
Fees and How to Request Records
Copy fees in Texas are set by state law at $1 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more due to the certification fee. Mail requests to the Kenedy County clerk's office should include the defendant's full name, an approximate filing date, a description of the documents needed, and a check or money order for payment. Because office staffing is limited, calling ahead is strongly recommended before sending a mail request or making the drive to Sarita.
The Texas Courts forms page lists standard court forms used statewide, including those relevant to criminal proceedings. If you need help understanding your own criminal record or pursuing an expunction, TexasLawHelp.org has free guides. Lone Star Legal Aid serves South Texas and may be able to help with qualifying cases. For direct legal representation, the State Bar of Texas referral service connects you with licensed attorneys in your area.
Cities in Kenedy County
Kenedy County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, with a total population of around 400 people. There are no incorporated cities that meet the threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. Sarita is the county seat and serves as the central point for all county government functions, including the courthouse where criminal records are filed and kept.
Nearby Counties
Kenedy County is located in deep South Texas along the Gulf Coast corridor. Criminal court records for surrounding areas are available at: Jim Wells County, Brooks County, Willacy County, and Kleberg County.