Access Knox County Criminal Court Records

Knox County criminal court records are held at the courthouse in Benjamin, a small seat of government in north-central Texas. The county combines its District and County Clerk functions into one office, making it straightforward to request both felony and misdemeanor records from the same location. All criminal case files in Knox County are public records under Texas law. You can access them in person at the Benjamin courthouse, request them by phone or mail, or search recent filings online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal.

Knox County District and County Clerk

The Knox County clerk's office at 107 S. Stewart Street in Benjamin handles both District Clerk and County Clerk functions. Felony criminal case files from the district court and misdemeanor records from the county court are both kept here. Anyone can request these records in person, by phone, or by mail during regular business hours.

Knox County is served by the 50th Judicial District, which also covers King, Cottle, and Foard Counties. Felony cases tried in that court result in a file maintained by the District Clerk function of the combined Knox County office. That file includes the indictment, arraignment records, bond conditions, motions from both sides, any plea agreement, the final judgment, and sentencing details. The clerk searches by name or cause number.

Details about the District Clerk's current records holdings and services are on the Knox County District Clerk page.

How to Search Knox County Criminal Records

The re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration covers district and county court cases statewide, including Knox County. It is free to use and requires no account. You can search by defendant name or cause number and get back charges, case status, and hearing dates. For most people, this is the easiest starting point, especially if you are not near Benjamin.

The re:SearchTX court records portal gives free public access to Knox County criminal case data without requiring a trip to the Benjamin courthouse.

For statewide criminal history data that includes arrest records beyond just court filings, use the Texas DPS Criminal History portal. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches carry a small fee. For searches requiring certified results, the FAST fingerprint program through DPS provides that level of verification. In-person visits to the Benjamin courthouse are welcome during regular hours.

Misdemeanor Cases in Knox County

Class A and B misdemeanor cases go through the Knox County Court, and the combined clerk's office in Benjamin keeps those records. Charges at this level include DWI first offense, assault causing bodily injury, and theft in lower value ranges. With a small population, the Knox County misdemeanor docket stays light, and the clerk can usually locate a case quickly from a name and approximate date.

Misdemeanor records are requested the same way as felony records. In person is fastest. Mail requests are also accepted. Include the defendant's name, approximate time frame, a description of what you need, and payment for copies at $1 per page. Class C misdemeanors are heard in Justice of the Peace courts and are not part of the combined District/County Clerk's holdings. Contact the local JP court for Class C matters.

Arrest Records and Statewide Sources

Arrests in Knox County are handled by the Knox County Sheriff's Office. Booking records and jail logs are kept by the Sheriff and are separate from the court records maintained by the clerk. An arrest record shows what was alleged at the time of booking. Whether charges were filed in court and how the case ended is documented in the clerk's case files.

The Knox County District Attorney handles felony prosecutions in the county. Information about the DA's office and jurisdiction is available on the Knox County District Attorney page.

The Texas DPS Criminal History portal pulls together arrest and conviction data from across Texas, including Knox County. The Texas Sex Offender Registry allows county-level searches. The TDCJ offender search covers anyone in or released from Texas state corrections facilities.

What Knox County Case Files Contain

A criminal case file from the Knox County clerk includes documents from each stage of the court process. Typical documents found in these files include:

• Indictment or criminal information with the stated charge
• Arrest warrant and supporting affidavit
• Bond paperwork and conditions of pretrial release
• Defense and prosecution motions
• Court orders ruling on those motions
• Plea agreement or trial record
• Final judgment and sentence
• Probation or community supervision terms if ordered
• Appeal filings if the case was challenged

Sealed documents are not accessible. Juvenile records are confidential by law. Cases expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 will not appear in public searches. Ask the clerk if you believe a record should exist but cannot find it.

Fees and How to Request Records

Standard copy fees at the Knox County clerk's office are $1 per page under Texas law. Certified copies include an additional certification fee. Mail requests should include the defendant's full name, approximate filing year, a description of the records needed, and a check or money order payable to the Knox County Clerk. If additional payment is needed for more pages than expected, the clerk will contact you first.

For free guidance on Texas criminal records, expunctions, or non-disclosures, visit TexasLawHelp.org. Lone Star Legal Aid may serve the north-central Texas region. For a referral to a licensed attorney, use the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service. Standard court forms are available through the Texas Courts rules and forms page.

Cities in Knox County

Knox County has two main communities: Benjamin, the county seat, and Munday, a small city in the western part of the county. Neither reaches the threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site. All criminal court records for Knox County are filed at the courthouse in Benjamin regardless of where in the county a case arose.

Nearby Counties

Knox County is in north-central Texas. Criminal court records for surrounding areas are available at: Baylor County, Haskell County, King County, Foard County, and Wilbarger County.