La Salle County Criminal Court Records
La Salle County criminal court records are filed and kept at the courthouse in Cotulla, the county seat in South Texas along the Interstate 35 corridor. The District Clerk's office handles felony case files from district court proceedings, and the County Clerk maintains misdemeanor records. Both offices operate at the La Salle County Courthouse on Courthouse Square. All criminal court records in the county are public records under Texas law and can be requested by anyone through in-person visits, phone calls, or written mail requests.
La Salle County Overview
La Salle County District Clerk
The La Salle County District Clerk maintains felony criminal case files from district court proceedings in the county. La Salle County is served by the 81st Judicial District. All felony cases tried in that court generate a file at the District Clerk's office in Cotulla. These documents include the indictment or criminal information, arraignment records, pretrial motions, plea agreements or trial records, the final judgment, and sentencing details. These are public records.
La Salle County sits along a busy stretch of I-35, and its location near the border means the county can see cases related to a wide range of criminal activity. The clerk's office handles all of this through the standard public records process. Staff can search by name or cause number. Walk-in visits are welcome during regular hours, and mail requests are accepted with proper documentation and payment.
If you are looking for an older case file, calling ahead gives the clerk's office time to pull the records and confirm availability before you make the trip to Cotulla.
| Office | La Salle County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 Courthouse Square Cotulla, TX 78014 |
| Phone | (830) 879-3031 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Access La Salle County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration is a free statewide system covering La Salle County district and county court cases. No account is required. Enter a defendant name or cause number to get charge details, case status, and hearing history. This is the most convenient first step, particularly for anyone outside Cotulla who wants to check whether a case exists before making a formal request.
The Texas Office of Court Administration provides free public access through the re:SearchTX portal, covering La Salle County court filings alongside records from all 254 Texas counties.
For statewide criminal history data beyond court records, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal covers arrests and dispositions from agencies across Texas. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches carry a small fee. The FAST fingerprint program handles certified results. In-person visits to the Cotulla courthouse are welcome during business hours.
Misdemeanor Cases in La Salle County
Class A and B misdemeanor cases go through the county court in La Salle County, and the County Clerk maintains those files. This level of offense includes charges like DWI first offense, assault causing bodily injury, and theft in lower dollar ranges. Misdemeanor records are public and follow the same general request process as felony records.
The County Clerk's office is at the same courthouse complex in Cotulla. You can request misdemeanor records in person, by mail, or by phone. Provide the defendant's name and an approximate time frame for the filing if you do not have a cause number. Staff can search from that information and let you know what is on file. Class C misdemeanors are handled by Justice of the Peace courts in the county and are kept separately from the District and County Clerk offices. Contact the local JP court for any Class C matter.
Arrest Records and Statewide Sources
Arrests in La Salle County are handled by the La Salle County Sheriff's Office, and within Cotulla by the Cotulla Police Department. Booking records and jail logs are maintained by the Sheriff and are separate from the court records held by the clerk. An arrest record captures what occurred at booking; the court record documents what happened from that point forward in the criminal process.
The Texas DPS Criminal History portal combines arrest and disposition data from agencies across Texas and is the best tool for a statewide view. The Texas Sex Offender Registry can be searched by county for registered offenders in La Salle County. The TDCJ offender search covers current and former Texas state inmates, showing their offense and current status.
What La Salle County Case Files Include
Criminal case files from the La Salle County clerk include the documents generated throughout the court process. Common items in these files include:
- Indictment or criminal information with the stated charge
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond paperwork and conditions of pretrial release
- Defense and prosecution pretrial motions
- Court orders ruling on those motions
- Plea agreement or full trial record
- Final judgment and sentencing order
- Community supervision terms if probation was ordered
- Appeal records if the case was contested after conviction
Sealed documents are not available 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 believe a record should exist but cannot locate it, contact the clerk's office directly.
Fees and Record Requests
Standard copy fees at the La Salle County clerk's offices are $1 per page under Texas law. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Mail requests should include the defendant's full name, approximate filing year, a description of the documents needed, and a check or money order made out to the La Salle County District Clerk or County Clerk depending on the case type. Staff will contact you if additional payment is needed to cover the full number of pages in the file.
For free help understanding Texas criminal records or pursuing an expunction, TexasLawHelp.org has plain-language guides written for the public. Lone Star Legal Aid serves South Texas and may be able to help with qualifying cases. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service can connect you with a licensed attorney who handles criminal matters in the La Salle County area.
Cities in La Salle County
Cotulla is the county seat and the largest incorporated community in La Salle County. Its population is well below the threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site. All criminal court records for the county are filed at the courthouse in Cotulla, regardless of where within the county the incident occurred.
Nearby Counties
La Salle County is in South Texas along the I-35 corridor between Laredo and San Antonio. Criminal court records for surrounding areas are available at: Webb County, Zavala County, Frio County, McMullen County, and Dimmit County.