Lee County Criminal Court Records

Lee County criminal court records are kept at the courthouse in Giddings, Texas. The District Clerk holds felony case files while the County Clerk manages misdemeanor records. If you need to look up a criminal case in Lee County, the statewide re:SearchTX portal is a good starting point, or you can contact the offices directly in Giddings. This guide covers how to find records, which office handles each type of case, and what to expect when you request documents.

Lee County District Clerk

The Lee County District Clerk is the official custodian of all felony criminal court records in the county. This office files charging instruments from grand jury indictments, tracks case progress through the district court, and stores final judgments and sentences. If someone faced a felony charge in Lee County, their court file is here. The office sits inside the courthouse at 200 S. Main Street in Giddings and serves the public during normal weekday hours.

Staff can search case files by defendant name or cause number. You can visit in person or send a written mail request with payment included. The District Clerk manages the criminal docket for the 21st Judicial District Court. Expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are also filed and processed through this office.

The statewide re:SearchTX portal provides free online access to Lee County district court criminal case information. You can search by name or cause number without visiting the courthouse.

The image above shows the Texas judicial branch and re:SearchTX system used to access Lee County criminal court records online.

How to Search Lee County Criminal Records

The re:SearchTX portal is the easiest way to look up criminal cases from Lee County district court. It is free and does not need an account. You can search by party name, cause number, or attorney. Results show case status, charges, and hearing dates.

For a broader statewide criminal history check, the Texas Department of Public Safety runs a name-based search at DPS Criminal History Search. This costs $3 and pulls records from courts across Texas. It is useful when you need to check history beyond Lee County alone. For something more thorough and definitive, a fingerprint-based search through DPS returns more complete results.

You can also walk in to the courthouse at 200 S. Main Street in Giddings. Bring the full name of the person you are searching and any case number you already have. Clerks can pull case files and make copies for the standard per-page fee. Mail requests work too but take more time. Send a written request with payment to the District Clerk or County Clerk depending on the case type.

Note: Online case data through re:SearchTX may not include all older records. Contact the District Clerk directly for cases filed before the electronic system was in use.

Lee County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Lee County go through the County Court and are stored by the Lee County Clerk. Common misdemeanor charges include DWI, assault, theft, and similar offenses that fall below the felony threshold. The County Clerk's office is in the same courthouse building as the District Clerk in Giddings.

To get misdemeanor records, contact the County Clerk's office. They can search by name or cause number and tell you what documents are on file. Class C misdemeanor cases are handled at the justice of the peace level and are not stored with the County Clerk. Those records stay with the specific JP court where the case was heard in Lee County.

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 in Lee County.

Lee County Arrest Records

The Lee County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records for the county. When someone is booked into the county jail, the sheriff creates an arrest record showing who was taken into custody, the listed charges at booking, and the date of arrest. This is different from a court case file. An arrest record does not show how the case ended in court.

For current Lee County jail inmates or recent bookings, contact the sheriff's office directly. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search covers TDCJ inmates and recently released offenders statewide. The Texas sex offender registry, which is maintained by DPS, is a public resource for registered offenders living in Lee County.

The Lee County District Attorney prosecutes all felony cases filed in the county. If you need information about a specific prosecution or want to know the status of a case, the DA's office can sometimes help point you in the right direction.

What Lee County Criminal Records Contain

A criminal court file in Lee County can hold many documents depending on how far the case went. At the beginning, you have the charging instrument. For felonies that is a grand jury indictment. For misdemeanors it is a formal information. The file grows from there as the case moves through the courts.

Most criminal case files in Lee County include:

• Indictment or charging information
• Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
• Bond documents and release conditions
• Plea agreements or trial records
• Judgment and sentence
• Probation terms if applicable

Most of these documents are public record. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act gives Texans the right to request government records, including court documents. Some records are sealed. Juvenile cases are closed to the public. Certain mental health evaluations and sealed plea agreements may also be restricted.

Expunged records are removed from the public file. Once a court orders an expunction under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, agencies must destroy or return the records. Not every arrest qualifies. Cases that ended in conviction generally do not qualify for expunction.

Fees and Record Access in Lee County

Copies of criminal court records in Lee County cost $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies carry an extra $5 certification fee on top of the per-page cost. You can get copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. Mail requests go to the District Clerk or County Clerk depending on the case type, and you need to include payment with your request.

Online access through re:SearchTX is free for basic case information. No account is needed to search. Full document copies may still require a courthouse visit or written request. The DPS name-based search costs $3 for a statewide check. The DPS Crime Records Service has more information about what is available and how to request it.

Note: Call the Lee County District Clerk at (979) 542-3684 before sending a mail request to confirm current fees and payment methods.

Legal Resources for Lee County

If you need legal help with a criminal matter in Lee County, a few resources are available. Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income Texans in Central and South Texas. They can assist with matters like expunctions and record-related issues for people who qualify based on income.

The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool helps you find licensed attorneys by area and practice type. For self-help legal guides on topics like criminal records and expunction, TexasLawHelp.org has free resources. The Texas Public Information Act outlines your right to request records from government offices including the Lee County courts and sheriff's office.

Cities in Lee County

Giddings is the county seat of Lee County and home to the courthouse where all criminal cases are processed. It is the largest city in the county. All criminal cases filed anywhere in Lee County go through the district and county courts located in Giddings.

Other communities in Lee County include Lexington, Giddings, and smaller rural areas. None have separate criminal court systems. All cases, whether from the far edges of the county or within city limits, are handled through the Lee County courts in Giddings.

Nearby Counties

Lee County sits in Central Texas and borders several other counties. If you are unsure which county handled a criminal case, check where the offense occurred. Neighboring counties with their own court records include Bastrop County, Fayette County, Caldwell County, Burleson County, Milam County, and Williamson County.