Loving County Criminal Court Records
Loving County criminal court records are maintained at the courthouse in Mentone, Texas. Loving County is the least populous county in the United States, with roughly 64 residents. The District Clerk and County Clerk functions are handled by a combined clerk's office that manages both felony and misdemeanor criminal records. You can search for cases through the statewide re:SearchTX portal or contact the clerk's office directly by phone.
Loving County Overview
Loving County District and County Clerk
The Loving County clerk's office handles both district court and county court records. This is one of the most remote government offices in Texas, located in Mentone, a community so small it lacks a traffic light. The clerk manages criminal case files for any felony and misdemeanor cases that arise within the county. Case volume is very low given the population, but oil and gas activity in the region means cases do come up from time to time.
Loving County is part of the 143rd Judicial District. The county sits in the Permian Basin in far West Texas, along the New Mexico border. Most county business is handled by a very small staff. If you need records from Loving County, a phone call to the office is usually the most direct way to start. In-person visits should be arranged in advance, as the courthouse has limited staff and hours may vary.
| Office | Loving County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 E. Collins Street Mentone, TX 79754 |
| Phone | (432) 377-2601 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call ahead to confirm hours) |
How to Search Loving County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the primary online resource for searching Loving County criminal court cases. It is operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration at no cost. Search by defendant name, cause number, or attorney. Results show the charge, court, key dates, and case status. Given the very low case volume in Loving County, results are rare, but the portal will return what is indexed.
The screenshot below shows the re:SearchTX interface used for all Texas criminal court case searches.
For older records or cases not yet indexed in re:SearchTX, contact the clerk's office at (432) 377-2601. Because the office is so small, direct phone contact often works better here than it might in a larger county. Mail requests should include the defendant's name, cause number if available, a date range, and payment. Allow extra time for mail turnaround to and from this remote location.
The Texas DPS Criminal History portal covers Loving County arrests and dispositions alongside records from the rest of Texas. Self-searches are free.
Misdemeanor Records in Loving County
Class A and B misdemeanor cases filed in Loving County are handled by county court and managed by the same combined clerk's office. Given the extremely small population, misdemeanor case filings are rare. The clerk handles any such cases the same way as felony cases, since both types of records are maintained in the one clerk's office at the Mentone courthouse.
Re:SearchTX covers county court misdemeanor cases alongside district court felony cases. For copies of misdemeanor documents, contact the Loving County clerk directly. The process is the same as for felony records since both functions fall to the same office.
Class C misdemeanor cases, such as traffic violations, go through the Loving County Justice of the Peace court. Those records are held at the JP court level.
Arrest Records and Criminal History
The Loving County Sheriff's Office is essentially the only law enforcement agency in the county. With fewer than 100 residents, the county has one of the lowest crime volumes in the entire state. The sheriff's department handles all county law enforcement. Booking records for arrests in Loving County are available through the sheriff's office.
The Texas DPS Criminal History portal is the most reliable source for criminal history data covering Loving County and all other Texas jurisdictions. Self-searches are free on the DPS website. Third-party searches require a fee. For certified reports, use the FAST fingerprint program.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry can be searched by county to see registered offenders in Loving County. The TDCJ offender search covers individuals who have served or are serving time in Texas state prison.
What You Will Find in a Criminal Case File
A Loving County criminal case file, like those in any Texas county, contains documents created at each stage of the case. Because case volume is low, the clerk maintains these files carefully. Standard documents in a Texas criminal case file include:
- Grand jury indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond paperwork and release conditions
- Pretrial motions and responses from both parties
- Court orders and rulings by the judge
- Plea agreement and acceptance by the court
- Final judgment and sentence
- Community supervision or probation terms
- Restitution orders if a victim suffered financial harm
- Appellate filings if an appeal was taken
Expunged records are removed from public access under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Juvenile files are sealed. The clerk can confirm a record is not available but generally cannot state the reason.
Fees and How to Access Loving County Records
Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an added certification fee. For such a small office, it is worth calling ahead to ask about the easiest way to handle your request. In many cases, the clerk can help you quickly since case volume is low and the staff knows the records well.
Mail requests should be sent to the Loving County District/County Clerk at 105 E. Collins Street, Mentone, TX 79754. Include the defendant's full name, cause number if available, approximate filing year, what you need, and a check or money order. Because Mentone is a remote location, allow extra mail delivery time in both directions.
Free legal information is available at TexasLawHelp.org. The State Bar of Texas referral service can connect you with a licensed attorney. Lone Star Legal Aid may serve qualifying residents in West Texas, though services in this remote area can be limited.
Cities in Loving County
Mentone is the county seat and only incorporated community in Loving County. With a total county population of around 64 people, it holds the distinction of being the least populous county in the United States. There are no qualifying cities for individual city pages. All criminal court records for Loving County are held at the courthouse in Mentone.
Nearby Counties
Loving County is located in far West Texas near the New Mexico border. Find criminal court records in surrounding Texas counties at: Ward County, Winkler County, Reeves County, and Culberson County.