Martin County Criminal Court Records
Martin County criminal court records are kept by the District Clerk in Stanton, Texas. This office handles felony case files as well as county-level misdemeanor cases filed in the 118th Judicial District. You can search records online through the statewide re:SearchTX system, visit the courthouse in person, or mail a written request to the clerk's office. Martin County is a small Permian Basin county, and the clerk staff can typically help you locate cases quickly by name or cause number.
Martin County Overview
Martin County District Clerk
The Martin County District Clerk is located at the courthouse in Stanton. This office files and maintains all criminal records from the district court, which hears felony cases. Martin County is served by the 118th Judicial District. The clerk keeps records from the time a case is filed through sentencing and any post-conviction proceedings.
Like many small Texas counties, Martin County handles district court and county court records through closely connected offices. The clerk staff is small but knowledgeable about local cases. If you are searching for a specific case and know the approximate year it was filed, that will help staff locate it faster. Felony charges such as drug possession, assault, robbery, and similar offenses all go through the district court here.
For expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, you file with this office. The clerk can confirm whether a record has been expunged or sealed before you make a formal request for documents.
| Office | Martin County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 E. 4th Street Stanton, TX 79782 |
| Phone | (432) 756-3414 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Martin County Criminal Records
The fastest way to search Martin County criminal records is through the re:SearchTX portal, which is free and open to the public. The portal pulls data from Texas courts statewide, including Martin County district court filings. You can search by name, cause number, or attorney. Results show the charge, case status, and documents that have been filed.
The Texas Office of Court Administration runs re:SearchTX. It does not require an account or any fee. Most cases filed in recent years are available. Older records may not appear in the portal and would need to be requested directly from the clerk's office in Stanton.
The screenshot below shows the re:SearchTX portal used to search court records across Texas, including Martin County criminal cases.
You can also check the Texas DPS Criminal History Search for a statewide name-based report at a cost of $3 per search. For fingerprint-based results, the FAST program provides a certified criminal history tied to a specific person. If you need to search in person, go to the District Clerk office at 110 E. 4th Street in Stanton with a valid photo ID.
The re:SearchTX portal, operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration, is the primary public access point for Martin County court filings.
The portal covers district, county, and appellate court cases and is updated as new documents are filed with the clerk.
Martin County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Martin County are heard in the county court. These include charges like DWI first offense, assault causing bodily injury, and theft under a certain dollar amount. The county court clerk keeps these records. In smaller counties like Martin, the county court function may be handled by the same staff that serves the district court, or by the county judge's office.
Class C misdemeanors are a different matter. Those cases go through justice of the peace courts or municipal court, not the county or district clerk. JP court records are kept separately at the precinct level. If you need a Class C record from Martin County, contact the specific JP precinct or the city where the citation or charge was issued.
When in doubt, call the clerk at (432) 756-3414. They can tell you which court handled the case and where to look for the file.
Martin County Arrest Records
The Martin County Sheriff's Office makes most arrests in the county and maintains local jail booking records. An arrest record shows the name of the person booked, the charge at the time of arrest, the booking date, and other booking details. Arrest records are separate from court records. An arrest does not mean a conviction, and the court file is the place to find out what happened with a case after someone was arrested.
For people who served time in a Texas state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search shows current custody status and release information. The Texas sex offender registry, run by the Department of Public Safety, lists registered offenders by name and county across the state. Both are free and searchable online. Martin County offenders are included in both databases if they meet the relevant criteria.
What Martin County Criminal Records Contain
A criminal case file in Martin County grows from the initial charging document through the final disposition. Whether the case ends in a plea, a trial, or a dismissal, the file reflects each step that took place. Here is what is typically found in a criminal court record:
- Indictment or information listing the formal charges
- Arrest warrant or capias if one was issued
- Bond conditions and release orders
- Motions filed by defense and prosecution
- Court orders and judge's rulings
- Plea agreement documents if the case resolved by plea
- Final judgment and sentence
- Probation terms or community supervision conditions
Most criminal records in Martin County are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile records, sealed records, and expunged records are not open to the public. Ask the clerk if you are unsure whether a specific record can be released.
Fees and Access in Martin County
The standard copy fee at the Martin County District Clerk is $1 per page. Certified copies require an additional $5 certification fee on top of the per-page cost. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, bring enough to cover both charges. Payment at the counter is typically cash or money order. For mail requests, use a money order.
The re:SearchTX portal is free. The DPS name-based search costs $3. Court forms are free to download at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. Call the clerk at (432) 756-3414 before mailing a request to confirm current fees and the proper format for written requests.
If you need legal help with a criminal record issue, TexasLawHelp.org provides free guides on expunctions and record access. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory can help you locate a licensed attorney in the region. Lone Star Legal Aid serves West Texas and may assist eligible low-income residents with civil legal matters tied to criminal records.
Cities in Martin County
Stanton is the county seat and the main population center in Martin County. All criminal court cases filed in the county are processed through the courts in Stanton. The county is largely rural with a small overall population, and there are no other incorporated cities that have qualifying pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
Martin County is in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. Bordering counties each have their own courts. If you need records from a neighboring area, see Midland County, Howard County, Dawson County, Glasscock County, or Andrews County.