Motley County Criminal Court Records
Motley County criminal court records are kept in Matador, Texas, one of the smallest county seats in the state. Motley County is a lightly populated area in the South Plains region, and the clerk's office handles both district and county court functions. Criminal records from felony cases and Class A and B misdemeanor cases are both available at the courthouse. You can search cases online through the re:SearchTX portal for free, or contact the clerk's office in Matador by phone or in person. This page covers where to find records, what they contain, and how to access them.
Motley County Overview
Motley County District and County Clerk
In Motley County, one office serves as both the District Clerk and the County Clerk. This combined clerk's office handles all criminal court records for the county, including felony cases filed in the district court and Class A and B misdemeanor cases handled at the county court level. When you need records from either type of case, you contact this single office in Matador.
The 110th Judicial District Court covers Motley County along with Floyd County. Felony cases are heard under that court's jurisdiction. For misdemeanor criminal matters, the County Court handles proceedings. Because the county is small, both functions operate out of the same courthouse in Matador. Staff can look up cases by name or cause number and assist with copy requests.
| Office | Motley County District/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Main Street Matador, TX 79244 |
| Phone | (806) 347-2621 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Because Motley County is one of Texas's least populated counties, the clerk's office may have limited staffing. It is a good idea to call ahead before making the drive to Matador.
How to Search Motley County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best starting point for searching Motley County criminal records without traveling to Matador. This free statewide tool covers district court records and lets you search by defendant name, cause number, or attorney. Case details including charges, status, and documents appear in the results. No account is required.
Texas Courts operates the re:SearchTX portal and includes records from Motley County's district court. Searching online can save you a trip to a very remote courthouse.
For a statewide criminal history report, use the DPS Criminal History Search at $3 per name. It covers courts across Texas, which is useful if a person has records in multiple counties. The FAST fingerprint program at DPS gives certified, fingerprint-based results for a more thorough check. To search in person, visit the clerk's office at 100 Main Street in Matador.
Motley County Misdemeanor Records
Misdemeanor criminal records in Motley County are kept by the same combined clerk's office that handles district court records. Class A and B misdemeanor cases go through the County Court. These cover things like assault, smaller theft amounts, and DWI. Because the same office manages both sets of records, you can ask about felony and misdemeanor cases in one call or one visit.
Class C misdemeanors are handled at the justice of the peace level and are not part of the combined clerk's records. For a Class C case, you need to contact the JP court that handled it. JP court records in Motley County would be held locally by that court.
| Office | Motley County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Main Street Matador, TX 79244 |
| Phone | (806) 347-2621 |
Motley County Arrest Records
The Motley County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and jail operations in the county. When someone is arrested and booked, the sheriff creates an arrest record with the person's name, charges, and date of arrest. This record is separate from any court case. It shows that a person was taken into custody, not what happened afterward in court. An arrest is not a conviction.
Contact the Motley County Sheriff's Office in Matador to ask about a recent arrest or to find out if someone is currently in jail. For offenders serving time in TDCJ facilities, the TDCJ offender search is available online at no cost. The Texas sex offender registry is also searchable online and includes any registered offenders living in Motley County.
What Motley County Criminal Records Contain
A criminal case file in Motley County documents the full arc of a case from charges to final outcome. Felony files start with the grand jury indictment. Misdemeanor files begin with a complaint or information. As the case moves along, documents from each step are added to the file.
Motley County criminal case files typically include:
- Indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond paperwork and conditions of release
- Pretrial motions and orders
- Plea agreement or jury trial documentation
- Judgment and sentence
- Probation conditions if applicable
Most criminal court records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Exceptions include juvenile cases and sealed records. Records that have been expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are not accessible to the public. Expunctions can apply to cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or met other specific requirements. Not all cases qualify.
Fees and Record Access
Copies of criminal records in Motley County cost $1 per page. Certified copies add an extra fee. You can request copies in person at the courthouse in Matador or by mail. Include payment when mailing a request. Call the clerk's office at (806) 347-2621 ahead of time to confirm current fees and turnaround time.
Online access through re:SearchTX is free for basic case data. A DPS name search costs $3 and covers the entire state. Standard forms for court record requests are available at txcourts.gov. For legal help, TexasLawHelp.org has self-help guides on expunction and record requests. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer can help you locate an attorney familiar with courts in this part of Texas.
Cities in Motley County
Matador is the county seat and the only incorporated community of note in Motley County. The county is extremely rural and sparsely populated. All criminal cases in Motley County are handled through the combined clerk's office and the courts in Matador. No cities in Motley County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Motley County is in the South Plains region of Texas. If a case may have been filed in a nearby area, the surrounding counties are Cottle County, Floyd County, Dickens County, Crosby County, Briscoe County, and Hall County.