Nacogdoches County Criminal Court Records
Nacogdoches County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in the city of Nacogdoches, Texas, a historic Deep East Texas community that serves as the county seat. The District Clerk handles all felony criminal case files, and the County Clerk stores Class A and B misdemeanor records. You can search cases online through the free re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse on weekdays, or request records by mail. This guide explains the right offices to contact, how to look up records, what the files contain, and where to get legal help if you need it in Nacogdoches County.
Nacogdoches County Overview
Nacogdoches County District Clerk
The Nacogdoches County District Clerk is responsible for maintaining all felony criminal court records in the county. Every felony case that goes through the district court gets a case file with the District Clerk. That file includes the grand jury indictment, motions, hearing records, plea documents, the final judgment, and any sentencing details. The District Clerk also processes expunction petitions under Texas law for defendants seeking to clear eligible records.
Nacogdoches County is served by the 145th Judicial District Court for criminal matters. The District Clerk's office is in the county courthouse in the city of Nacogdoches. Staff can look up cases by defendant name or cause number. Walk-in requests are handled at the counter during regular hours. Mail requests are also accepted. Call ahead if you have any questions about what records are available.
| Office | Nacogdoches County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 W. Main Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961 |
| Phone | (936) 560-7745 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The courthouse at 101 W. Main Street in Nacogdoches houses the District Clerk's office and serves as the center of the county's court system for felony criminal proceedings.
How to Search Nacogdoches County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal gives you free access to district court criminal records from Nacogdoches County without visiting the courthouse. No account is needed. Search by the defendant's name, a cause number, or an attorney's name. Results include charges, case status, court dates, and documents on file. This is the easiest way to check on a case from home.
The Texas Courts re:SearchTX system covers district court criminal cases across the state, including those filed in Nacogdoches County. The portal below provides direct access to these records.
For a statewide criminal history check that covers all Texas counties, the DPS Criminal History Search runs a name-based check for $3. If you need fingerprint-verified results, the FAST program at DPS provides certified reports. In-person searches can be done at the courthouse at 101 W. Main Street. Bring the name or cause number you are looking for.
Nacogdoches County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Nacogdoches County go through the County Court at Law and are kept by the County Clerk. These include DWI, certain assault charges, theft below specific dollar amounts, and related offenses. The County Clerk's office is in the same courthouse building as the District Clerk at 101 W. Main Street. Contact them for misdemeanor records or to ask about a specific case.
Class C misdemeanors are a different matter entirely. Those cases are heard by justice of the peace courts and city municipal courts. The records stay at those individual courts. If you need a Class C record, you need to contact the correct JP court or municipal court that handled the case. The County Clerk does not hold Class C records.
| Office | Nacogdoches County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 W. Main Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961 |
| Phone | (936) 560-7773 |
Nacogdoches County Arrest Records
The Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and jail operations in the county. City police departments in Nacogdoches also make arrests for offenses within city limits. When someone is booked into the county jail, a booking record is created that lists the person's name, charges at the time of booking, and date of arrest. Arrest records are separate from court case records. They do not reflect what happened to the case afterward.
Contact the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office to ask about a recent arrest or current jail population. For offenders in TDCJ facilities, use the TDCJ offender search to find current inmates and recently released individuals statewide. The Texas sex offender registry is searchable online by name, county, or zip code and shows registered offenders living in Nacogdoches County.
What Nacogdoches County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal court files in Nacogdoches County document the full progression of a case. For felonies, the file starts with a grand jury indictment. For Class A and B misdemeanors, the case begins with a criminal information. Either way, documents build up as the case moves through the system.
You can generally expect a Nacogdoches County criminal case file to include:
- Indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond and release conditions
- Pretrial motions and court orders
- Plea agreement or jury trial records
- Judgment and sentence
- Probation or community supervision terms if applicable
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, most of these records are public. Juvenile cases and sealed records are exempt. Records expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public view. An expunction can apply when a case was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or met other specific legal conditions. Not every case qualifies for expunction.
Fees and Record Access
Copies of criminal court records in Nacogdoches County cost $1 per page. Certified copies require an added certification fee. Requests can be made in person at the courthouse or by mail. Mail requests should go to the District Clerk for felony cases or the County Clerk for misdemeanor cases. Include payment when mailing. Call ahead to confirm the total.
The re:SearchTX portal is free and covers district court criminal cases. The DPS name-based search costs $3 for a statewide report. Standard forms for record requests are at txcourts.gov. For legal help in Nacogdoches County, Lone Star Legal Aid serves East Texas residents who qualify. TexasLawHelp.org has free guides on criminal records, expunctions, and non-disclosure. The Texas Bar attorney finder can connect you with licensed attorneys in the Nacogdoches area.
Cities in Nacogdoches County
The city of Nacogdoches is the county seat and by far the largest community in the county, home to Stephen F. Austin State University and a population of around 33,000. While Nacogdoches is a significant city for East Texas, it falls below the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Other communities in the county include Appleby and Woden. All criminal cases filed in Nacogdoches County are handled through the courts at the county courthouse in the city of Nacogdoches.
Nearby Counties
Nacogdoches County is in Deep East Texas and borders several neighboring counties. If you are not sure which county a case was filed in, check the location of the offense. Adjacent counties include Shelby County, Sabine County, San Augustine County, Angelina County, Cherokee County, and Rusk County.