Nolan County Criminal Court Records
Nolan County criminal court records are filed at the courthouse in Sweetwater, Texas, where the District Clerk maintains felony case files and the County Clerk handles Class A and B misdemeanor records. The free statewide re:SearchTX portal is the quickest way to search Nolan County cases online, though in-person and mail requests are also available. This guide explains how the system works and who maintains what records in Nolan County.
Nolan County Overview
Nolan County District Clerk
The Nolan County District Clerk keeps all felony criminal court records for the county. This includes indictments, plea agreements, trial records, and final judgments. Nolan County is served by the 32nd Judicial District Court, which also covers Mitchell County. The clerk's office is located at the courthouse in Sweetwater and is open to the public on regular business days.
You can visit the office at 100 E. 3rd Street to search records in person or to request copies. Staff can look up cases by name or cause number. Mail requests are accepted. For expunction filings under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, this is the office where you would file the petition.
The Nolan County District Clerk's office in Sweetwater handles filings, docket management, and public access requests for all criminal cases in the 32nd Judicial District.
| Office | Nolan County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 E. 3rd Street Sweetwater, TX 79556 |
| Phone | (325) 235-8485 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Nolan County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best free tool for searching Nolan County criminal court records online. It pulls directly from the Texas court system and covers district court cases. You can search by name or cause number and see charge details, court dates, and case outcomes without paying anything or creating an account.
The Texas Judicial Branch's re:SearchTX portal provides free online access to Nolan County district court records, including felony case summaries, charge descriptions, and current case status through the 32nd Judicial District.
The results you get from re:SearchTX show charge information and case status. For actual document copies, you may need to follow up with the courthouse. The DPS Criminal History Search covers all Texas courts for $3 and is useful if you need a broader picture. The FAST fingerprint program gives a certified, more complete result for situations where that level of detail matters.
In-person visits to the courthouse at 100 E. 3rd Street in Sweetwater are straightforward. Bring a name and case number if you have it. Staff will pull the file and let you review or copy what you need.
Nolan County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Nolan County are stored by the County Clerk. These cover charges like assault, theft under felony thresholds, and first-offense DWI. The county judge handles these cases, and the County Clerk maintains the files. Both the District Clerk and County Clerk offices are housed at the same courthouse in Sweetwater.
The Nolan County Clerk handles misdemeanor case records, vital records, and other county filings from the courthouse on E. 3rd Street in Sweetwater.
| Office | Nolan County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 E. 3rd Street Sweetwater, TX 79556 |
| Phone | (325) 235-8485 |
Note: Class C misdemeanor records stay with the justice of the peace court that handled the case and are not part of the County Clerk's records.
Nolan County Arrest Records
The Nolan County Sheriff's Office creates and holds arrest and booking records for the county jail. An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody and lists the charges at booking. It does not show what happened later in court. For case outcomes, you need the court file from the District or County Clerk.
The Nolan County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and jail operations for the county. Contact the sheriff's office directly for current inmate information or arrest records.
For state prison inmates or those recently released from TDCJ custody, use the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search. The Texas sex offender registry from DPS shows registered offenders in Nolan County by name or zip code. The Nolan County District Attorney also plays a role in charging decisions. You can find information on the Nolan County District Attorney page.
What Nolan County Criminal Records Contain
A criminal court file in Nolan County grows from the moment charges are filed. For felonies, it starts with an indictment. For misdemeanors, it starts with an information filed by the district attorney's office. As the case moves through the system, more documents are added.
Most criminal case files in Nolan County include:
- Indictment or information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond and conditions of release
- Defense and prosecution motions
- Plea agreement or jury verdict
- Final judgment and sentence
- Probation conditions if applicable
These documents are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile records are sealed. Cases expunged under Chapter 55 are removed from the public record. Not all arrests or charges qualify for expunction.
The Nolan County District Attorney's office prosecutes felony and misdemeanor cases in the 32nd Judicial District, making charging decisions that shape what ends up in the official court record.
Fees and Record Access
Copies of court records in Nolan County cost $1 per page. Certified copies require an additional certification fee. Request copies in person at the courthouse or by mail with payment included. Confirm current fees by calling (325) 235-8485 before mailing a request.
Online access through re:SearchTX is free. No login needed. Full document images typically require a visit or mail request. The statewide DPS search costs $3. Standard court forms are at the Texas Courts website. Legal help for eligible residents is available through Lone Star Legal Aid. Find a local attorney using the State Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool. Self-help guides on expunctions are at TexasLawHelp.org.
Cities in Nolan County
Sweetwater is the county seat and largest city in Nolan County. All criminal cases from Nolan County are processed through the district and county courts in Sweetwater. Other communities in the county include Roscoe and Blackwell. Neither has its own court system. All cases go through the Sweetwater courthouse regardless of where in the county they originated.
Nearby Counties
Nolan County is in West Central Texas. If you need to verify which county handled a case, check where the offense took place. Adjacent counties include Taylor County, Mitchell County, Scurry County, Fisher County, Jones County, and Runnels County.