Find Criminal Court Records in Pecos County
Pecos County criminal court records are filed at the courthouse in Fort Stockton, Texas, where the District Clerk handles all felony cases and the County Clerk maintains Class A and B misdemeanor files. Pecos County covers a large geographic area in West Texas, and the re:SearchTX portal provides the easiest free way to search cases without traveling to Fort Stockton. This page explains how to access criminal records, who maintains them, and what they typically contain.
Pecos County Overview
Pecos County District Clerk
The Pecos County District Clerk is the official keeper of all felony criminal court records in the county. This office files indictments, tracks the criminal docket for the 83rd Judicial District Court, and stores final judgments and sentences. The 83rd District Court covers Pecos County and handles all serious criminal matters filed here. The courthouse is located at 103 W. Callaghan Street in Fort Stockton.
Staff can search records by defendant name or cause number and provide copies during regular business hours. Mail requests are accepted. Because Pecos County covers such a large area in West Texas, many people rely on the mail or online portal to access records rather than making the drive to Fort Stockton. The District Clerk also processes expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Call ahead at (432) 336-5517 to confirm what you need before visiting.
| Office | Pecos County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 103 W. Callaghan Street Fort Stockton, TX 79735 |
| Phone | (432) 336-5517 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Pecos County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best tool for anyone who cannot make the drive to Fort Stockton. It is free, covers all Texas district courts including the 83rd in Pecos County, and lets you search by name or cause number. You get charge details, case status, and hearing dates without paying or creating an account. This is especially useful for Pecos County given its size and remote location.
The Texas Judicial Branch's re:SearchTX portal provides free online access to Pecos County district court criminal records, including case summaries and charge information for felony matters handled by the 83rd Judicial District Court in Fort Stockton.
Results are updated within a few business days of a court entry, so the portal is a reliable first stop. For a statewide name-based check that covers all Texas courts, the DPS Criminal History Search costs $3. This is useful when someone may have cases in Pecos County and other West Texas counties. For a certified and fingerprint-based result, the FAST fingerprint program gives a complete report. In-person visits to 103 W. Callaghan Street in Fort Stockton give direct access to physical case files. Call (432) 336-5517 before making the trip to confirm the file is available and what you need to bring.
Pecos County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Pecos County are handled by the County Court and stored by the County Clerk. These include assault, theft below felony thresholds, and first-offense DWI. The county judge presides over misdemeanor matters, and the County Clerk maintains the files at the same courthouse in Fort Stockton. Both offices can often be reached through the same phone number.
To request misdemeanor records, contact the County Clerk at (432) 336-5517 or visit 103 W. Callaghan Street. Class C misdemeanors, like most traffic violations, are heard by justice of the peace courts. Those records stay with the JP court and are not part of the County Clerk's criminal records system.
| Office | Pecos County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 103 W. Callaghan Street Fort Stockton, TX 79735 |
| Phone | (432) 336-5517 |
Note: Class C misdemeanor records are held by justice of the peace courts and are not part of the County Clerk's system.
Pecos County Arrest Records
The Pecos County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records for the county jail in Fort Stockton. A booking record is created each time someone is taken into custody. It shows the charges at booking, the arrest date, and identifying details. This is separate from a court record. An arrest does not mean someone was convicted. The court file shows what happened after the arrest.
Pecos County covers a large area, and the sheriff's office patrols significant stretches of highway including I-10 and US-385. For TDCJ inmates or those recently released, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search is public. Registered sex offenders in Pecos County can be found using the Texas sex offender registry by name or zip code. Contact the Pecos County Sheriff's Office directly for current jail information.
What Pecos County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal court files in Pecos County hold the documents created at each stage of a case. For felonies, the file starts with a grand jury indictment. For misdemeanors, it begins with an information filed by the district attorney. The file grows as the case moves through hearings, motions, and toward a final resolution.
Most criminal case files in Pecos County include:
- Grand jury indictment or charging information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond paperwork and conditions of release
- Defense and prosecution motions
- Plea agreement or jury trial record
- Final judgment and sentence
- Community supervision conditions if applicable
These records are generally public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile records are sealed. Cases expunged under Chapter 55 are removed from the public record. Not all cases qualify for expunction, and the eligibility rules depend on how the case ended and what charges were involved.
Fees and Record Access
Copies of court records in Pecos County cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. You can get copies in person at 103 W. Callaghan Street in Fort Stockton or by mailing a written request with payment. Given the remote location of the courthouse, many people opt for mail requests. Call (432) 336-5517 first to confirm what you need to include and what the current fees are.
Online access through re:SearchTX is free with no registration required. The statewide DPS name-based search costs $3. Court forms are at the Texas Courts website. Legal aid for eligible low-income residents may be available through Lone Star Legal Aid. Find a licensed attorney using the State Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool. Self-help guides on expunctions and record access are at TexasLawHelp.org.
Cities in Pecos County
Fort Stockton is the county seat and largest city in Pecos County. It serves as the hub for all court activity in the county. Other communities in Pecos County include Iraan and Sheffield. Pecos County is one of the larger counties in Texas by land area, and many residents live at significant distances from the courthouse. All criminal cases in the county go through the district and county courts in Fort Stockton regardless of where in the county the offense occurred.
Nearby Counties
Pecos County is in far West Texas. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check where the alleged offense took place. The county is large and borders several others. Adjacent counties include Brewster County, Jeff Davis County, Reeves County, Ward County, Crane County, Terrell County, and Crockett County.