Real County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Real County are held at the courthouse in Leakey, Texas, a small Hill Country county seat located in southwest Texas. Real is one of Texas's smaller counties by population, and like many small counties it uses a combined District and County Clerk office to manage all court records. That single office handles both felony filings and Class A and B misdemeanor cases. You can search Real County criminal records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse in person, or contact the clerk by phone or mail to request documents.

Real County District and County Clerk

Real County uses a combined District and County Clerk office. This is standard practice in small Texas counties where the volume of cases does not require two separate staff offices. The combined clerk handles felony criminal records under the district court function and misdemeanor records under the county court function. All court records for Real County, both criminal and civil, are stored in the same courthouse location in Leakey.

The 198th Judicial District serves Real County along with other Hill Country counties in the same circuit. District judges rotate through county seats on a scheduled basis, so court sessions in Leakey do not happen every week. If you plan to visit the courthouse, it is best to call ahead to confirm the clerk is available and that you can access the records you need on that particular day.

How to Search Real County Criminal Records

The re:SearchTX portal is the best starting point for looking up Real County criminal case records from anywhere with an internet connection. This free system is run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It pulls data from district and county courts statewide, including Real County. You can search by defendant name or by a cause number if you have it. Results show the charge, case status, hearing dates, and uploaded documents.

The Texas Office of Court Administration maintains re:SearchTX as a free public tool for searching Real County and every other Texas court. The screenshot below shows the search portal as it appears for a typical Texas criminal records query.

Because Real County is remote and the courthouse in Leakey is small, online searching through re:SearchTX is often more practical than making an in-person trip. That said, older records that predate electronic filing may only exist on paper at the courthouse. For those, a phone call to the clerk first is the smart move before you drive out.

The Texas DPS Criminal History portal offers name-based searches covering all Texas counties. Self-searches are free. Third-party searches of another person's history cost a small fee. This is useful when you need to see if someone has a criminal record outside of Real County as well.

Misdemeanor Records in Real County

Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Real County are heard in the county court. Because Real County uses a combined clerk office, the same office that holds felony records also holds misdemeanor records. You do not need to contact a separate office. Call or visit the same location in Leakey for both types of records.

The re:SearchTX portal includes county court criminal records alongside district court records. If you are not sure whether a particular charge was a felony or a misdemeanor, start with the online portal. The case type will be listed in the results, and that tells you which court function of the combined office handled the matter.

Class C misdemeanors are handled at the Justice of the Peace court level in Real County. Those records are not stored with the combined District/County Clerk. Contact the appropriate JP precinct directly for Class C case information. Real County has a small JP court serving the county.

Arrest Records and Criminal History Sources

Arrest records in Real County come from the Real County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Arrest logs and jail bookings are separate from what the court clerk holds. Remember that an arrest does not always lead to charges being filed. If you are researching a specific person, it can be worth checking both the arrest record and the court record to get the full picture.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice database is a free public resource for checking incarceration history. If someone was convicted of a felony in Real County and served time in the Texas prison system, their record will appear in the TDCJ offender search. The database shows current location, assigned unit, and projected release date.

The Texas Sex Offender Registry, run by the Texas DPS, is searchable by county. You can look up registered sex offenders specifically in Real County. The listing includes name, address, photo, and offense. It is free to search and updated regularly by the DPS.

What Criminal Case Files Contain

A criminal case file in Real County documents the full history of a case from the initial filing through final resolution. For a simple plea case, the file will be lean but complete. For a case that went through trial, the file will be much larger and include hearing records, motions, exhibits, and possibly appeal documents if the case was contested further.

Documents commonly found in a Real County criminal case file include:

• Indictment or criminal information (the formal charge)
• Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
• Bond and bail condition documents
• Motions filed by both prosecution and defense
• Court orders, docket entries, and rulings
• Plea agreement and supporting factual basis
• Judgment and sentence of the court
• Probation or community supervision terms
• Any post-judgment motions or orders filed later

Records that have been expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 will not appear in public searches. Juvenile records are kept confidential. If you believe a record should exist but cannot find it online or through the clerk's office, ask whether the file may be sealed or restricted by court order.

Record Costs and Access Details

Texas law sets the standard copy fee at $1 per page for court records. Certified copies have an added certification fee on top of the per-page cost. For small rural counties like Real County, copy requests are usually handled in person or by mail rather than electronically. Ask the clerk for the page count before you commit to a large copy request.

The Texas DPS criminal history portal is free for self-searches. Name-based third-party searches cost a small fee. For more complete results, fingerprint-based searches through the FAST fingerprint program are available at authorized sites across Texas.

Mail requests to the Real County District/County Clerk should include the subject's full name, the approximate year the case was filed, a brief description of what you need, and a check or money order to cover the estimated copy cost. For small county offices, it is worth following up by phone a week or two after mailing to confirm receipt.

For free legal guidance on records access or help with your own criminal record, TexasLawHelp.org has plain-language resources. Your rights to government records are set out in the Texas Public Information Act. Lone Star Legal Aid may be able to assist if you need direct legal help in the region.

Cities in Real County

Real County is a sparsely populated Hill Country county in southwest Texas. The county seat is Leakey, a small community on the Frio River. Other communities in the county include Camp Wood and Vance. None meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All criminal court filings for Real County are processed at the courthouse in Leakey regardless of where in the county the offense occurred.

Nearby Counties

Real County borders several other Hill Country and South Texas counties. Criminal court records for neighboring areas are available at: Bandera County, Kerr County, Edwards County, Uvalde County, and Kinney County.