Find Runnels County Criminal Court Records
Runnels County criminal court records are kept at the courthouse in Ballinger, Texas. The District Clerk's office at 613 Hutchings Avenue handles felony case filings, judgments, and public records requests. You can look up Runnels County criminal cases through the statewide re:SearchTX portal for free, visit the courthouse in person, or send a mail request. This page covers the key offices, what records they hold, and how to get access.
Runnels County Overview
Runnels County District Clerk
The Runnels County District Clerk stores all felony criminal court records for the county. Cases from the 119th Judicial District Court are filed and tracked through this office. The clerk holds indictments, motions, plea records, sentencing orders, and related case documents. You can request a records search by providing the defendant's full name or the case's cause number.
The office is at 613 Hutchings Avenue in Ballinger and is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Mail requests are accepted. Include the full name of the defendant, an approximate year for the case, and payment for any copies you need. To file an expunction petition under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, submit the petition to the District Clerk's office in Ballinger.
| Office | Runnels County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 613 Hutchings Avenue Ballinger, TX 76821 |
| Phone | (325) 365-3515 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Runnels County Criminal Records
Start with the re:SearchTX portal, which is free and covers Runnels County district court records. You can search by defendant name or cause number. The portal shows the charge, case status, court dates, and documents on file. No account is needed.
Re:SearchTX is the quickest way to check whether a case exists in Runnels County and what the current status is. For a broader statewide criminal history search covering all Texas counties, the DPS name-based criminal history search is available for $3. It pulls records from courts across Texas and is useful when you are not sure which county a case was filed in.
In-person searches at the Runnels County Courthouse in Ballinger are available during business hours. Bring a photo ID and the name of the person you need records on. Staff can pull available case files and provide copies on request. Mail requests work for those who cannot make the trip, but they take more time. Call (325) 365-3515 first to confirm what you need to include before sending anything.
For fingerprint-based background checks, the Texas FAST program is available for licensing and official purposes. This type of check is more thorough than a name-based search.
Runnels County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in Runnels County are filed with the County Clerk and handled in county court. Offenses at this level include misdemeanor DWI, assault causing bodily injury, and theft under the felony threshold. The County Clerk in Ballinger keeps these case files and can provide copies to the public.
To get misdemeanor records in Runnels County, contact the County Clerk at the Runnels County Courthouse in Ballinger. Provide the defendant's name or cause number. Copies can be requested in person or by mail. Class C misdemeanors are processed at the justice of the peace or municipal court level. Those records are not with the County Clerk. Ask the courthouse operator to route you to the correct JP court if you need a Class C record.
Runnels County Arrest Records
The Runnels County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records and the jail booking log. Booking records show the name, charge, date of arrest, and other information gathered at the time someone is taken into custody. These are separate from court case records. An arrest record alone does not show what happened in court. You need to check the District Clerk's records to see charges, pleas, and case outcomes.
Contact the Runnels County Sheriff's Office in Ballinger for questions about local arrests or to request a copy of a booking record. For people in Texas state prison or recently released, check the free TDCJ offender search. The Texas sex offender registry lists registered offenders in Runnels County and statewide. Both are available at no cost through official state websites.
What Runnels County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal case files in Runnels County follow the standard Texas court record format. Felony records are held by the District Clerk. Misdemeanor records are with the County Clerk. Both types of files include the charging document, court orders, and the final judgment once the case is closed.
Documents typically found in a Runnels County criminal case file include:
- Indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and affidavit
- Bond and release conditions
- Plea agreement or trial records
- Judge's orders and rulings
- Final judgment and sentence
- Probation terms if applicable
Most of these records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile files, sealed records, and expunged cases are not available to the public. Once a court grants an expunction under Chapter 55 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, agencies must destroy those records and cannot release them.
Fees and Record Access in Runnels County
Standard copy fees in Texas county courts are $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee. Request copies in person or by mail with payment included. The re:SearchTX portal is free and gives you online access to case-level information. The DPS name-based search costs $3 and covers records from across Texas.
Court forms for expunctions and other filings are free at txcourts.gov. Call the Runnels County District Clerk at (325) 365-3515 to verify the current fee schedule before sending a mail request. For free legal guidance, visit TexasLawHelp.org. To find a licensed attorney in the Ballinger area, use the Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory. Lone Star Legal Aid may assist qualifying residents with expunction petitions and other civil legal matters.
Cities in Runnels County
Ballinger is the county seat and main city in Runnels County. Other communities in the county include Winters and Miles. None meet the population threshold for a separate records page. All criminal court matters for these communities are handled through the Runnels County courthouse in Ballinger.
Nearby Counties
Runnels County is in West Central Texas. If a case was handled in a neighboring county, check with Coke County, Coleman County, Concho County, McCulloch County, Menard County, Nolan County, Taylor County, or Tom Green County.