Access San Patricio County Criminal Court Records
San Patricio County criminal court records are kept at the courthouse in Sinton, Texas. The District Clerk's office at 400 W. Sinton Street handles felony case records and public records requests for the county. You can search San Patricio County criminal cases for free using the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse in person, or send a written request by mail. This page explains what offices hold the records, how to search online, and what to bring when you request copies.
San Patricio County Overview
San Patricio County District Clerk
The San Patricio County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal court records for the county. Cases filed in the district court are processed through this office. The clerk holds indictments, motions, plea agreements, judgments, and all other documents tied to felony cases. To find a case, you need the defendant's full name or the cause number.
The District Clerk page at co.san-patricio.tx.us has contact details and information about making records requests. The screenshot below shows that page, which is the right starting point for felony records in San Patricio County.
The District Clerk's page confirms the office location at 400 W. Sinton Street and lists the direct phone number. Expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are filed with the District Clerk in Sinton.
| Office | San Patricio County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 W. Sinton Street Sinton, TX 78387 |
| Phone | (361) 364-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search San Patricio County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration is the free online option for San Patricio County criminal case records. Search by defendant name or cause number. The system shows the charge, case status, court dates, and documents on file. No login is required.
The Texas Judicial Branch operates the re:SearchTX portal as the main statewide court records tool. The screenshot below shows the search interface used to find criminal cases in San Patricio County and across Texas.
Re:SearchTX covers San Patricio County felony cases going back several years. For a statewide criminal history check that covers all Texas counties, the DPS name-based search costs $3. Fingerprint-based checks through the Texas FAST program are more thorough and are used for licensing applications. In-person searches at the Sinton courthouse are available Monday through Friday during regular hours.
San Patricio County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and B misdemeanor cases in San Patricio County are filed with the County Clerk and processed in county court. These include misdemeanor DWI, assault causing bodily injury, and theft below the felony threshold. The County Clerk in Sinton maintains these records and can provide copies on request.
The San Patricio County Clerk page at co.san-patricio.tx.us has contact details for the County Clerk. The screenshot below shows that page, which is the right office for misdemeanor records requests.
Class C misdemeanors are handled at the justice of the peace and municipal court level, not by the County Clerk. If you need a Class C record, contact the JP or city court that handled the matter. The courthouse in Sinton can direct you to the right court if you are not sure which one.
San Patricio County Arrest Records
The San Patricio County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and maintains the county jail booking log. When someone is taken into custody, a record is created with their name, charge, booking date, and related details. Arrest records are separate from court case records. The District Clerk's files show what happened in court after an arrest.
The San Patricio County Sheriff's Office page is at co.san-patricio.tx.us. The screenshot below shows that page, which has direct contact details for the sheriff and jail.
For statewide prison records, use the free TDCJ offender search. The Texas sex offender registry lists people registered in San Patricio County and across Texas. Both tools are free and available online through official state agencies.
What San Patricio County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal case files in San Patricio County follow the standard Texas court format. Felony records are held by the District Clerk. Misdemeanor records are with the County Clerk. Both include the charging document, court orders, and a final judgment once the case closes.
Documents typically found in a San Patricio County criminal case file include:
- Indictment or criminal information
- Arrest warrant and supporting affidavit
- Bond documents and release conditions
- Attorney filings and appearances
- Plea agreement or trial records
- Judge's orders and rulings on motions
- Final judgment and sentence
- Probation terms if ordered
Most of these records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and expunged records are not available. Once a court grants an expunction under Chapter 55 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, all agencies must destroy those records and cannot release them.
The San Patricio County District Attorney handles felony prosecutions in the county. Their page at co.san-patricio.tx.us has contact details. The actual case records from those prosecutions are filed with and maintained by the District Clerk.
Fees and Record Access in San Patricio County
Standard copy fees 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. The free re:SearchTX portal gives case-level information online at no cost. The DPS name-based search costs $3 and covers all Texas counties.
Free court forms including expunction packets are at txcourts.gov. Call the San Patricio County District Clerk at (361) 364-2200 to confirm current fees before mailing a request. For free legal guides, visit TexasLawHelp.org. Lone Star Legal Aid serves South Texas and may help qualifying residents. To find a licensed attorney in the Sinton area, use the Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory.
Cities in San Patricio County
Sinton is the county seat of San Patricio County. Other communities include Portland, Ingleside, Gregory, Aransas Pass, and Mathis. Portland has around 15,000 residents and Sinton has about 5,000. None meet the population threshold for a separate records page on this site. All criminal court matters for cities in San Patricio County are processed through the courts in Sinton.
Nearby Counties
San Patricio County is on the Texas Gulf Coast, inland from Corpus Christi Bay. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, check with Aransas County, Bee County, Jim Wells County, Kleberg County, Nueces County, or Refugio County.