Search Washington County Criminal Court Records
Washington County criminal court records are filed and maintained through the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Brenham, Texas. Felony cases go through the 21st Judicial District Court, while Class A and Class B misdemeanor matters are handled at the county court level. Both offices keep public records, and many cases can be searched online for free before visiting the courthouse in Brenham.
Washington County Overview
Washington County District Clerk
The Washington County District Clerk office is located at 100 E. Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833. The phone number is (979) 277-6200. This office is the official custodian of all felony criminal case records filed in the 21st Judicial District. Files include grand jury indictments, motions from both the prosecution and defense, all court orders, and final case judgments.
Felony cases in Washington County cover a range of offenses from state jail felonies on up. Each case is indexed by defendant name and cause number. If you know either, staff can locate the file quickly. Records can be viewed at the courthouse during regular hours. Copies are available for $1 per page. Certified copies carry a $5 certification fee. The District Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday.
| Office | Washington County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 E. Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833 |
| Phone | (979) 277-6200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | washingtoncounty.texas.gov |
How to Search Washington County Criminal Records
Use the re:SearchTX portal to search Washington County criminal cases online for free. The portal covers both district and county court filings. You can search by party name or cause number. Results show filed documents, charges, hearing dates, and case status. It is a good first step before contacting the clerk's office directly.
The re:SearchTX portal provides free public access to Washington County criminal case records. The portal shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and documents filed in district court.
For a full state-level background check, the DPS Criminal History portal charges $3 for a name-based search. If you need a fingerprint-based certified report, contact the FAST fingerprint program for approved submission sites in your area.
Washington County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Washington County are handled by the County Court at Law. The Washington County Clerk maintains all records from these proceedings. Common misdemeanor charges include first-offense DWI, theft, criminal mischief, and simple assault. These are serious cases even though they do not rise to the felony level.
County court records can be requested at the County Clerk's office in Brenham. The copy rate is $1 per page and certified copies cost an additional $5. If you want to search before visiting, try re:SearchTX to see if the case is in the state system. Keep in mind that not all county court records are always current in the online portal, so an in-person request may be needed for some files.
Washington County Arrest Records
The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement throughout the county, including areas outside Brenham, Burton, and Chappell Hill. When a person is booked into the county jail, an arrest record is created. These records include the booking date, charges at the time of arrest, and basic identifying information. You can request these records directly from the Sheriff's Office.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has a free online tool to search for current and former Texas inmates. The Texas Sex Offender Registry, operated by DPS, allows you to search for registered sex offenders in Washington County by name, zip code, or address.
What Washington County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal records in Washington County are public records under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Most court documents are open for public inspection without the need to show a reason. Juvenile records and sealed proceedings are not available to the general public.
A standard criminal case file in Washington County typically contains:
- Formal charging document (indictment or information)
- Defendant name, date of birth, and cause number
- Charge description and felony or misdemeanor level
- Filed motions from prosecution and defense
- Court orders and hearing entries
- Plea entered and verdict
- Sentence or probation terms
Records that were expunged are removed from public access entirely. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 lays out who qualifies for expunction and what the process requires. The Washington County District Attorney handles prosecutions in the 21st Judicial District.
Fees and Accessing Records
Free online searching is available through re:SearchTX. The DPS name-based criminal history search costs $3. Paper copies from the District Clerk or County Clerk in Brenham run $1 per page, and certified copies add $5. If you need records quickly, visiting the Brenham courthouse in person during business hours is the most direct route.
Legal resources available to Washington County residents include Lone Star Legal Aid, which serves income-eligible Texans at no charge. You can find a local attorney through the Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool. Free self-help guides and forms are available at TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas Courts website also hosts official court forms for a range of legal proceedings.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County communities include Brenham (the county seat), Burton, and Chappell Hill. Brenham is where the courthouse and all clerk offices are located. No communities in Washington County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Washington County shares borders with Austin County, Brazos County, Burleson County, Grimes County, Lee County, and Waller County.