Access Wharton County Criminal Court Records
Wharton County criminal court records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Wharton, Texas. Felony criminal cases are handled by the 23rd Judicial District Court, while misdemeanor matters go through the County Court at Law. Both offices keep public case files you can access in person at the courthouse on S. Fulton Street or search online through the state's free tools.
Wharton County Overview
Wharton County District Clerk
The Wharton County District Clerk page lists contact details and services for the office that handles all felony criminal case files in the 23rd Judicial District.
The District Clerk office is located at 100 S. Fulton Street in Wharton, TX 77488. The phone number is (979) 532-5541. Records maintained here include grand jury indictments, all filed motions, court orders, and final case dispositions for felony criminal cases. Staff can locate files by defendant name or cause number. Records can be viewed in person or copied for $1 per page. Certified copies require a $5 fee.
| Office | Wharton County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 S. Fulton Street, Wharton, TX 77488 |
| Phone | (979) 532-5541 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.wharton.tx.us |
How to Search Wharton County Criminal Records
The re:SearchTX portal is a free state tool for searching Wharton County criminal cases. You can look up cases by party name or cause number. Results show filed documents, charge information, hearing dates, and current case status for both district and county court matters.
The re:SearchTX portal provides free public access to Wharton County criminal case records. The portal shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and documents filed in district court.
For a certified state-level background report, visit the DPS Criminal History portal. Name-based searches cost $3. If a fingerprint-based report is required, the FAST fingerprint program provides details on approved submission sites near Wharton County.
Wharton County Misdemeanor Records
The Wharton County Clerk maintains all county court records, including Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases handled by the County Court at Law.
Common misdemeanor charges in Wharton County include first-offense DWI, Class A assault, theft under certain amounts, and criminal mischief. Records for these cases are filed with the County Clerk and are public. You can request copies at the clerk's office for $1 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5. The re:SearchTX portal may also list county court cases depending on the county's data submissions.
Wharton County Arrest Records
The Wharton County Sheriff's Office serves the unincorporated areas of the county and the communities of El Campo, East Bernard, and Louise, in addition to the county seat of Wharton.
When the sheriff arrests and books someone, a record is created. These booking records include the arrest date, charges at that time, and basic identifying information. They can be requested from the Sheriff's Office. Note that an arrest does not equal a conviction. The court case file will show how the matter was resolved. Statewide records are searchable through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The Texas Sex Offender Registry also lists offenders registered in Wharton County.
What Wharton County Criminal Records Contain
The Wharton County District Attorney handles prosecutions in the 23rd Judicial District, and case files from those prosecutions are public records.
Criminal records in Wharton County are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. You don't need to state a reason to request most court records. Juvenile files and sealed records are the main exceptions.
A typical criminal case file from Wharton County may contain:
- Indictment or information (the charging document)
- Defendant name, date of birth, and cause number
- Charge description and level (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
- Motions filed by both prosecution and defense
- All court orders and hearing records
- Plea and verdict
- Sentence, probation terms, or dismissal order
Records expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access. If a Wharton County case was expunged, it will not appear in re:SearchTX or in DPS background check results.
Fees and Accessing Records
The re:SearchTX online portal is free to use. The DPS criminal history search charges $3 for a name-based search. Paper copies from the Wharton County District Clerk or County Clerk are $1 per page. Add $5 for certification. Visiting the courthouse at 100 S. Fulton Street during business hours is the fastest way to get records in hand the same day.
Lone Star Legal Aid provides free services to income-eligible residents of Wharton County. Find a local attorney through the Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory. Free self-help guides and forms are available at TexasLawHelp.org. Official court forms for Texas proceedings are posted on the Texas Courts website.
Cities in Wharton County
Communities in Wharton County include Wharton (county seat), El Campo, East Bernard, and Louise. Wharton is where all county offices and the courthouse are located. No cities in Wharton County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Wharton County shares borders with Fort Bend County, Matagorda County, Jackson County, Colorado County, and Austin County.