Wichita County Criminal Court Records

Wichita County criminal court records are maintained by the District Clerk in Wichita Falls, Texas. The District Clerk keeps all felony case files while the County Clerk manages Class A and B misdemeanor records. You can search Wichita County criminal cases for free through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse on 7th Street in Wichita Falls, or submit a written request for copies by mail. This page explains how the court system works in Wichita County and where to find the records you need.

Wichita County District Clerk

The Wichita County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal court records for the county. This office is located at 900 7th Street in Wichita Falls and handles cases from the 30th, 78th, and 89th Judicial District Courts that serve Wichita County. When someone is indicted on a felony charge in Wichita County, the case file lives at this office from the first filing through sentencing and any post-conviction matters.

Staff at the District Clerk's office can search by defendant name or cause number. In-person requests are handled at the counter during regular business hours. The office also files expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 for those seeking to clear arrest records from public view.

The re:SearchTX portal provides free public access to Wichita County criminal case records from the Texas court system. The portal shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and documents filed in district court.

The statewide portal is updated regularly and covers both current and historical district court cases in Wichita County. No login is needed to search by name or cause number.

How to Search Wichita County Criminal Records

Most searches start at the free re:SearchTX portal. It covers district court criminal cases across Texas including Wichita County. You can search by name, cause number, or attorney. The portal shows the charge, filing date, court assigned, and case status without needing to go to the courthouse.

For a statewide criminal history check outside the court system, the Texas Department of Public Safety offers a name-based search for $3. This covers courts across Texas, not just Wichita County. For a result tied to fingerprints, the FAST fingerprint program provides more precise identification. In-person searches at the Wichita Falls courthouse are available during regular office hours.

If the online portal does not return expected results, the record may be older or may not yet be digitized. Call the District Clerk at (940) 766-8190 to check for records not in the online system.

Wichita County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Wichita County are handled by the county courts at law and maintained by the County Clerk. Charges in this category include DWI, assault, theft below the felony threshold, and similar offenses. The County Clerk's office is also located at the Wichita County courthouse complex in Wichita Falls.

For misdemeanor records, contact the Wichita County Clerk directly. They can search by name or cause number and let you know what documents are available and what copies cost. Class C misdemeanors are not kept by the County Clerk. Those cases are handled at the justice of the peace and municipal court level and remain with those courts.

Note: Wichita Falls has its own municipal court system that handles Class C misdemeanor offenses occurring within city limits. Those records are maintained separately by the city court.

Wichita County Arrest Records

The Wichita County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county. When someone is booked into the county jail, the sheriff's office creates a record with the name, arrest date, and charges at booking. Arrest records show what someone was taken into custody for, not what happened in court afterward. These are separate from the court case files held by the District Clerk.

For current jail information or recent arrests in Wichita County, contact the sheriff's office directly. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search shows current TDCJ inmates and recently released offenders from across the state. The Texas sex offender registry maintained by DPS lists registered offenders by county and zip code at no cost.

What Wichita County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal case files in Wichita County hold documents from every phase of a case. The file begins with the charging document, which is either a grand jury indictment for felonies or an information for misdemeanors, and grows as the case moves through hearings and to resolution. Most of these records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552.

Common documents found in a Wichita County criminal case file:

• Indictment or charging information
• Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
• Bond documents and release conditions
• Pre-trial motions and court rulings
• Plea agreement or jury trial record
• Judgment and sentence
• Probation or community supervision conditions

Some records are sealed by the court. Juvenile cases and certain mental health records are not available to the public. Records that have been expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure are removed from public files entirely and cannot appear in searches.

Fees and Record Access

Copies of court records in Wichita County cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5 certification fee. You can request copies in person at the courthouse or submit a mail request with payment. For mail requests, include the full name, approximate year, and a money order or check for the estimated fee.

Online access through re:SearchTX is free for case information. The DPS name-based search costs $3 per person and covers all Texas courts. Court forms are available through the Texas Courts website.

For legal assistance in Wichita County, Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying residents. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool helps locate licensed attorneys by location and practice area. Self-help guides on criminal records and expunctions are available at TexasLawHelp.org.

Note: Contact the Wichita County District Clerk at (940) 766-8190 to confirm current fees before mailing a request.

Cities in Wichita County

Wichita Falls is the county seat and by far the largest city in Wichita County, home to most of the county's population. All criminal cases filed in Wichita County are processed through the district and county courts in Wichita Falls. See the Wichita Falls criminal court records page for more detail on courthouse locations and search options specific to that city.

Other communities in Wichita County include Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Electra, and Lakeside City. None of these have their own criminal district courts. All felony and misdemeanor cases in those areas are handled through the Wichita County courts in Wichita Falls.

Nearby Counties

Wichita County is in north Texas near the Oklahoma border. Neighboring counties with their own court records include Archer County, Clay County, Baylor County, Wilbarger County, and Montague County.