Willacy County Criminal Court Records
Willacy County criminal court records are maintained at the courthouse in Raymondville, Texas. The District Clerk keeps all felony case files and the County Clerk handles Class A and B misdemeanor records. You can search Willacy County criminal cases for free through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the Raymondville courthouse in person, or send a written request by mail to get copies. This page explains how to find records and who to contact in Willacy County.
Willacy County Overview
Willacy County District Clerk
The Willacy County District Clerk is the official keeper of felony criminal court records for the county. The office is located at 550 W. Main Street in Raymondville and handles all cases filed in the 197th Judicial District Court. When someone is charged with a felony in Willacy County, the case is filed here. The clerk tracks the case through every stage and stores the final judgment and sentence.
Staff can look up cases by defendant name or cause number. In-person requests are processed at the counter during regular hours. The district clerk also accepts and processes expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 for defendants who meet the eligibility requirements to have arrest records cleared.
The Willacy County District Clerk page at co.willacy.tx.us provides direct contact information and service details for the clerk's office.
For mail requests, include the full defendant name, approximate year the case was filed, and a money order or check for the estimated copy fee.
| Office | Willacy County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 550 W. Main Street Raymondville, TX 78580 |
| Phone | (956) 689-2532 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Willacy County Criminal Records
Start with the free re:SearchTX portal. It covers district court criminal cases across Texas including Willacy County. Enter a name or cause number to see the charges, court assigned, filing date, and current case status. No login is required.
The Willacy County Clerk's page at co.willacy.tx.us lists contact details for the clerk's office if you need to follow up on a misdemeanor case or have questions about courthouse access.
For a statewide background check, the Texas DPS offers a name-based search for $3 that covers courts across the state. The FAST fingerprint program provides a more definitive result tied to a specific person. You can also visit the clerk in Raymondville during regular business hours to search in person.
Willacy County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Willacy County are handled by the county court and maintained by the County Clerk. These cases include charges such as DWI, assault, and theft below the felony level. The County Clerk's office is in the same courthouse building in Raymondville.
For misdemeanor records, contact the Willacy County Clerk at (956) 689-2532. They can search by name or cause number and explain what documents are on file. Class C misdemeanors are handled at the justice of the peace level and remain with those courts, not with the County Clerk.
Willacy County Arrest Records
The Willacy County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county. When someone is booked into the county jail, the sheriff creates a record with the name, date of arrest, and charges at booking. These records are separate from the court files held by the District Clerk. An arrest record shows what someone was taken into custody for, not how the case ended.
The sheriff's office contact information is available at co.willacy.tx.us. Contact the sheriff's office directly for current jail information or recent bookings.
For state prison records, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search is available free online. The Texas sex offender registry from DPS lists registered offenders living in Willacy County and can be searched by address or zip code.
What Willacy County Criminal Records Contain
A criminal case file in Willacy County holds documents from every phase of the case. Most of these records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. The file starts with the charging instrument and adds documents as hearings occur and the case moves toward resolution.
The Willacy County District Attorney handles felony prosecutions. Information about that office is available at co.willacy.tx.us. Plea agreements and prosecution decisions made by the DA become part of the public court record.
Common documents found in a Willacy County criminal case file:
- Indictment or information with formal charges
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond paperwork and release conditions
- Defense and prosecution pre-trial motions
- Court orders and judge's rulings
- Plea agreement if applicable
- Final judgment and sentence
- Probation conditions if ordered
Records expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure are removed from public access and cannot appear in searches. Juvenile records are also sealed. Not every arrest qualifies for expunction under Texas law.
Fees and Record Access
Copies of court records in Willacy County cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5 fee. You can get copies in person at the courthouse or request them by mail. Online access through re:SearchTX is free for case information and does not require an account.
The DPS name-based search costs $3 and covers all Texas courts. Court request forms are available at the Texas Courts website. For legal help, Lone Star Legal Aid serves qualifying low-income residents in the region. The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool helps locate licensed attorneys by practice area. Self-help guides on expunctions and criminal records are available at TexasLawHelp.org.
Note: Contact the Willacy County District Clerk at (956) 689-2532 to confirm current fees before sending a mail request.
Cities in Willacy County
Raymondville is the county seat and largest city in Willacy County. All criminal court cases filed in the county are handled through the district and county courts in Raymondville, regardless of where in the county the offense took place.
Other communities in Willacy County include San Perlita, Lyford, and Port Mansfield. None of these towns have their own criminal district courts. All felony and misdemeanor cases go through the Willacy County courts in Raymondville.
Nearby Counties
Willacy County is in the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas. If you are not sure which county holds a record, check where the offense occurred. Neighboring counties with their own court records include Cameron County, Hidalgo County, Kenedy County, and Brooks County.