Criminal records in Harris County, Texas, are accessible through several channels, including online search tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. HarrisCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Harris County. You can also search records directly through the Harris County District Clerk's office, the Justice of the Peace courts, and the Harris County Sheriff's Office. State-level criminal history checks are available through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
How to Search Criminal Records in Harris County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Harris County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search
- HarrisCourt.us — Search publicly available criminal court record information for Harris County cases.
- Harris County District Clerk Case Search — The District Clerk's online portal lets you search felony and misdemeanor cases filed in Harris County district and county criminal courts. You can search by defendant name, case number, or attorney name.
- Justice of the Peace Case Lookup — For Class C misdemeanors and other matters handled by JP courts in Harris County.
- Harris County Sheriff's Office Jail Inquiry — Check current jail bookings and inmate records through the sheriff's online search tool.
- Texas DPS Crime Records Service — Request a statewide criminal history search through the Texas Department of Public Safety. This is the state criminal history repository.
In Person
Visit the Harris County District Clerk's office at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. Public access terminals are available during business hours for searching case records.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal case records to the Harris County District Clerk at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. For certified Texas criminal history reports, submit a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service by mail or online. You'll need to provide fingerprints for a fingerprint-based search.
To start any search, gather as much of the following as possible:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Harris County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Harris County criminal case numbers follow a format common across Texas courts. A typical case number looks like this: 1234567 (seven digits for district court cases) or may include a court prefix depending on the court type.
- District court felony cases — Usually a seven-digit number assigned sequentially by the District Clerk's office.
- County criminal court misdemeanor cases — Often formatted with a number and sometimes a court designation (e.g., a number followed by a dash and court number).
- JP court cases — Use a separate numbering system tied to the specific precinct and place.
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the District Clerk's case search portal for the fastest results. Case numbers are printed on any court documents, bonds, or notices you may have received.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Harris County
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Texas Penal Code or Health & Safety Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., Penal Code § 22.01 for assault). |
| Severity | Texas classifies offenses as Class C, B, or A misdemeanors, state jail felonies, and first-, second-, or third-degree felonies. Capital felonies are the most serious. |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be reduced, enhanced, or changed through plea negotiations or grand jury action. The case record will reflect both original and amended charges. |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active — Court proceedings are ongoing; warrants or conditions may be in effect.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All court obligations have been fulfilled and the case is concluded.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary Hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (more common in felony cases not indicted by grand jury).
- Pre-Trial — Status conferences, motions, and plea negotiations occur before trial.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review Hearing — Used to check compliance with probation or other court-ordered conditions.
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict.
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — The state dropped the charges.
- No Billed — A grand jury declined to indict (specific to Texas felony cases).
- Deferred Adjudication — A form of community supervision in Texas where a finding of guilt is not entered if the defendant successfully completes the terms. This is distinct from a conviction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.101.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Harris County
From the Harris County District Clerk
Certified copies of criminal case documents — including judgments, dispositions, and case filings — are available from the District Clerk's office. You can request them:
- In person at the Criminal Justice Center
- By mail by sending a written request with the case number, defendant name, and a check or money order for applicable fees
- Online through the Harris County District Clerk's website (some documents may be available for electronic purchase)
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting records in person.
From the Texas DPS
For a certified statewide criminal history report, submit your request through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. Name-based searches are available online. Fingerprint-based searches require submission of a fingerprint card.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Harris County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $1.00 | Standard per-page rate under Texas Local Government Code § 118.011 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 (first page), $1.00 each additional page | Per Texas Local Government Code § 118.011 |
| Texas DPS name-based criminal history (public) | $3.00 | Online through the DPS Crime Records portal |
| Texas DPS fingerprint-based criminal history | Varies (typically $24.95+) | Includes TXDPS and FBI processing; fees depend on purpose |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the District Clerk's office are often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days.
- Mail requests typically take 5–10 business days, depending on volume.
- Texas DPS online name-based searches return results almost immediately.
- Fingerprint-based background checks may take several weeks.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Harris County District Clerk or the Texas DPS before submitting your request.