Castro County Felony Records
Castro County felony records are kept by the District Clerk's Office in Dimmitt, Texas. The 64th District Court handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. This page covers how to search, request, and access these public records through local and state resources.
Castro County Overview
Castro County District Clerk
The Castro County District Clerk's Office is located at the Castro County Courthouse in Dimmitt, Texas. The District Clerk is the official custodian of all felony criminal case records in the county. This office files and indexes indictments, manages case files from arraignment through final disposition, and provides copies of court documents to the public. If you need to track a specific case, having the defendant's full name or a cause number will speed up any search.
Castro County is a small rural county in the Texas Panhandle. Cases are heard by the 64th District Court, which also serves Hale, Swisher, and Hockley Counties at various times during the year. The District Clerk reports all felony convictions to the Texas Department of Public Safety as required by state law. That reporting creates the criminal history database used for background checks statewide.
You can call the Castro County Courthouse at (806) 647-3338 to reach the District Clerk's Office. Office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though hours may vary. Bring valid ID when visiting in person to request records.
The Castro County official website provides contact information and access to county offices including the District Clerk.
The county site lists department contacts, courthouse hours, and links to online services available for public records searches.
Castro County Felony Cases and the 64th District Court
All felony criminal cases in Castro County go through the 64th District Court. This court has jurisdiction over the full range of felony offenses under the Texas Penal Code, from state jail felonies up through capital cases. The judge presiding over the 64th District Court sits in Castro County on a rotating basis, as the court also serves neighboring counties in the region.
Texas law divides felonies into five levels. Capital felonies are the most serious and can result in death or life without parole. First-degree felonies carry a sentence of 5 to 99 years or life, plus a fine of up to $10,000. Second-degree felonies run 2 to 20 years. Third-degree felonies carry 2 to 10 years. State jail felonies result in 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility. Each of these case types is filed with the District Clerk and becomes part of the county's permanent criminal record index.
From the time a grand jury indictment is returned, the District Clerk creates a case file that tracks every step of the proceeding. Documents in that file include the indictment, any motions, plea papers or trial records, and the final judgment. All of that is public unless a court orders otherwise.
Note: The 64th District Court rotates across multiple counties. Check with the District Clerk to confirm when the court next sits in Castro County for any pending case.
Searching Castro County Criminal Records Online
The main tool for searching Castro County felony records online is the re:SearchTX portal operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration. This statewide system covers all 254 Texas counties including Castro. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Basic case information is free. Access to scanned documents may require creating a free account or paying a per-document fee.
To search re:SearchTX for a Castro County case, select Castro County from the county list when prompted. The system will return case results showing the cause number, filing date, charges, and current case status. You can click into individual cases to see docket entries and, in many cases, party information and court dates. This is the fastest way to confirm whether a specific felony case exists in the county.
For older records not available online, you can contact the District Clerk's Office directly. Staff can conduct manual searches for a fee. The standard Texas copy rate is $1 per page for plain copies and $5 for certification. A research fee of $5 per name may also apply if no cause number is provided.
The Texas DPS Crime Records Service offers name-based criminal history searches for $3 per search. These results draw from conviction data reported statewide, not just Castro County. A fingerprint-based search provides more accurate results for formal purposes. Both require a CRS Public Website Account.
Note: Re:SearchTX is the preferred starting point for any online search. It is free, statewide, and updated regularly with new case data from all Texas district courts.
How to Request Castro County Felony Records
To get copies of felony records from Castro County, you have three options: in person, by mail, or through the online portal where available. In-person requests are processed fastest. Go to the Castro County Courthouse in Dimmitt and ask the District Clerk for the records you need. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up cases by name or cause number and provide copies on the spot.
Mail requests require a written letter stating the name of the defendant, the approximate filing date, the cause number if known, and the type of documents needed. Include payment for copy fees. Send the request to the Castro County District Clerk at the Castro County Courthouse, Dimmitt, TX 79027. Allow extra time for mail processing. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and may take longer to produce.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act gives the public the right to ask for and receive government records. Government bodies must respond within 10 business days. Most felony case records are public. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed files, and records subject to expunction orders.
Statewide Tools for Castro County Records
Several state-level systems provide information that complements local Castro County records. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search lists people currently in TDCJ custody. You can search by name, TDCJ number, or SID number. Results show the current facility, projected release date, and offense type. This is useful when you need to confirm whether someone convicted of a felony in Castro County is still incarcerated.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by county, city, or zip code. It shows all registered sex offenders in Castro County with current address information, offense history, and compliance status. This database is maintained by the Texas DPS and updated regularly.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government section explains how to submit public information requests if a local office does not respond or denies access. The AG's Office provides guidance on what records must be made available and can assist when disputes arise over public records access.
Expunctions and Nondisclosure in Castro County
People with felony records in Castro County may be eligible to have records expunged or sealed under Texas law. An expunction under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure removes the record entirely. Eligibility is limited to cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or where the statute of limitations ran without charges being filed.
Orders of Nondisclosure are available for certain deferred adjudication cases under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. If granted, the record is sealed from most public access though law enforcement can still see it. Not all offenses qualify. Violent crimes, family violence, and certain sex offenses are generally excluded from nondisclosure eligibility.
The Castro County District Clerk can provide the appropriate forms for expunction petitions. The petition must be filed in the same court that handled the original case. Texas Law Help at texaslawhelp.org has free guides for self-represented individuals who want to pursue expunction or nondisclosure without an attorney.
Nearby Counties
Castro County shares borders with several other Panhandle counties. Felony records for neighboring areas can be found through their county pages.