Cottle County Felony Records
Cottle County felony records are kept by the District Clerk in Paducah, Texas, and cover all criminal cases filed with the district court serving this small northwest Texas county. This page explains how to search these records, who maintains them, and how to get copies.
Cottle County Overview
Cottle County District Clerk
The Cottle County District Clerk's office is located at the Cottle County Courthouse in Paducah, Texas. This office is the official custodian of all felony case records in the county. The District Clerk files and indexes all criminal cases that come before the district court, including indictments, plea documents, court orders, and final judgments. The office also handles civil, family law, and juvenile filings.
Cottle County is one of the least populous counties in Texas, so the courthouse staff is small. The District Clerk may handle multiple functions. If you have a case to look up, having the cause number or the defendant's full name will help staff locate records quickly. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and whether the documents you need are physically on site.
Standard Texas fees apply for copies. Plain copies are $1 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $5 per document. A $5 research fee applies if staff must search for a cause number without one being provided. Payment is usually cash or money order at small rural offices. Call to ask about card payment availability.
The Cottle County official website provides contact details for the District Clerk and other county offices.
The county site lists office contacts, courthouse location, and basic information about county services including the court system.
District Court and Felony Jurisdiction
The 50th Judicial District Court has jurisdiction over Cottle County. This court hears all felony criminal cases in the county along with civil cases, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings. In a county as small as Cottle, the same district court may also serve one or more neighboring counties on a rotating schedule. Court sessions may be held less frequently than in larger counties.
Texas felonies run from state jail felonies at the lower end (180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility) through third-degree (2 to 10 years), second-degree (2 to 20 years), first-degree (5 to 99 years), and capital felonies which can result in life in prison or death. Common felony types in rural Texas counties include drug offenses, theft by check or property crimes, assault, and firearms violations. All case records are public and held by the District Clerk.
After each case closes, the District Clerk reports the disposition to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which updates the statewide Computerized Criminal History database. This is how felony convictions from Cottle County become part of a person's statewide criminal history record.
Note: If a case involves a defendant from another county or involves charges that cross jurisdictional lines, the venue question may affect which county maintains the records. The District Clerk's office can clarify where a specific case is filed.
Searching Cottle County Records Online
The best free online resource for Cottle County felony case lookups is the re:SearchTX statewide portal. This system covers all 254 Texas counties. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Basic case information is free. Document images may require a subscription or an in-person request at the courthouse.
For a statewide criminal history check that goes beyond just court records, use the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. Name-based searches cost $3 per name and cover all counties in Texas. The system captures arrests and dispositions for Class B misdemeanors and higher. A fingerprint search is more accurate and is recommended when results need to be used officially.
The TDCJ Offender Search is free and shows current inmates in state prisons, including those sentenced from Cottle County cases. The Texas Sex Offender Registry lists all registered sex offenders and is searchable by county name or zip code.
Getting Copies of Felony Records
To get copies of Cottle County felony records, you can visit the courthouse in person or send a written request by mail. The courthouse is at the Cottle County Courthouse in Paducah, TX 79248. Call ahead to confirm the District Clerk's current hours before visiting.
When you request records, provide the cause number if you have it. If not, give the defendant's full name and approximate filing year. The clerk will charge $1 per page for copies and $5 per document for certification on top of the per-page fee. If a search is needed to find the case, add $5 to your estimate for the research fee.
For mail requests, include a written description of what you need, the case information, your contact details, and a check or money order for the estimated fee. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope for return copies. Mail to: Cottle County District Clerk, Cottle County Courthouse, Paducah, TX 79248. Allow 5 to 10 business days for a response.
Public Information Requests
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act, all government bodies in Texas must respond to records requests within 10 business days. This applies to the Cottle County District Clerk, Sheriff, and other county offices. If a response cannot be made within 10 days, the office must notify the requester of when the records will be available or whether they intend to seek an exception from the Attorney General.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government resources explain your rights under this law and how to escalate if a government body does not respond. The Open Government Hotline at (877) OPEN-TEX can help with specific questions about what records must be released.
Expunctions and Record Clearing
If a Cottle County felony arrest did not lead to a conviction or the case was dismissed, the person may be eligible for expunction under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. An expunction petition is filed with the District Clerk and heard by the district court. If granted, the record is destroyed and cannot be used against the person.
Orders of Nondisclosure are available for certain deferred adjudication cases where the person completed probation successfully. The record is not destroyed but is sealed from public view. Forms for both processes are available from the District Clerk's office or from the Texas Office of Court Administration. Free self-help guides are available at TexasLawHelp.org.
Nearby Counties
Cottle County is in northwest Texas near the Red River. Neighboring counties maintain separate felony records offices.