Dimmit County Felony Records
Dimmit County felony records are filed and maintained by the District Clerk in Carrizo Springs. If you need to search criminal cases, look up a conviction, or get copies of court documents, the District Clerk is your starting point. Records from both active and closed felony cases are available to the public under Texas law, and the statewide re:SearchTX portal offers online access to case filings across all 254 Texas counties including Dimmit.
Dimmit County Overview
Dimmit County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office in Carrizo Springs holds all felony case records for Dimmit County. This includes indictments, plea records, sentencing documents, and final judgments for felony cases filed in the district court. The clerk is a custodian of the record and is required by Texas law to maintain these files and make them available to the public during regular business hours.
The District Clerk's Office is located at the Dimmit County Courthouse, 406 Cotula Ave., Carrizo Springs, TX 78834. The phone number is (830) 876-3569. Staff can help you search case files by name or case number. If you need certified copies of court documents, staff can process that request in person or by mail. Bring valid ID when visiting the office. Payment is typically required for copies at the time of the request.
Note: For questions about pending cases or hearing dates, contact the District Clerk directly rather than relying solely on online portals, as data may not reflect same-day updates.
Search Dimmit County Felony Cases Online
The re:SearchTX portal is the official statewide court records system for Texas. It covers all 254 counties, including Dimmit, and allows you to search by case number, party name, hearing date, or filing type. The system is maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It is free to register but some document access may require a subscription. Case data is refreshed nightly, so it may not show same-day filings.
The Texas DPS also operates the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This database is separate from court records. It pulls together arrest, prosecution, and disposition data from law enforcement and court agencies statewide. Name-based searches are available to the public for a small fee per search. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and typically used for official background checks.
For inmates currently in state custody, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) maintains a public offender search tool. You can look up current incarceration status, projected release dates, and offense details for people serving state prison sentences. TDCJ records cover felony offenders sentenced to state supervision or a state facility.
The Texas Office of Court Administration publishes annual statistical reports that include county-level data on felony case filings and dispositions. These reports show how many felony cases were filed each year in each county, broken down by offense level.
Felony Offense Levels in Texas
Texas divides felonies into five levels. Each level carries a different sentencing range. Knowing the level helps you understand what kind of case appears in Dimmit County felony records. The levels are set out in the Texas Penal Code and apply statewide.
Capital felonies are the most serious. They carry life in prison or the death penalty. First-degree felonies carry 5 to 99 years or life and a fine up to $10,000. Second-degree felonies carry 2 to 20 years. Third-degree felonies carry 2 to 10 years. State jail felonies carry 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility. All of these are tried in district court, and all result in records maintained by the Dimmit County District Clerk.
Common felony offense types in rural Texas counties include drug possession and distribution, theft over $2,500, burglary, assault causing serious injury, and driving while intoxicated with prior convictions. Each of these falls into one of the five felony levels depending on the facts and priors.
Texas Public Information Act and Record Access
Most Dimmit County felony records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act. This law gives members of the public the right to ask for government records and get a response within 10 business days. If a governmental body wants to withhold records, it must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government division handles those requests and publishes guidance for the public.
Court records are governed by separate rules in addition to the Public Information Act. Access to court case files is set by Texas court rules and statute. Most criminal court records are public from the time of indictment through final disposition. Juvenile records are generally confidential. Sealed records require a court order to access.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, criminal history record information maintained by DPS is generally confidential but the public may access conviction records and deferred adjudication information through authorized channels. This is separate from the court file maintained by the clerk.
Expunctions and Nondisclosure in Dimmit County
Some people with felony records in Dimmit County may be eligible to have those records cleared or sealed. Texas law provides two main mechanisms: expunction and nondisclosure.
Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 allows for the complete destruction of criminal records in cases where a person was acquitted, the case was dismissed, or the person received a pardon. If a court grants an expunction, agencies must destroy or return the records. The person can then legally deny the arrest ever occurred.
An Order of Nondisclosure seals the record from public view but does not destroy it. Government agencies can still access sealed records. Eligibility depends on the offense type and whether probation was completed. Not all felony convictions qualify. An attorney familiar with Texas expunction law can advise on whether a case qualifies. The District Clerk's office can also provide information on the filing process for expunction petitions in Dimmit County.
Sex Offender Registry for Dimmit County
The Texas DPS maintains a statewide Sex Offender Registry that is searchable by name, city, county, and zip code. Many sex offense cases originate as felony charges and result in mandatory registration. The registry lists offenders who are required to register under state law, along with offense details and registration status.
Dimmit County sex offenders who are registered with the state appear in the DPS registry. Local law enforcement is responsible for registering offenders and verifying their current addresses. Failure to register is itself a felony offense under Texas law.
Getting Copies of Dimmit County Court Records
To get copies of Dimmit County felony records, visit the District Clerk's office at the courthouse in Carrizo Springs. You can also submit a written request by mail. Include your name and contact information, the case number or party name you are looking for, and the type of documents you need. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee.
Research fees may apply if you do not have a case number and the clerk must search by name. Texas Local Government Code Section 118.011 authorizes clerks to charge fees for record searches, copies, and certifications. Cash, credit cards, and money orders are typically accepted. Contact the office in advance to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods.
For statewide criminal history reports from DPS, the fee is $1 per name-based search credit through the CRS public website. Fingerprint-based searches cost more and require scheduling through the Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) program. These are separate from records held by the District Clerk.
Nearby Counties
Dimmit County is surrounded by several other South Texas counties. Each maintains its own felony records through its district clerk.