Duval County Felony Records Search
Duval County felony records are filed with the District Clerk in San Diego, Texas. The clerk keeps records for all felony cases processed through the district court, from the initial indictment through sentencing and appeal. If you want to look up a case, search by name online through re:SearchTX, or visit the courthouse in person. The Texas Public Information Act makes most criminal court records available to anyone who requests them.
Duval County Overview
Duval County District Clerk
The District Clerk's Office at the Duval County Courthouse in San Diego handles all felony criminal case filings. The office is responsible for filing indictments, maintaining case files, issuing court process, and recording final judgments. It is also the office you contact when requesting copies of court documents.
The courthouse is located at 400 E. Gravis Ave., San Diego, TX 78384. Phone: (361) 279-3322. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In-person visits are the most direct way to access records. Bring a case number if you have one. If you only have a name, staff can perform a name search for a small fee. Certified copies are $1 per page plus $5 per document for the certification stamp.
Duval County is in the 229th Judicial District, which serves this county alone. The district court handles all felony cases as well as civil suits, family law, and delinquent tax matters.
Searching Duval County Felony Records Online
The re:SearchTX portal is the statewide court records search system for Texas. It covers Duval County along with all other Texas counties. Search by case number, party name, or hearing date. The portal is run by the Texas Office of Court Administration and is free to register. Document access may require a subscription. Data updates nightly.
The Duval County government website at www.co.duval.tx.us provides access to local government information and contacts for county offices. For direct case searches, re:SearchTX is the better tool. The county site is useful for finding phone numbers and office hours before visiting in person.
The screenshot below is from the Duval County official website. It shows the county government portal where residents can find contact information for the district clerk and other public offices.
Use this site to confirm current office hours and contact information before submitting a records request.
Texas DPS Criminal History System
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This is a separate resource from the district court records. The CCH compiles arrest, prosecution, and disposition data reported by agencies throughout the state. It covers Class B misdemeanors and higher, which includes all felony levels.
To search the CCH as a member of the public, you create an account on the CRS public website and buy search credits at $1 each. You enter first and last name plus a date of birth to run a name-based search. These searches are not guaranteed to be exact. A fingerprint-based search is the only method that ties a record to a specific person with certainty. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, conviction and deferred adjudication records are considered public information.
Note: The CCH shows statewide criminal history from any Texas county, not just Duval. If you want only Duval County court records, use the District Clerk or re:SearchTX.
Felony Degrees and Sentences Under Texas Penal Code
Texas defines five degrees of felony. Capital felonies carry life in prison or the death penalty. First-degree felonies carry 5 to 99 years or life, with fines 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.
Every one of these offense levels is handled in district court. The District Clerk files the case when the grand jury returns an indictment. The file stays with the clerk through all hearings, the trial or plea, sentencing, and any post-conviction proceedings. Public access to these records is allowed under Texas court rules and the Public Information Act.
State jail felonies are a unique category in Texas. They were created in 1993 as an alternative to regular prisons for lower-level felony offenders. Common state jail felonies include small drug possession amounts, theft between $2,500 and $30,000, and certain repeat Class A misdemeanors.
TDCJ Offender Search and State Prison Records
If a person convicted of a felony in Duval County was sentenced to state prison, their record will show up in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender database. The search is free and available online. You can look up current facility, projected release date, and offense details. The database only covers those in state custody or on state supervision, not people in county jail or on county probation.
TDCJ also has detailed death row records going back to 1923. These include conviction details, execution dates for those who have been executed, and current status for those still on death row. This is all public information maintained by the state.
Sex Offender Registry and Public Safety Records
Texas DPS maintains the statewide Sex Offender Registry. You can search by name, county, city, or zip code. Offenders required to register under Texas Government Code Chapter 62 appear in the registry. Many sex offense cases begin as felony charges. The registry shows offense details, risk level, and registration status for each registered offender.
Local law enforcement in Duval County is responsible for registering offenders and keeping their information current. Failure to register as required is a separate felony offense under Texas law.
Nearby Counties
Duval County sits in South Texas near the border region. Neighboring counties maintain separate felony record systems.