Search Ellis County Felony Records

Ellis County felony records are filed and maintained by the District Clerk at the Ellis County Courthouse in Waxahachie. The District Clerk handles all felony criminal cases that go through the county's district courts, keeping records of indictments, hearings, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. You can search for Ellis County felony cases online through re:SearchTX or visit the courthouse in person. Ellis County is located south of Dallas and has seen significant population growth in recent years as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

Ellis County District Clerk

The Ellis County District Clerk is the custodian of all district court records in the county. For felony cases, the District Clerk files and dockets all documents from the first charge through final judgment. The office collects filing fees, manages jury duty, issues subpoenas and citations, and reports all felony case dispositions to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Ellis County has district courts that handle felony criminal cases along with civil, family, and juvenile matters. The courts serve Waxahachie and all communities throughout the county. Cases are assigned to courts based on the type of matter and the filing date. The District Clerk's office can tell you which court your case is in and what documents are on file.

The Ellis County Clerk handles misdemeanor criminal cases, probate, and real property records. The two offices are separate. Make sure you contact the right one based on what you need. Felony cases go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanor cases go to the County Clerk.

Finding Ellis County Felony Case Records

There are a few ways to search for felony records in Ellis County. Start online if you just need case status or basic details. Go in person if you need copies or certified documents.

The statewide re:SearchTX portal covers Ellis County. Search by party name or cause number. The system returns basic case information including the parties, charge type, filing date, and case status. Some document images are available with a paid subscription. Free searches show the case summary without full document access.

In-person searches at the District Clerk's office let you see the full case file. Bring the person's name and, if possible, the year the case was filed or the cause number. Staff can locate the file and pull documents. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. If you need a certified copy, add $5.00 per document. A research fee of $5.00 applies when the clerk must search for a cause number on your behalf.

Texas DPS also maintains a statewide criminal history database. Visit dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records for details on name-based searches, which cost $3.00 and cover felony convictions across all Texas counties including Ellis.

For inmates currently in a Texas state prison following an Ellis County conviction, use the TDCJ offender search at offender.tdcj.texas.gov. Search by name or TDCJ number to find housing unit, offense, and projected release information.

Ellis County Felony Records: What's Inside

When a felony charge is filed in Ellis County, it creates a court case file that stays open until the case is closed. Every document filed in that case becomes part of the permanent record. The file is public unless the court orders it sealed.

Ellis County felony records include the indictment from the grand jury, which lists the specific charge and the facts supporting it. The file also shows whether the person was arrested, what bond was set, and any conditions attached to release. Motions filed by the defense and prosecution are part of the record, along with the court's rulings on those motions. If the case went to trial, the record includes the verdict and any sentencing information. Plea agreements, when filed, are also public documents.

What you find in an Ellis County felony case file:

• Grand jury indictment or criminal information
• Arrest report and bond information
• Pre-trial motions and court orders
• Any plea agreement
• Judgment and sentence
• Probation or community supervision terms
• Appeal records if applicable

Note: Records for juvenile defendants are sealed and cannot be accessed by the public. Expunged records no longer appear in public searches.

State-Level Tools for Ellis County Records

Beyond the county courthouse, two state tools are useful for searching Ellis County felony records. Both are free to use for basic searches.

Re:SearchTX at research.txcourts.gov is the Texas Judicial Branch's official portal for court case lookups. It covers district court cases from Ellis County and most other Texas counties. You can search by name, cause number, or attorney. The portal shows case type, filing date, parties, and current status. Document images are available for some cases but require paid access for full viewing.

The TDCJ Offender Search at offender.tdcj.texas.gov shows current and recently released inmates in Texas state prisons. If someone was convicted of a felony in Ellis County and sent to a state facility, they should appear here. Search by name or TDCJ number. The result page shows the offense, unit, sentence length, and expected release.

Texas DPS handles certified criminal history records. These reports cover all counties in Texas and are used for background check purposes by authorized parties. The public can request a name-based criminal history for $3.00 through the DPS website at dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records.

Cities in Ellis County

Ellis County includes several cities and communities. All felony cases from these areas are handled through the Ellis County District Court in Waxahachie.

Cities in Ellis County include Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian, Red Oak, Ferris, Palmer, Maypearl, Italy, and others. None of these cities currently have individual records pages. All felony filings go through the county court system.

Nearby Counties

Ellis County borders several counties in the DFW area. Check the county where the offense occurred to find the right court.