Gaines County Felony Records
Gaines County felony records are filed and maintained by the District Clerk's office in Seminole, Texas. The 106th District Court handles all felony criminal cases in the county. This page explains how to find, access, and request those public court records.
Gaines County Overview
Gaines County District Clerk
The Gaines County District Clerk's office is the official keeper of all felony case records filed in the county. The office is located at the Gaines County Courthouse, 101 S. Main Street, Seminole, TX 79360. Phone: (432) 758-4013. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can search records by defendant name or cause number. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours, and written requests by mail are also accepted.
The District Clerk files all felony indictments, arraignment orders, plea agreements, trial records, and final judgments. Once a case is filed, the clerk assigns it a cause number and maintains the official court file. That file stays with the clerk's office permanently, even after the case closes. If you need a copy of a judgment or an order from a completed case, the District Clerk is the right office to contact.
Gaines County is an oil-producing county in West Texas. The local population is relatively small, so the clerk's office handles a manageable caseload and staff can often help walk-in visitors quickly. Bring as much identifying information as possible when you visit, including the defendant's full name and approximate case year.
The Gaines County official website lists contact details for county offices, including the District Clerk.
The county website provides links to department contacts and can help you confirm office hours before making the drive to Seminole.
Felony Cases in the 106th District Court
The 106th District Court has jurisdiction over Gaines County. All felony criminal cases filed in Gaines County are heard before this court. The 106th also serves Garza County, so the judge rotates between Seminole and Post. Felony case types range from state jail felonies to capital felonies under the Texas Penal Code.
State jail felonies carry 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility. Third-degree felonies bring 2 to 10 years in prison. Second-degree felonies run 2 to 20 years. First-degree felonies carry 5 to 99 years or life. Capital felonies may result in life without parole or the death penalty. All of these case types go through the 106th District Court when filed in Gaines County. The District Clerk indexes every case and keeps the official record from filing through final disposition.
Felony cases become public record in Texas once filed unless sealed by a court order. Convictions, acquittals, dismissals, and deferred adjudication outcomes are all part of the public court record under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. Deferred adjudication cases that are successfully completed may later qualify for a nondisclosure order, which limits who can see the record.
Note: Call the District Clerk ahead of your visit to confirm scheduled court dates in Seminole, as the 106th District Court rotates between Gaines and Garza Counties.
Searching Gaines County Felony Records Online
The main tool for online searches is the re:SearchTX statewide court portal. This system covers all 254 Texas counties and is free for basic case lookups. You can search by party name, cause number, or attorney name. The data refreshes nightly, so very recent filings may not appear right away. Document image access for older or sealed cases may require a subscription or in-person visit.
Re:SearchTX is operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It lets you view case status, party names, hearing dates, and some filed documents. For Gaines County cases, the statewide portal is often the fastest option for remote searches. The system covers felony, civil, family, and juvenile cases from all district courts across Texas.
For a statewide criminal history check, visit the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. You need to create a free account first. Name-based searches cost $3 each and are useful for general reference. Fingerprint-based searches through FAST are more precise and required for formal background check purposes like professional licensing.
Requesting Copies of Felony Records
Standard copy fees in Gaines County follow Texas law. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies run $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. Name-based searches without a cause number cost $5 per name searched. These fees apply across most Texas district clerks under the Texas Local Government Code.
To get copies by mail, send a written request to the Gaines County District Clerk at 101 S. Main Street, Seminole, TX 79360. Include the defendant's full name, approximate year of the case, and the cause number if you have it. Include a money order for the estimated copy cost. The clerk will contact you if additional payment is needed.
In-person searches are available during regular business hours. The clerk's office can search the county's case management system while you wait. Bring valid photo ID. Walk-in visits during slow periods may be handled quickly, but it is a good idea to call ahead during busy times. Free public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for self-service searches.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552, government bodies must respond to public records requests within 10 business days. If they need more time or plan to withhold records, they must notify you and may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Statewide Tools for Gaines County Cases
Several state resources help with Gaines County felony research. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search covers all people currently in Texas state prisons. You can search by name, TDCJ number, or SID. The results show current facility, projected release date, and offense information for state inmates.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by county, city, zip code, or name. It covers all registered sex offenders in Gaines County and is maintained by Texas DPS under Government Code Chapter 62. Registration records include name, date of birth, address, and offense details.
If you are looking to clear a record in Gaines County, expunction is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Cases dismissed, resulting in acquittal, or never prosecuted may be eligible. Orders of Nondisclosure are available for certain deferred adjudication cases under Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1. The District Clerk in Seminole can provide petition forms for both processes.
The Texas State Law Library criminal records guide gives plain-language explanations of how to access criminal history in Texas, what records are public, and how to use the various state databases.
Gaines County Sheriff's Office
The Gaines County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The sheriff's office makes felony arrests and transports defendants to the county jail for booking and processing. Jail booking records are public information in Texas and can be requested from the sheriff's office. For active warrant information or to check whether someone is in the Gaines County Jail, contact the sheriff's office directly at the courthouse in Seminole.
Arrest records from the sheriff's office are separate from court records but both are part of the public record for any felony case. The sheriff's office books the defendant; the District Clerk maintains the court file. If you need both the arrest record and the court case file, you may need to contact both offices. Warrant information issued by the district court may also appear in re:SearchTX once entered into the system.
The Texas Office of Court Administration publishes annual statistical reports on felony caseloads by county, including Gaines County. These reports break down case types and dispositions across all 254 Texas counties.
Nearby Counties
Gaines County is in the South Plains region of West Texas. Felony records for neighboring counties can be found through their respective pages.