Find Felony Records in Gillespie County

Gillespie County felony records are maintained by the District Clerk in Fredericksburg, Texas. This office handles all criminal case filings, court documents, and records requests for serious offenses processed in the county's district court. If you need to search a specific case or obtain certified copies, the District Clerk is your starting point. Online tools from the Texas Judicial Branch also cover Gillespie County cases through the statewide re:SearchTX portal.

Gillespie County District Clerk

The Gillespie County District Clerk is located at the Gillespie County Courthouse, 101 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624. The main line is (830) 997-6515. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The District Clerk handles all felony criminal case records, including filings, judgments, and appeals. When a felony case is filed in Gillespie County, all case documents, orders, and final dispositions are kept in the District Clerk's office.

Felony cases in Gillespie County go before the 216th District Court. This court serves Gillespie and several surrounding counties in the judicial district. Felony cases include all crimes punishable by more than a year in state prison or a state jail facility. The District Clerk can confirm which court heard a case and pull documents on request. Certified copies of case documents cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. A record search carries a $5 fee.

The County Clerk, also at the courthouse, handles misdemeanor cases and county court records. For any serious criminal offense, the District Clerk is the right contact.

Online Case Search for Gillespie County

The Texas Judicial Branch provides the re:SearchTX statewide portal for court records. This system includes Gillespie County cases. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. The portal displays case details, scheduled hearings, and filed documents. Free registration gives basic access. Some document downloads require a subscription. Records are refreshed nightly rather than in real time. The system is the best free starting point for most people researching Gillespie County felony cases.

The Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History system (CCH) provides statewide criminal history data. It covers all Class B misdemeanors and above from every county in Texas. To search, create a free account and purchase search credits. A name plus date of birth improves accuracy since name-based searches can match multiple people. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, criminal history record information is defined and regulated. Deferred adjudication and conviction records are public information under Texas law.

Gillespie County Sheriff and Jail Records

The Gillespie County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and operates the county jail. The Sheriff can be reached at (830) 997-7585. People awaiting trial on felony charges are typically held in the county jail. Jail rosters and booking records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. You can request these records by calling the Sheriff's Office or submitting a written request.

Arrest records are separate from conviction records. An arrest record shows that a person was taken into custody and booked on charges. It does not mean a conviction occurred. The Texas Attorney General's office enforces the Public Information Act and provides guidance to requestors whose requests are denied. The Open Government section of the AG's website explains your rights and the deadlines agencies must meet when responding to public records requests.

Note: Governmental bodies must respond to records requests within ten business days under state law.

TDCJ Offender Search

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search allows you to find individuals serving time in Texas state prisons. You can search by name, TDCJ number, or SID. The database shows current facility, projected release date, physical description, and offense information including prior convictions. Individuals from Gillespie County convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison appear in this system.

State jail felony sentences are served in state jail facilities, not TDCJ prisons. Those offenders may not appear in the TDCJ offender search. The TDCJ also maintains death row information and a list of scheduled executions. This data is public and free to access online.

Sex Offender Registry

Registered sex offenders in Gillespie County appear on the Texas Sex Offender Registry. The DPS operates this statewide database under Government Code Chapter 62. You can search by name, address, city, or county. Results include photos, offense details, and risk level. The Gillespie County Sheriff's Office and Fredericksburg Police Department are responsible for registering offenders locally and verifying addresses. Failure to register is a criminal offense under Texas law.

Texas Felony Law and Record Access

Texas Penal Code sets felony sentence ranges by degree. Capital felonies carry life or death. First-degree: 5 to 99 years or life. Second-degree: 2 to 20 years. Third-degree: 2 to 10 years. State jail felonies: 180 days to 2 years. These levels apply to all cases in Gillespie County just as they do statewide. The level of the offense determines which court handles the case and where the sentence is served.

Some people convicted of felonies seek to clear their records later. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 covers expunctions. Expunctions are only available in limited circumstances, generally when charges were dismissed or the person was found not guilty. Deferred adjudication cases may qualify for an order of nondisclosure under Government Code Sections 411.071 through 411.081, which restricts but does not fully erase public access.

The Texas State Law Library offers a free online guide on criminal records. It explains the difference between name-based and fingerprint-based searches, how to request court records, and the legal process for sealing or expunging records. This is a reliable resource for anyone who wants to understand the full landscape of Texas criminal records access.

The Office of Court Administration also publishes yearly statistics on felony case filings across all Texas counties. These reports show how many cases were filed, how they were resolved, and average processing times. Gillespie County data is included in the statewide reports.

Nearby Counties

Counties adjacent to Gillespie County each maintain their own felony records through their local District Clerk offices.

• Kerr County - to the west
• Kendall County - to the southeast
• Blanco County - to the east
• Llano County - to the northeast
• Mason County - to the north