Gonzales County Felony Records
Gonzales County felony records are filed and kept by the District Clerk's office in Gonzales, Texas. The 25th District Court handles all felony criminal cases for the county. This page covers how to find, access, and request copies of those public court records.
Gonzales County Overview
Gonzales County District Clerk
The Gonzales County District Clerk's office handles all felony criminal filings for the county. The office is located at the Gonzales County Courthouse, 414 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales, TX 78629. Phone: (830) 672-2801. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can search records by defendant name or cause number. Walk-in visits are accepted, and written mail requests are also processed.
The District Clerk maintains the official court file for every felony case from the point of filing through final disposition. The file includes the indictment or information, arraignment orders, motions, plea paperwork, trial records, and the final judgment. Once a case is closed, the file stays with the clerk permanently and remains accessible to the public unless a court seals it.
Gonzales County is in South Central Texas and has a mixed agricultural and oil-patch economy. The courthouse serves as the government hub for the county seat city of Gonzales. Cases from all parts of the county, including smaller communities like Cuero Road and Nixon, all funnel through this courthouse.
The Gonzales County official website provides contact information for county offices including the District Clerk.
The county website helps confirm current office hours and contact numbers before you make the trip to Gonzales.
Felony Cases in the 25th District Court
The 25th District Court serves Gonzales County along with several neighboring counties including Guadalupe, Lavaca, and Wilson. The judge rotates among courthouses in those counties. When in Gonzales County, all felony case proceedings take place at the courthouse in the city of Gonzales.
The 25th District Court handles the full range of felony case types: state jail felonies (180 days to 2 years), third-degree felonies (2 to 10 years), second-degree felonies (2 to 20 years), first-degree felonies (5 to 99 years or life), and capital felonies (life or death). Each case is indexed and filed with the District Clerk from arraignment through final judgment.
All felony cases become public record in Texas once filed, unless sealed by court order. Convictions, acquittals, dismissals, and deferred adjudication outcomes are all part of the court record under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. People who complete deferred adjudication may later seek a nondisclosure order to limit access to their record.
Note: Call the District Clerk ahead of time to confirm whether court is sitting in Gonzales on the day you plan to visit, as the 25th District Court rotates among multiple counties.
Searching Gonzales County Felony Records Online
The best starting point for online searches is the re:SearchTX statewide court portal. This official Texas judiciary system covers all 254 counties including Gonzales. It is free for basic case lookups and lets you search by party name, cause number, or attorney. Case status, party information, and some document images are available. The portal refreshes nightly.
For a full statewide criminal history check, use the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. Name-based searches cost $3 each and are useful for general research. Fingerprint-based searches through FAST provide more precise results and are required for formal background check purposes. You must create a free account on the DPS website before searching.
Some Texas counties use local online portals in addition to re:SearchTX. If Gonzales County has a local search portal, it may be linked from the county clerk or district clerk webpage. For the most current information on local access options, check the Gonzales County website or call the clerk's office directly.
Requesting Copies of Felony Records
Standard copy fees apply in Gonzales County. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus $5 per document for the certification. Name-based search fees without a cause number run $5 per name. These rates apply under the Texas Local Government Code across most district clerk offices.
To request copies by mail, write to the Gonzales County District Clerk, 414 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales, TX 78629. Include the defendant's full name, approximate year, and cause number if you have it. Send a money order for the estimated copy cost. The clerk will contact you if additional payment is needed or if the record cannot be located.
In-person visits during regular business hours are the quickest way to get copies. Bring photo ID. Staff can search the case management system while you wait. For older cases or large volumes of documents, it may help to call ahead so the clerk can pull the file before your arrival.
The Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552 requires governmental bodies to respond to records requests within 10 business days. Agencies that need more time or plan to withhold records must notify you and may seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General.
Statewide Resources for Gonzales County Cases
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search lists all people in Texas state prisons. You can search by name, TDCJ number, or SID number. Results show current facility, projected release date, and offense details. People convicted in Gonzales County and sent to TDCJ will appear in this system.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry, maintained by Texas DPS under Government Code Chapter 62, is searchable by county, zip code, or name. It covers all registered sex offenders in Gonzales County with name, address, date of birth, and offense information.
If you need to clear a record in Gonzales County, expunction is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Cases dismissed, resulting in acquittal, or never prosecuted may qualify. Certain deferred adjudication completions may qualify for a nondisclosure order. The District Clerk can provide the petition forms needed to start either process.
The Texas Office of Court Administration publishes annual caseload reports for all 254 Texas counties, giving a statistical picture of felony filings and dispositions in Gonzales County each year.
Nearby Counties
Gonzales County is in South Central Texas. Records for neighboring counties can be found at the links below.