Hale County Felony Records
Hale County felony records are filed and kept by the District Clerk in Plainview, Texas. The 64th District Court handles all felony criminal cases in the county. This page explains how to access those records, request copies, and use online search tools.
Hale County Overview
Hale County District Clerk
The Hale County District Clerk's office is at the Hale County Courthouse, 500 Broadway, Plainview, TX 79072. Phone: (806) 291-5226. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The District Clerk files all felony indictments, maintains official case files, and provides copies of records on request. Staff can search by defendant name or cause number. Walk-in visits and mail requests are both accepted.
Plainview is the county seat and main population center for Hale County in the Texas South Plains. The county has an agricultural economy centered on cotton production. The District Clerk keeps all felony case records from arraignment through final judgment and beyond. If you need records from an older case, the clerk can search historical files going back decades.
Hale County is a mid-sized Plains county. The office staff can handle routine records requests efficiently. Bringing the defendant's full name, approximate year, and cause number if available will help the search go faster. For large document requests or complex file reviews, call ahead to allow the clerk time to prepare materials.
Note: The Hale County website at hale.co.tx.us may have certificate validity issues depending on browser settings. Use the phone number above to confirm office hours and contact details before visiting.
Felony Cases in the 64th District Court
The 64th District Court handles all felony criminal cases filed in Hale County. The court also serves other South Plains counties. When sitting in Plainview, proceedings take place at the Hale County Courthouse. The District Clerk assigns cause numbers and keeps the official court record for each case.
Felony case levels under the Texas Penal Code range from state jail felonies (180 days to 2 years) through third-degree (2 to 10 years), second-degree (2 to 20 years), first-degree (5 to 99 years or life), and capital felonies (life or death). All of these types are heard in the 64th District Court when filed in Hale County. The clerk maintains these records permanently.
All felony cases filed in Hale County are public record unless sealed by court order. Convictions, acquittals, dismissals, and deferred adjudication outcomes are accessible under Texas Government Code Chapter 411. People who complete deferred adjudication may later seek a nondisclosure order to restrict public access to their record.
Note: The 64th District Court may rotate among counties, so call the Hale County District Clerk to confirm scheduled court dates in Plainview before traveling.
Searching Hale County Felony Records Online
The re:SearchTX statewide court portal is the best online tool for Hale County felony record searches. It covers all 254 Texas counties and is free for basic lookups. Search by party name, cause number, or attorney name. Case status, party information, and hearing dates are visible. Some document images may also be available. The portal updates nightly.
For statewide criminal history checks, use the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. Name-based searches cost $3 each. Create a free account on the DPS website first. Fingerprint-based FAST searches are more precise and required for formal background check purposes. The DPS system covers criminal history across all Texas counties going back many years.
Hale County may not have a local online court portal. For remote searches, re:SearchTX is usually the most reliable option for South Plains counties. If you need older records that may not be in the digital system, an in-person or mail request to the District Clerk in Plainview is the way to go.
Requesting Copies of Felony Records
Copy fees in Hale County follow Texas law. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies run $1 per page plus $5 per document for the certification. Name-based search fees without a cause number are $5 per name. Payment is accepted by cash, money order, and cashier's check. Call to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted.
For mail requests, write to Hale County District Clerk, 500 Broadway, Plainview, TX 79072. Include the defendant's full name, approximate case year, and cause number if available. Include a money order for the estimated copy cost. The clerk will contact you if more payment is needed or the record is not available.
Walk-in visits during regular hours are the fastest option. Bring photo ID. For older or bulky files, calling ahead is recommended. Free self-service search terminals may be available at the courthouse for public use.
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 request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Statewide Resources for Hale County Cases
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search covers all people in Texas state prisons. Search by name, TDCJ number, or SID. Results include current facility, projected release date, and offense information. People convicted in Hale County and transferred to TDCJ will appear in this system.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry lists all registered sex offenders in Hale County. It is searchable by county, zip code, or name and is maintained by Texas DPS under Government Code Chapter 62. Searches are free. Records include name, date of birth, current address, and offense details.
For expunctions in Hale County, the process is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. For nondisclosure orders, see Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1. The District Clerk in Plainview can provide petition forms. The Texas State Law Library criminal records guide has plain-language explanations of both processes.
Nearby Counties
Hale County is in the Texas South Plains. Records for neighboring counties are available at the links below.